Description: Louise Day Hicks thanks Boston City Council for electing her president.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 01/05/1976
Description: Steve Curwood interviews Louise Day Hicks about her vote in favor of a curfew proposal for the city of Boston. Hicks thinks that the curfew could reduce unrest on the streets in the evenings. She says that she will vote to rescind the curfew if police are shown to use it as a means to harass residents. Hicks notes that the senior citizens and fire fighters support the curfew proposal. They shoot cutaways.
0:58:32: Visual: Steve Curwood interviews Louis Day Hicks in her office. Curwood asks Hicks why she is in favor of a curfew proposal for Boston. Hicks says that senior citizens and fire fighters have requested the curfew; that a curfew could mean greater safety in the evening. Curwood comments that police have called the curfew proposal unenforceable. Hicks says that the city should try the curfew to test its effectiveness; that she voted for it to show solidarity with the senior citizens and fire fighters. Curwood points out the expense involved in a curfew ordinance; that the county may have to pay for private lawyers to defend violators because of the heavy workload of the public defenders. Hicks says that the curfew does not place undue burden on minors, who can move about with a note from their parents; that the curfew can be rescinded if it proves to be unworkable. Hicks says that the curfew could be enforced arbitrarily as a means of harassment; that she will vote to rescind the curfew if this proves to be true. Hicks says that the law could be used to bolster parental authority; that she hopes most parents have authority over their children even without the curfew. Hicks says that she does not know if the mayor will veto the curfew. Curwood thanks Hicks. The crew takes cutaway shots of Curwood and Hicks. Curwood and Hicks speak informally. Hicks talks about her constituents' support for the curfew.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 05/06/1976
Description: Crowd gathers to attend Boston School Committee meeting. Louise Day Hicks is seen in the audience. Parents address the Committee about their concerns on the safety of their students. Superintendent Marion Fahey responds to their accusations, especially addressing the violence incident at Hyde Park High School the previous day. A woman recites the procedure under which Hyde Park will be reopened. Mix of wild sound and sound.
Collection: WCVB Collection
Date Created: 01/22/1976
Description: Silent b-roll of the council chamber, the audience, and the speakers followed by excerpts of different people's speeches to the council about Judge Garrity. More silent b-roll of the audience and council chamber. Reporter voiceover with blank image, and Councilor Larry Dicara speaking at the meeting in favor of Judge Garrity. Reporter voiceover wrap-up with blank image. Mix of Sound and silent.
Collection: WCVB Collection
Date Created: 05/24/1976
Description: Sound dropout in the beginning of the video. Boston City Council meeting on the Boston School budget. City Councilor reads communications from Mayor White to the City Council. Boston schools superintendent Marion Fahey testifies to City Council about school budget deficit. Accompanying Fahey are Paul Kennedy, Associate Superintendant in charge of personnel and John McGran, member of the superintendent's office on budgetary matters. Councilors Louise Day Hicks, Albert "Dapper" O'Neil, Larry DiCara are among those on the panel questioning Fahey. Mayor White and Superintendent Fahey both address the effect of Judge Arthur Garrity's 1975 court order on the Boston School Department budget. Video goes black in the middle for a few second, but audio continues.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 05/20/1976
Description: Theodore Landsmark (attorney) speaks to the media at a press conference. His face is in bandages. Landsmark gives an account of the attack he sustained on City Hall Plaza, perpetrated by white teenagers attending an anti-busing rally. He commends the actions of Clarence Jones (Deputy Mayor, City of Boston), who came to his aid after the attack. Landsmark talks about the media's coverage of his attack. Landsmark says that he will seek full prosecution of his attackers, and adds that he will bring suit against members of the Boston School Committee and the Boston City Council. He condemns white city leaders who "incite and encourage" racist violence. Landsmark calls for an end to racism and race discrimination in the city. He accuses the white power structure of ignoring the problems of minority citizens.
1:00:04: Visual: A group of African American men greet each other at the entrance of the room where Theodore Landsmark (attorney) will hold a press conference. Landsmark enters the room. His nose and face are bandaged with white tape. An African American woman hands him a note as he enters. Landsmark sits down behind a table with microphones. An African American man sits beside him. A group of African American men and women, and a few white people, stand behind him as he speaks. Reporters sit at the other side of the table and stand around the room. The reporters take notes as Landsmark speaks. 1:02:00: V: Landsmark notes that there has been conflict among the media over coverage of the press conference; that he wants both union and non-union members of the media to cover the press conference; that the media needs to work out the union issues outside of the press conference. Landsmark greets the media and reads a statement. He says that the press conference will be brief because he needs to get some rest; that he lost a lot of blood in the attack. Landsmark says that he is concerned that the publicity generated by the attack may distort some of the crucial issues which need to be discussed. Landsmark runs through the sequence of events on the day of the attack. Landsmark says that he was on his way to an affirmative action committee meeting with the Boston Redevelopment Authority; that he was beaten and kicked by a crowd of young people coming from an anti-busing rally at City Hall. Landsmark refutes rumors that Clarence Jones (Deputy Mayor, City of Boston) had been with him and ran away from the scene. Landsmark says that he regrets the circulation of the false reports regarding Jones; that Jones was the only person who left City Hall to aid him after the attack. Landsmark says that he will seek full prosecution of the youth involved in the attack; that he will take action in civil and criminal court against members of the Boston City Council and the Boston School Committee; that he would like to see an end to the use of City Hall as "a sanctuary for racism and a resource center for those who would incite and encourage racist violence." Landsmark says that some city officials perpetuate discrimination against people of color in Boston on a daily basis. Landsmark expresses gratitude to members of the African American and white communities for the many acts of kindness and courage shown to him after the attack. Landsmark adds that meaningful gestures by the white community before the attack could have prevented the violence. Landsmark says that he is grateful for the support of the Black Caucus, the Board of Directors of the Contractors Association of Boston, and the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association. Landsmark thanks the newspaper and TV cameramen for capturing the attack on film. He says that he wishes that somebody had come to his aid, but is grateful for the record of the attack provided by the journalists. Landsmark says that without the photos, the attack would have been recorded "as just another scuffle on the street." Landsmark says that racism is to blame for the attack; that racism in the city of Boston has been fueled by selfish politicians; that politicians continue to ignore the social and economic problems of the city. Landsmark says that he will work to solve these problems in the African American community; that solving these problems will benefit all citizens. Landsmark says that the attack lays bare the problems of the city; that the problems go beyond issues of safety in the street or busing. Landsmark notes that the attack has been called "an isolated incident" by J. Stanley Pottinger (Assistant US Attorney General). Landsmark says that he does not agree; that people of color must be allowed to participate on an equal basis in all areas and levels of business and city government. Landsmark says that the issue of racism must not be subordinated; that the white power structure is indifferent to people of color in the city; that businesses and government must work together to improve the economic situation of people of color in Boston. 1:15:29: V: Reporters ask Landsmark questions after his statement. A reporter asks him to specify city officials against whom he will bring suit. Landsmark says that he will not name the officials because he does not want to jeopardize any of the lawsuits. A reporter asks him if he will bring suit against Louise Day Hicks (Boston City Council). Landsmark says that he will not comment except that his attackers were violating truancy laws; that his attackers were marching on City Hall Plaza without a parade permit. Landsmark notes that Hicks invited the protestors into her office to escape from the cold; that police officers were on duty near City Hall Plaza, but did not arrive on the scene until after the attack. Landsmark says that he cannot comment on how the police department should have deployed its personnel to control the unlicensed protest on City Hall Plaza by the students. A reporter asks Landsmark if he agrees with the Black Caucus' decision to call for the resignation of Kevin White (Mayor, City of Boston). Landsmark says that the Black Caucus is looking for better leadership from White on issues of affirmative action, busing, and unemployment. Landsmark says that he has received calls from around the country; that many are appalled by the incident on City Hall Plaza; that the city can take action to prevent more violent incidents.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 04/07/1976
Description: 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.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 04/22/1976