In recent weeks, the mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, Michelle Wu, has been facing a public backlash after it was discovered that her administration had compiled a list of her detractors and submitted it to the police.
Her representative attempted to explain this action by saying that Wu had been harassed and intimidated for months outside her home however, many residents of Boston are still unhappy with this apparent attempt to silence her opposition.
Some people feel that these seemingly authoritarian methods were employed in order to quiet any voices speaking out against her agenda while others think it’s simply an effort to protect herself from potential threats.
No matter which side you fall on concerning this issue, one thing is certain – when a high profile politician like Michelle Wu takes steps such as these they will be subject to scrutiny and criticism from all sides.
Democrat Mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu's administration admits it sent a list of vocal critics to police https://t.co/kwkyOmv36f
— BlindOwl (@BlindOwl101) July 14, 2023
According to Fox News:
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, a Democrat, is facing criticism for “Nixonian tactics” after her administration admitted to creating a list of her most vocal critics and providing it to local authorities.
“The list was made in response to a request from the Boston Police Department after the Mayor had been harassed and physically intimidated by individuals for several months outside her home, at city functions such as the annual neighborhood parks coffee hours, and at other public events,” Wu spokesman Ricardo Patron said in a statement to the Boston Herald.
The acknowledgment by the administration that it had compiled the document came after the list was uncovered in an email obtained through a public records request by Wu’s opponents, the outlet noted.
The tactics used by the administration raise concern over whether Wu and her administration are attempting to silence or intimidate her critics, many of whom have protested outside of her home.
We're back to enemies' lists. But I'm sure she's the only one. 🙄🤦♂️
Boston mayor Michelle Wu under fire after sending list of critics and protesters to policehttps://t.co/2UcpAsEhCT
— 🇺🇸 The FJC 🇺🇸 (@The_FJC) July 15, 2023
Daily Mail added:
Boston’s Democrat Mayor Michelle Wu is drawing comparisons to disgraced former President Richard Nixon for compiling a list of her most vocal critics and sending it to the police.
Wu, the first woman and first person of color elected mayor of Beantown, admitted the list had been put together, but cited safety reasons and a request from Boston police, through a spokesperson.
‘The list was made in response to a request from the Boston Police Department after the Mayor had been harassed and physically intimidated by individuals for several months outside her home, at city functions such as the annual neighborhood parks coffee hours, and at other public events,’ Ricardo Patron said in a statement.
