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ACORN protest at BRA

Description: ACORN demonstrates for affordable housing at Dudley office of BRA, saying that planned development projects will not benefit, and may victimize, low income residents. Ricardo Millet.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 05/25/1986

Affordable Housing

Description: Meg Vaillancourt interviews Sterling Anderson of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) outside of the Dudley Branch Library about the lack of affordable housing in the Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan areas. Anderson says that the city is not doing enough to provide affordable housing for low-income residents. Anderson questions the city's definition of low-income. He adds that most residents do not make enough money to meet the city's definition of low-income. Anderson and a group of ACORN protesters march to the offices of the Boston Redevelopment Authority on Washington Street in Dudley Square. Anderson and the protesters enter the office and confront Ricardo Millet of the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) about the city's affordable housing policies. The protesters read a list of demands including that 70% of all new developments in the area must target low and moderate-income residents. The protesters demand information on all new planned developments in the Roxbury/Dorchester/Mattapan neighborhoods. Millet discusses the city's affordable housing policy with the protesters. He gives them handouts including a list of planned developments in the area. Millet says that the BRA is trying to provide affordable housing despite a lack of subsidies from the federal government.
1:00:14: Visual: A fire engine pulls out onto Washington Street. Elevated train tracks are visible. An African American firefighter operates the rear of the truck. Cars pull to the side of a congested street to let another fire engine pass. 1:01:22: V: Meg Vaillancourt sets up an interview with Sterling Anderson (ACORN). Vaillancourt asks about the march organized by ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) to protest the affordable housing policies of the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA). Anderson says that redevelopment in the areas of Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan is not geared toward the current residents of those areas; that ACORN is trying to put pressure on the mayor and the BRA to include housing for current residents. Anderson says that most of the residents of those areas do not make more than $13,000 per year; that one-bedroom apartments are selling for $18,000 in one of the new developments. Anderson says that Ray Flynn (mayor of Boston) deserves credit for developing housing; that these efforts are insignificant if the residents of these areas cannot live in the new housing. Anderson talks about how poor people have been thrown out of areas like the South End. Anderson says that the residents need housing, not shelters; that the city needs to commit itself to affordable housing. Anderson says that the city defines low income as a salary of $18,000 to $23,000 per year; that the city defines a moderate income as an income of $23,000 per year. Anderson says that he defines low income as under $13,000; that he defines moderate income as $13,000 to $24,000 per year. Vaillancourt asks if the city is really serving its lower income residents. Anderson says that the city is not serving those residents; that a lot of people cannot afford housing; that the city is pushing low-income residents out of the areas of Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan. Vaillancourt asks if race is the issue. Anderson says that it is an economic issue; that the low-income residents of Roxbury are African American; that there are low-income whites with the same problems in South Boston, Chelsea, and East Boston. Vaillancourt asks if Anderson doubts Flynn's commitment to the neighborhoods. Anderson says that he respects Flynn; that Flynn needs to understand that low-income residents are committed to fighting for affordable housing; that he needs to help these people. Anderson says that he cannot afford to give up on the fight for affordable housing; that he will have no place to live in five years if he does not put up a struggle. Anderson says that shelters are not the answer to the housing problem; that poor people do not want to live in shelters. Anderson says that there are some people who benefit from shelters; that the majority of people with low incomes are intelligent and hard-working. Anderson says that he hears the same statistics from the city at every meeting on affordable housing; that the city needs to make a commitment because working people cannot afford housing right now. The crew takes cutaway shots of Vaillancourt and Anderson. Anderson says that the BRA says the same thing at every meeting; that public housing advocates are always pushing for more low-income housing. Anderson says that 70% of the housing in the areas of Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan needs to be for low- and moderate-income people. Anderson says that people in these areas have no place to live, despite the BRA's commitment to affordable housing; that developments in these areas should be priced at $35,000 instead of $65,000. 1:08:18: V: Housing protesters gather on the sidewalk on Washington Street, outside of the BRA's Dudley Office. The elevated train tracks are visible. The protesters chant, "We want housing. We won't wait. 2, 4, 6, 8." The protesters gather behind a banner reading, "ACORN." Shot of the BRA sign above the entrance to the office. The protesters march slowly into the BRA offices. The protesters chant, "What do we want? Housing. When do we want it? Now." The majority of the protesters are African American. The protesters file into the building. 1:10:48: V: The housing protesters enter a large room swith chairs set up for a meeting. The protesters chant, "2, 4, 6, 8. We want housing. We won't wait." The protesters stand at the side of the room, holding protest signs and chanting. Shot of a sign reading, "Third notice: Please be advised that you are required to build affordable housing." Shots of individual protesters. Ricardo Millet (BRA) sits in one of the chairs in the meeting room. He watches the protesters with interest. Millet invites the protesters to sit down. Anderson says that the protesters will remain standing. Anderson addresses Millet. Anderson says that there is a housing shortage in the areas of Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan; that the BRA housing policy is ineffective; that residents of these areas need housing that they can afford. Anderson says that the newly developed housing target people with incomes of at least $23,000 per year; that most residents make less than $13,000 per year. Anderson says that the BRA and the city of Boston need to make a commitment to low-income housing; that 70% of the new development needs to target low-income residents. Anderson demands information on new developments planned for the Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan areas. Anderson says that the BRA has not been forthcoming with that information; that the BRA needs to work with developers work with developers who have committed to building low-income housing. 1:14:34: V: An African American woman addresses Millet. She reads a list of ACORN demands: the cessation of development on Fountain Hill by June 15 unless the development is 70% affordable to those with low- and moderate-incomes; 70% of all new housing must target low- and moderate-income residents; that ACORN wants information on plans for new development in the area. Another protester says that the 70% quota applies to housing in the Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan areas; that many residents of these areas make less than $13,000 per year; that an average income is more than $26,000 per year. The protester says that the voices of the poor must be heard. The protesters applaud. Anderson asks for a map of planned developments in the Roxbury/Mattapan area. Anderson says that the protesters will not allow new developments to be built if they cannot live in them. Millet stands to face the protesters. He listens as Anderson speaks. 1:16:10: V: Millet addresses the protesters. He invites the protesters to sit down and to discuss the issues with him. Anderson says that the protesters have been sitting in meetings for months; that the protesters want a list of the planned developments in the area. Millet says that he has never been asked for a list of the planned developments before now. Millet offers to provide the protesters with a list of projects currently undertaken by the BRA. Millet gives copies of a handout to the protesters. Millet notes that the BRA, under the Flynn administration, has approved 912 units of housing. Millet adds that the handout includes a list of approved projects as well as their locations, developers and affordablility. Shot of the printed handout. Millet says that 60% of the units in the approved developments are affordable to low- and moderate-income people. Shot of statistic on the handout reading, "60.4% of units below market rate." Anderson asks Millet to define low- and moderate-income. Millet says that the BRA will work with the protesters on the issue of low-income housing; that the BRA and the city want to respond to the needs of low-income people. Millet notes that it is hard to achieve these goals because the federal government has stopped subsidizing housing. Millet adds that the city has done well to achieve a 60% affordability rate in its new projects. Millet gives out copies of another handout. Millet explains that the handout covers the BRA's and the city's positions on affordable housing; that the handout describes the problem of affordable housing. Millet notes that the city is aware of the housing shortage. Anderson says that he gets the same responses every time he meets with the city and the BRA about housing; that no one is responding to their concerns. Shot of the crowd of protesters. Millet says that he has met with ACORN representatives in the past; that the BRA agrees with ACORN on the need to provide affordable housing; that the BRA is trying to achieve these goals without subsidies from the federal government. Millet stresses the fact that the BRA is committed to achieving these goals; that the BRA is trying their best to build affordable housing; that the BRA's achievement of a 60% affordabliltiy rate is remarkable.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 05/28/1986

Boston Redevelopment Authority

Description: ROXBURY vs Boston Redevelopment Authority. STEPHEN COYLE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. VACANT LOTS.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 06/11/1986

DUDLEY SQUARE

Description: DUDLEY SQUARE, SPRING DAY, PEOPLE, STOREFRONTS, TRAFFIC, BRA OFFICE, ORANGE LINE ELEVATED
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 05/28/1986

Drug problem at Franklin Park

Description: David Boeri reports on drug traffic in the Franklin Development Project. William Sommers, the Boston Inspectional Services Commissioner tours a condemned building on Homestead Street. Interviews with Sommers and Pat Farreta about the problems in the building. Ferrata talks about drug dealers who sell drugs from their apartments. Boeri talks to a tenant, who refuses to comment on the drug traffic in the building. Boeri reports on a plan for increased police presence in the community to combat drug and footage of police making a drug arrest. Interview with Roxbury community leader Don Muhammad about how to solve the drug problem in the community. Following the edited story is b-roll of the Roxbury neighborhood around the Franklin Development Project. Also, additional footage from the tour of condemned buildings with Commissioner Sommers and Pat Ferrata. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Ray Flynn proposes to increase the number of Boston residents working in Boston jobs
1:00:08: Visual: Footage William Sommers (Inspectional Services Commissioner, Boston) touring a condemned building on 157 Homestead Street in Roxbury. Shots of a rotted stairway; of a the structural beams showing through a wall. Footage of Sommers pointing to a rotted ceiling in an apartment. Shots of Sommers standing in the stairwell of the building. David Boeri reports that Sommers condemned the building at 157 Homestead Street on the previous day; that the tenants will be relocated while the building is repaired. V: Footage of Sommers saying that he has written up thousands of housing violations for the Franklin Development Project. Footage of African American tenants moving furniture from the decrepit building. Boeri reports that Sommers blames the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for neglecting this building and others. V: Shot of a cockroach crawling along a dirty wall. Shots of African American tenants in the lobby of the building. The lobby walls are covered with graffiti. Footage of Sommers saying that there needs to be continuous support for urban housing; that he does not want to repair this building only to see it fall apart again. Boeri stands in front of the building on Homestead Street. Boeri reports that the city will have to fight the drug pushers in the building. V: Footage of Pat Farreta (Housing Inspector) saying that drug buyers will smash down the front doors of buildings in order to reach the apartment of a drug dealer. Shot of a door covered in graffiti. Shots of an African American man removing cabinet doors from the building on Homestead Street. Boeri reports that tenants of these buildings are terrorized by drug dealers. V: Footage of Ferreta saying that tenants report that drugs are being dealt through a hole in the door of one of the apartments. Shot of Boeri, Sommers and Ferreta standing together. Ferreta says that drugs will be dealt in the building that evening if he does have the building secured. Boeri reports that Mrs. Walker (tenant) will be moved to a hotel or shelter while her apartment is fixed. V: Footage of Mrs. Walker looking away from the camera. She says that she does not want to talk about it. Boeri stands in front of the building on Homestead Street. Boeri reports that tenants are afraid of reprisals if they talk about the drug problem; that tenants have told him off-camera that drug dealing occurs day and night in the building. V: Footage of a handcuffed woman getting into a police cruiser. A white police officer closes the cruiser door. Shots of police officers standing on the sidewalks in Roxbury. Boeri reports that the court-appointed trustee for the Franklin Development Project used $300,000 of federal money to hire Boston Police officers to remove drug dealers. Boeri notes that Boston Police officers will be continually present on the streets of Roxbury for 30 days. V: Shot from a moving vehicle of police officers standing on a sidewalk. Boeri reports that community activists disagree about whether the police presence is a good thing. V: Shot of Boeri walking on a street with Don Muhammad (Roxbury community leader}. Footage of Muhammad saying that the community needs leadership more than it needs police; that absentee landlords and irresponsible tenants are part of the problem. Muhammad says that residents would drive out the drug pushers if they owned the buildings. Muhammad urges the courts to punish drug dealers to the full extent of the law. Muhammad compares a drug pusher to "someone who is driving an automobile at 150 mph in a 30 mph zone when children are crossing the street."
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 07/24/1986

Flynn, Affordable housing, Mandela, Mass.

Description: Mayor Ray Flynn holds a press conference in Roxbury to unveil plans for a new housing and commercial development to be built on a vacant lot in Douglass Square. The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) cleared the land in the 1960s and never rebuilt on the lot. The owners and developers of the new project are African American. Flynn and City Councilor Bruce Bolling talk about the new development. Flynn says that all neighborhoods and all residents must share in the growth of the city. Bolling says that the proposal for the creation of Mandela, Massachusetts is a no longer an issue. Bolling and other Mandela opponents believe that the new development signifies a renewed commitment to the Roxbury neighborhood by the city of Boston.
1:00:10: Visual: Footage of Ray Flynn (Mayor of Boston) at an outdoor gathering in Roxbury. Flynn stands under a tent, addressing a crowd. Flynn talks about the vote against the proposal for the creation of Mandela, Massachusetts. Flynn says that the vote shows that the racial polarization of the city is in the past. Shot of the gathering from the back of the tent; of an architectural model. David Boeri reports that Flynn is advocating affordable housing and economic opportunity in every neighborhood. Boeri notes that Flynn unveiled a plan for a project in Douglass Square; that the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) cleared a two-acre plot of land in Douglass Square in the 1960s; that the lot has been abandoned since then. V: Shot of a mural on the wall of a building in Douglass Square in Roxbury; of buildings in Douglass Square; of a vacant lot in Douglass Square; of architectural plans and an architectural model. Boeri reports that a housing and commercial complex is slated to be built on the vacant lot; that one-quarter of the units will be set aside for low-income housing. V: Footage of Bruce Bolling (Boston City Council) saying that the project addresses the need for economic re-investment in Roxbury. Boeri reports that the developers and owners of the project will be African American; that Bolling noted that Roxbury is becoming a full and equal partner in the city of Boston. V: Shots of African American crowd members; of an African American man standing beside an architectural drawing of the project. Footage of Bolling saying that the incorporation of minority neighborhoods into a new city is a dead issue. Boeri reports that Flynn had a unity breakfast with Roxbury leaders this morning; that Flynn pledged to make the city of opportunity for all. V: Shots of the crowd at the gathering. Footage of Flynn saying that all residents need to share in the city's growth and prosperity; that development of the downtown must be accompanied by development of the neighborhoods. Boeri stands in the vacant lot in Douglass Square. Boeri says that the lot has represented an empty promise by the city of Boston to the people of Roxbury. Boeri says that Bolling and other leaders fought the idea of secession from the city. Boeri adds that these leaders say that the plans for the new project are a signal that "their time has come."
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 11/05/1986

Grove Hall drug trade

Description: David Boeri reports on drug activity in the Grove Hall area of Roxbury. Boeri notes that Grove Hall residents say that the drug trade is out of control and are demanding more action from police. Boeri reports that police are increasing patrols in the area and that Ray Flynn (Mayor of Boston) has cited an increase in the number of arrests in the area. Boeri interviews Nathaniel Askia (former Director, FIRST., Inc.). Askia discusses the drug trade in Roxbury. Jones' report includes footage from an interview with William Celester (Deputy Superintendent, Boston Police Department). Celester says that police officers are making arrests. He adds that the courts are releasing drug arrestees back onto the streets. Boeri notes that most of the people arrested by police on drug charges are not the big dealers who control the drug trade on the streets. Jones' report is accompanied by footage of police officers making a drug arrest on Humboldt Avenue and by footage of police officers on the streets of Roxbury. This tape includes additional footage of police officers making a drug arrest on Humboldt Avenue. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Marcus Jones reports on Congressional debate over a bill that would impose sanctions on the apartheid regime in South Africa
1:00:13: Visual: Footage of police officers making two drug arrests on Humboldt Avenue. Shot of a white police officer putting handcuffs onto an African American man. The man stands near the door of a red sports car. Shots of police officers putting handcuffs onto a white woman; of a police officer searching for drugs in a handbag. Shots of a police officer speaking to the white woman in handcuffs. Shot of a police officer searching the trunk of the red sports car. Shots of a plastic bag full of drugs; of the white woman getting into the back of a police car. Shots of police officers searching the red sports car. Shot of a police officer saying that the woman's license had been suspended. Shots of individual packets containing drugs. Shot of a police cruiser driving away with the white woman in the backseat. David Boeri reports that a six-block area of Grove Hall had police officers on every corner today. Boeri reports that the two people arrested were not the big drug dealers who control the drug traffic in Grove Hall. Boeri reports that Nathaniel Askia (former Director, FIRST, Inc.) runs a drug rehabilitation center; that Askia is a former drug addict and criminal. V: Shot of Boeri and Askia crossing a street in Roxbury. Footage of Askia being interviewed by Boeri on the street. Askia says that there is an organized structure to the drug trade. Askia says that youth are used as runners and lookouts; that there is drug activity taking place in the hallways of apartment buildings. Boeri reports that Roxbury residents says that they are held hostage in their own homes by drug activity. V: Shot from a moving car of large residential homes on a side street in Roxbury. Shot from a moving car of a main street in Roxbury. A young teenager walks down the street toward a group of police officers. Audio of Askia saying that kids will take orders for and deliver drugs. Boeri reports that drug dealers take refuge in unoccupied apartment in Roxbury. V: Shot of a boarded-up apartment building. Footage of William Celester (Deputy Superintendent, Boston Police Department) pointing to a boarded-up apartment building. Celester says that drug dealers can travel along the rooftops of apartment buildings. Shots of the rooftops of the apartment buildings. Boeri reports that Celester disagrees with critics who says that the Boston Police Department is not doing enough to combat drugs. Boeri says that Celester believes that the problem lies with the courts. V: Shots of police officers standing on a sidewalk. Footage of Celester being interviewed. Celester says that the people arrested here usually have four or five prior arrests. Celester says that these people are back on the streets before the police officers are. Boeri stands on Humboldt Avenue. Boeri says that the police sweep on Humboldt Avenue began last week; that no one knows how long the police crackdown will last. Boeri reports that Ray Flynn (Mayor of Boston) has cited an increased number of arrests in the area; that Flynn mistakenly inflated the street value of the seized drugs by $90 million. Boeri reports that Grove Hall residents say that the situation is out of control; that residents expect more from the Police Department and from the courts.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 07/22/1986

Homicide rate, murder victims

Description: HOMICIDE RATE IN ROXBURY. POLICE INSPECT MURDER VICTIMS' BODIES.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/29/1986

Mandela, Massachusetts

Description: Marcus Jones reports that the Greater Roxbury Incorporation Project (GRIP) has put forth a plan to create a new city from Boston's minority neighborhoods. Jones notes that the new municipality would be named Mandela, in honor of jailed South African leader Nelson Mandela. Jones reports that African American community leaders are divided in their support for the referendum question on Mandela, Massachusetts. Jones adds that the referendum question will be on the ballot in the fall. Jones' report includes footage from a press conference in front of the Massachusetts State House with Andrew Jones (GRIP), Byron Rushing (State Representative) and Royal Bolling, Jr. (Mandela supporter). Rushing and Jones speak out in favor of Mandela. Jones report also includes footage of Royal Bolling, Sr. (state senator) speaking out against Mandela. Jones reports that Ray Flynn (Mayor of Boston) is opposed to the creation of Mandela. Jones speculates about the probable boundaries of the proposed city. Jones interviews people on the street about their support of Mandela. Jones' report includes footage of the elevated train tracks along Washington Street in Roxbury. A rap song about Mandela, Massachusetts accompanies parts of the story.
1:00:35: Visual: Shots of a group of African-American residents standing at the side of a street; of an orange line train passing on the elevated tracks along Washington Street. Audio of a rap song promoting Mandela, Massachusetts. Marcus Jones reports that leaders of Boston's African American and Latino communities are promoting the idea of Mandela, Massachusetts; that community leaders hope the referendum question on Mandela, Massachusetts will win votes on the ballot in the fall. V: Shot of Andrew Jones (Greater Roxbury Incorporation Project) Byron Rushing (State Representative) and Royal Bolling, Jr. (Mandela supporter) at a press conference outside of the Massachusetts State House. Shot of a cameraman at the press conference. Footage of Young speaking at the press conference. Young says that the referendum question will allow voters in certain ward and precincts to consider the formation of an independent city. Jones reports that the plan has been put forth by the Greater Roxbury Incorporation Project (GRIP); that the plan would carve a new municipality out of the neighborhoods of Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, Jamaica Plain, the South End, and Columbia Point. Jones reports that the new city would be named in honor of jailed South African leader Nelson Mandela. Jones notes that many developers consider these neighborhoods to be the next frontier of development in Boston. V: Shots of neighborhoods within the limits of the proposed city. Shot of a newspaper article with a headline reading, "Black effort to secede from Boston." Jones stands on the median strip of Massachusetts Avenue in Boston. The Boston skyline is visible behind him. Jones reports that no formal boundary lines have yet been drawn. Jones speculates that one of the bridges on Massachusetts Avenue is a likely boundary line. Jones notes that Boston is on one side, along with the Massachusetts General Hospital, the Prudential building and the Boston Public Library. Jones notes that Mandela would lie on the other side of the bridge; that Mandela would include Boston City Hospital, the Orange Line and Franklin Park. V: Shots of Massachusetts Avenue in both directions. Shot of Washington Street in Roxbury. The elevated train tracks are visible. Shot of Boston City Hall. Audio of a rap song promoting Mandela, Massachusetts. Jones reports that Ray Flynn (Mayor of Boston) is opposed to the plan. Jones notes that some African American community leaders are opposed to the plan because they think that minorities are on the verge of gaining some political clout in the city of Boston. V: Shot of Flynn. Footage of Royal Bolling, Sr. (State Senator) being interviewed. Bolling says that people of color should not settle for a piece of the pie when the whole pie is within reach. Footage of Byron Rushing (State Representative) at the press conference in front of the State House. Rushing says that there are a few African Americans who lie to blame everything on city hall; that those people are in fact blaming their problems on white people. Rushing says that those people will not be able to continue blaming white people in Mandela. Shot of a political cartoon about Mandela. Audio of the rap song plays in the background. Footage of an African American man being interviewed on the street. The man says that the neighborhoods are interwoven into the fabric of the city of Boston; that the secession movement could be counterproductive. Footage of another African American man being interviewed while in his car. The man says that Mandela is a terrible idea. Footage of an African American woman being interviewed. The woman says that she would vote in favor of Mandela. Jones reports that the referendum question is still only a possiblility. Jones notes that petition signatures must be approved; that voting boundaries need to be established. V: Shot of an orange line train riding along the elevated tracks on Washington Street. Shot of a map of the districts within Mandela. Shots of a group of African Americans standing on a street corner. Audio of the rap song promoting Mandela, Massachusetts plays in the background.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 07/03/1986

Mandela, Massachusetts

Description: Christopher Lydon reports on the proposal to incorporate the Greater Roxbury neighborhood into a new city to be called Mandela, Massachusetts. Lydon reviews the proposed boundaries of the new city and the racial breakdown of the population. Lydon's report includes footage from a press conference in front of the Massachusetts State House. Leaders from the minority community speak out in favor of the creation of Mandela. The leaders include Curtis Davis (Greater Roxbury Incorporation Project), May Louie (Chairwoman, Rainbow Coalition), and Ken Wade (Greater Roxbury Neighborhood Authority). Lydon reports that the city of Boston has projected a large first-year deficit for the new city. He notes that Mandela supporters reject those numbers and have asked for an independent commission to examine the fiscal relationship between the city of Boston and the proposed city. Lydon reports on media coverage of the issue. He notes that an editorial in The Boston Globe condemned the proposal. Lydon notes that Bruce Bolling (Boston City Council) no longer supports that proposal. He adds that Mel King (former State Representative) is in favor of Mandela. Lydon's report includes an interview with King, who defends his pro-Mandela stance.
1:01:15: Visual: Footage of Bruce Bolling (Boston City Council) and other African American community leaders at a meeting on November 15, 1985. Christopher Lydon reports that the idea of incorporating Roxbury as Mandela, Massachusetts is almost one year old; that African American leaders now talk about "incorporation" instead of "secession." V: Footage of Curtis Davis (co-founder, Greater Roxbury Incorporation Project) at a press conference about Mandela, Massachusetts in front of the State House. Other minority leaders are present, including Mel King (former State Representative), Joyce King (wife of Mel King), Graylan Ellis-Hagler (Church of the United Community), and Andrew Young (co-founder, Greater Roxbury Incorporation Project). Davis says that the issue is not one of Roxbury leaving the city of Boston; that the issue is one of Mandela incorporating itself as part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; that "secession" is not an appropriate term. Lydon reports that the Roxbury community has long felt disenfranchised; that the themes of empowerment and self-determination are behind the move to incorporate Roxbury as Mandela, Massachusetts. V: Shots of cars traveling underneath the elevated train tracks on Washington Street in Roxbury. Lydon notes that supporters of Mandela say that a radical solution is needed to improve the Roxbury community. V: Shot of an African American woman speaking at the press conference about Mandela. Shot of a black and white map of the city of Boston. Lydon reports that Mandela supporters would create a city within a city. V: Shots of African Americans walking through a subway tunnel. Shots of a black and white map of Boston. The proposed city of Mandela is indicated by two shaded areas. Lydon reports that 150,000 residents live in the area proposed to become Mandela; that 74% of the residents are African American; that 10% of the residents are Hispanic; that 16% of the residents are white or Asian. V: Shot of commuters waiting for an MBTA orange line train. Lydon notes that Ray Flynn (Mayor of Boston) has called the proposal "divisive and racist"; that supporters reject Flynn's notion. V: Shot of Flynn speaking. Footage of May Louie (Chairwoman, Rainbow Coalition) saying that racial discrimination and inequality exist; that it is unfair to call the Mandela proposal racist; that supporters of the Mandela proposal are fighting for equality and justice. Shot of Boston City Hall. Lydon reports that the Flynn administration says that incorporation is not feasible on fiscal grounds; that the administration has projected a large first year deficit. V: Shots of the elevated train tracks along Washington Street in Roxbury; of African American residents boarding an MBTA bus. Lydon reports that Mandela supporters accuse the Flynn administration of releasing biased fiscal projections. Lydon adds that Mandela supporters say that Mandela would be able to operate with a surplus. Lydon reports that Mandela supporters have called on the governor to appoint a commission to settle the fiscal dispute between the Flynn administration and Mandela supporters. V: Footage of Ken Wade (Greater Roxbury Neighborhood Authority), who calls on the governor to appoint a commission to look into the proposed city's financial relationship to the city of Boston. Wade says that the Roxbury community needs to look at the financial situation before deciding to incorporate as Mandela; that the community will decide if incorporation "is the best strategy for empowerment." Lydon reports that Michael Dukakis (Governor of Massachusetts) has not yet commented on the issue; that the proposal has been ignored by the press. V: Shots of Mandela supporters at the press conference; of the media at the press conference; of two newspaper articles about the Mandela proposal. Lydon reports that The Boston Globe has recently begun to cover the issue; that the most recent edition of The Boston Sunday Globe ran an article and an editorial which were critical of the proposal. V: Shots of an article and an editorial about Mandela from the Globe. Lydon notes that criticism of the proposal is proof that the proposal is being taken seriously. Lydon notes that Bolling started out as a leader on the proposal; that Bolling is now absent from the debate. Lydon adds that Mel King (former State Representative) may be risking his political career for the issue. V: Shots of Bolling the meeting on November 15, 1985. Shots of a newspaper article with a headline reading, "King's secession stance questioned;" of King at the press conference. Footage of King saying that the media is concentrating on personalities instead of the issue; that he supports Mandela because it is best for the people in the area. King questions whether the media is focusing on personalities because they do not want to cover the feelings and issues which gave rise to the proposal. Lydon says that emotions are running high; that Mandela supporters are not angry with Flynn. V: Footage of Louie saying that the people want self-determination; that the people want a school system which does not "push their children out" at an accelerated rate. Louie says that the question does not revolve around money or budgets. Louie says that self-determination is at the heart of the issue. The leaders at the press conference applaud. Another community leader steps up to the microphone.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/13/1986