The protesters disrupted a meeting about an amendment package to Mayor Michelle Wu’s $4.9 billion budget plan.
Eight people were arrested at City Hall on Wednesday when a group of protesters disrupted a Boston City Council meeting on Mayor Michelle Wu’s $4.9 billion budget plan.
Wu’s plan would reduce or remove funding for several discretionary grant programs, such as youth employment. Though Wu later enlisted a coalition of private organizations to employ students who would be affected, the City will not be funding the positions.
At about 2:50 p.m., councilors were debating an $8.1 million amendment package from Councilor Benjamin Weber when the protesters interrupted. Live stream footage from the meeting shows some of them walking out on the chamber floor while calling out councilors by name and chanting “You failed us.”
City Council President Liz Breadon briefly attempted to stop the protesters before calling for a recess, at which point the footage cuts out. Just over two hours later, the meeting resumed, with Breadon citing demonstrations as violations of council rules.
“There will be no more warnings,” Breadon said. “If you make a disturbance or distraction, you will be escorted out.”
Protesters laid on the chamber floor and held a sign reading “Save our youth jobs, city funds now, not empty promises of mythical private jobs and funding,” The Boston Globe reported. When Boston police arrived, they began escorting members of the public from the chamber.
Some protesters left about an hour after the disruption began, but others stayed on the chamber floor. A Boston Police Department spokesperson told Boston.com that eight adults were arrested but could not provide details about charges or court dates.
A few councilors engaged with the protesters, including Councilor Brian Worrell, who sat on the floor to talk with one of them, the Globe reported. Councilor At-Large Julia Mejia chanted with protesters and livestreamed the incident on social media.
Wednesday’s protest added to the discord that Wu’s budget plan has already incited within the Boston City Council. Several councilors previously said they would reject the plan in the hopes of forcing Wu to submit a new proposal with increased spending and fewer cuts.
A motion to reject the plan failed to pass with an evenly split 6-6 vote. Councilors Miniard Culpepper, John FitzGerald, Ed Flynn, Julia Mejia, Erin Murphy, and Brian Worrell all voted in favor of the motion, while Councilors Liz Breadon, Sharon Durkan, Ruthzee Louijeune, Enrique Pepén, Henry Santana, and Benjamin Weber opposed it.
Boston City Council did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday evening.
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