May 2005 - Issue 6

Fort Healy will replace Central Square Police HQ

Suddenly, at the city council meeting on April 11, Cambridge City Manager Robert Healy announced a golden opportunity to secure a building in East Cambridge for a new police station.

Cops attacked Iraq protest in Boston

Sunday, March 20, 1:00, Boston Common: This feels like a resurgence, a return to the feeling of optimism, excitement and activity we haven’t much seen around here since last summer’s Democratic National Convention here in Boston.

Kevin Hill takes on Harvard University

The Middlesex Superior Court has allowed two motions by Harvard in Kevin Hill’s suit against the City of Cambridge over the university’s building plans in Riverside. Harvard, which was not named in the suit, may now intervene and is also assured of a "speedy trial."

The Loyal Opposition: the March 19 US antiwar protests

On the weekend of March 19, to mark the second anniversary of the beginning of the US war against Iraq, many well-meaning Americans responded to various calls, by various groups, for various reasons, to show opposition to Bush by protesting the war.

Second March to Abolish Poverty will end in Boston July 4

Join us in our second anti-poverty march across low-income Massachusetts. With the recession, budget cuts and the unwillingness of most elected officials to vote for progressive taxes, poverty in Massachusetts continues to worsen beyond our imagination.

Abolish the Dept. of Mental Health

On July 2, 2002 Boston Police shot and killed LaVeta Jackson in her home. She was accused of psychiatric illness. On July 15, 2002 Cambridge Police broke down the door of Daniel Furtado, and shot him dead in his home. He was accused of cutting a cable TV wire, a misdemeanor. Police had no warrant, nor a court order to enter his home. They accused him of psychiatric illness. Police brutalize persons accused of psychiatric illness because of their vulnerability.

W.R.Grace tries to sweep 500 tons of asbestos under our rug

The giant W. R. Grace chemical corporation owns an asbestos mine and factory in Libby, Montana. Over the years, asbestos-laden vermiculite ore contaminated much of the town and was responsible for the deaths of over 200 people and the asbestos-related injuries of another 1200 people.

Remembering Mary Shea

Mary was my friend. She called me her adopted son. I never corrected her on that score; although I tried to correct her on other scores, mostly to no avail.

Somerville police: 20-year-old HQ needs replacement

In Somerville, too, the police are looking for a new home, although the present Public Safety Building is less than 20 years old.

Somerville Gang Board goes forward as Cambridge moves to dismantle Police Review

The controversial Somerville gang ordinance has now been with us for one year. The Alders passed it last May, with only Denise Provost voting against. Somerville’s delegation in the Legislature is not so happy. Representatives Pat Jehlen and Carl Sciortino, and Senator Jarrett Barrios have all questioned the ordinance.

Bully pulpit or bull.... er.... um?

School Committee member Marc McGovern gave out copies of the "Cambridge Public Schools Anti-Bullying Policy," which states, "Bullying is aggressive, intentional, or deliberately hostile behavior, by a student(s) toward another student(s)." Did the City Council want to extend the policy to the entire city?

Afrikan Liberation Day May 21 2005

SET THE CAPTIVES FREE! The Boston Chapter of the Jericho Movement will present a day long event of hip hop, performance, speakers and discussion, and workshops. 

Life as I knew it: Homeless in Harvard Square

I don't know what it is, but there is just something that really draws me to Harvard Square late at night. During the day it's busy, crowded and full of shoppers. but after midnight when the stores close and public transit stops running it's like a totally different place.

Massachusetts' housing crisis—and the world's

A "crisis" usually means a temporary, unexpected condition. But the Massachusetts housing crisis is a more like a tradition.