Kevin White press conference
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Mayor Kevin White holds a press conference at City Hall to discuss the Procession Against Violence scheduled for the following day. He says that white and African American community leaders have been invited and must make their own decisions about whether to attend. White says that the march will register the objections of the community to violence. White says that the media and the public can draw their own conclusions about those who do not attend. Robert DiGrazia (Police Commissioner, City of Boston) and George Paul (Fire Commissioner, City of Boston) comment on emergency response to the bombing of Suffolk County Courthouse. DiGrazia and Paul says that they are investigating the reasons for a communication breakdown within the courthouse after the bombing. DiGrazia and Paul say that there the police and fire departments experienced no difficulties in communication. DiGrazia notes that there have been numerous bomb threats across the city since yesterday, including a bomb threat at White's office. Reporters question DiGrazia about the classification of two suspects as "Puerto Rican." Paul describes measures taken to protect fire fighters when responding to calls in areas of unrest
0:00:11: Visual: Kevin White holds a press conference at City Hall and addresses the media from a podium. Robert DiGrazia (Police Commissioner, City of Boston) and George Paul (Fire Commissioner, City of Boston) stand on either side of him. White talks about issuing invitations to white and African American community leaders to march with him and the governor in a procession against violence. White says that the procession will begin at 11:30 at the corner of Charles and Beacon Streets; that the procession will end up at City Hall Plaza. Reporter comments on speculation that Louise Day Hicks and antibusing groups will not attend the march. White says that attendance is a decision that each individual must make according to his or her conscience; that he will not pass judgment on those who choose not to attend. Reporter asks if it is possible to unite the community through a march if the two largest antibusing organizations choose not to attend. White says that he thinks the march is important for those who wish to register their objection to the violence; that there needs to be public evidence of community objection to the violence. White says that the media and public can make their own conclusions about the motives of those who do not attend. 0:04:38: V: A reporter asks White about other leadership initiatives to unite the city. White says that he is constantly making decisions affecting the city; that if yesterday's bombing of the Suffolk County Courthouse is unrelated to the busing crisis, then there are other issues in the city must be addressed. White says that he would like to wait until after the march before answering questions about other initiatives to stop violence. 0:05:52: V: A reporter asks Paul questions about fire department response to yesterday's bombing. Paul says that there is a procedure for communications between the police and fire departments when a call is received through 911; that the fire department avoids sending equipment before a possible explosion. A reporter asks why the communications system broke down yesterday. Paul responds that there was a communications breakdown within the courthouse building; that the situation is being investigated. DiGrazia says that there was a ten minute lag in response time; that responsibility for that lag lies within the courthouse; that the reasons for the lag are being investigated; that the response system for the police and fire units has not broken down. DiGrazia says that he cannot answer questions about how previous bomb threats have been handled at the courthouse. DiGrazia describes the response procedure to bomb threats. DiGrazia says that numerous bomb threats have been received all over the city since yesterday. A reporter asks about response to a bomb threat called in to the mayor's office today. White says that the normal procedure was followed; that he chose not to vacate his office. A reporter asks questions about the specifics of yesterday's bombing. DiGrazia says that police took a report from two African American victims at the courthouse; that he found their descriptions credible because "blacks can easily identify Puerto Ricans"; that the perpetrators were described as Puerto Rican or light-skinned black. Reporters question whether Puerto Ricans are easily identifiable from other people of other ethnicities. White says that the descriptions were given by the victims; that the police can only rely on information given to them by the victim. A reporter questions the validity of the "Puerto Rican" description. 0:11:25: V: Shots of members of press. A reporter asks DiGrazia about procedures to assure the safety of fire fighters. DiGrazia requests that Paul answer the question. Paul says that fire fighters have been harassed and hit with stones; that the fire fighters have begun to take cover when riding through the streets on fire apparatus; that police have been escorting fire fighters into public housing projects, where trouble has erupted in the past; that police officers have been providing protection on the scene; that measure are being taken. The moderator indicates that time is up. A reporter requests that White answer one more question about increased security in public buildings. White says that action will be taken when the investigation is complete.
0:00:11: Visual: Kevin White holds a press conference at City Hall and addresses the media from a podium. Robert DiGrazia (Police Commissioner, City of Boston) and George Paul (Fire Commissioner, City of Boston) stand on either side of him. White talks about issuing invitations to white and African American community leaders to march with him and the governor in a procession against violence. White says that the procession will begin at 11:30 at the corner of Charles and Beacon Streets; that the procession will end up at City Hall Plaza. Reporter comments on speculation that Louise Day Hicks and antibusing groups will not attend the march. White says that attendance is a decision that each individual must make according to his or her conscience; that he will not pass judgment on those who choose not to attend. Reporter asks if it is possible to unite the community through a march if the two largest antibusing organizations choose not to attend. White says that he thinks the march is important for those who wish to register their objection to the violence; that there needs to be public evidence of community objection to the violence. White says that the media and public can make their own conclusions about the motives of those who do not attend. 0:04:38: V: A reporter asks White about other leadership initiatives to unite the city. White says that he is constantly making decisions affecting the city; that if yesterday's bombing of the Suffolk County Courthouse is unrelated to the busing crisis, then there are other issues in the city must be addressed. White says that he would like to wait until after the march before answering questions about other initiatives to stop violence. 0:05:52: V: A reporter asks Paul questions about fire department response to yesterday's bombing. Paul says that there is a procedure for communications between the police and fire departments when a call is received through 911; that the fire department avoids sending equipment before a possible explosion. A reporter asks why the communications system broke down yesterday. Paul responds that there was a communications breakdown within the courthouse building; that the situation is being investigated. DiGrazia says that there was a ten minute lag in response time; that responsibility for that lag lies within the courthouse; that the reasons for the lag are being investigated; that the response system for the police and fire units has not broken down. DiGrazia says that he cannot answer questions about how previous bomb threats have been handled at the courthouse. DiGrazia describes the response procedure to bomb threats. DiGrazia says that numerous bomb threats have been received all over the city since yesterday. A reporter asks about response to a bomb threat called in to the mayor's office today. White says that the normal procedure was followed; that he chose not to vacate his office. A reporter asks questions about the specifics of yesterday's bombing. DiGrazia says that police took a report from two African American victims at the courthouse; that he found their descriptions credible because "blacks can easily identify Puerto Ricans"; that the perpetrators were described as Puerto Rican or light-skinned black. Reporters question whether Puerto Ricans are easily identifiable from other people of other ethnicities. White says that the descriptions were given by the victims; that the police can only rely on information given to them by the victim. A reporter questions the validity of the "Puerto Rican" description. 0:11:25: V: Shots of members of press. A reporter asks DiGrazia about procedures to assure the safety of fire fighters. DiGrazia requests that Paul answer the question. Paul says that fire fighters have been harassed and hit with stones; that the fire fighters have begun to take cover when riding through the streets on fire apparatus; that police have been escorting fire fighters into public housing projects, where trouble has erupted in the past; that police officers have been providing protection on the scene; that measure are being taken. The moderator indicates that time is up. A reporter requests that White answer one more question about increased security in public buildings. White says that action will be taken when the investigation is complete.
