Description: Sound goes in and out. Footage of a meeting of the Boston Redevelopment Authority. Heated argument between Mr. Ashe and Mr. Kiley. Other members speak. During the meeting, a member of the public housing tenants community makes a speech, and other tenants sit-in and demand the resignation of the chairman. Another man gives a speech for the rights of the tenants to a large audience. Mostly demolished building. Interview with a man on the tenants movement against the BRA, particularly the Tent City protest. Bishop Stokes of the Protestant Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts presents a check for $10,000 to the leaders of the tenants movement. Footage of people demonstrating at the lot at the corner of Dartmouth and Columbus in the South End. Footage of the remnants of Tent City, with reporter voice over. Close up shots of dangerous housing. Young people building structures of sticks and plastic tarps. Footage of Tent City. More of the interview with man on community involvement with the BRA planning. Interview with Mr. Rollins and another man on their protest of the BRA, after their arrests. People disassembling Tent City. Interview with BRA official on community relations with urban renewal projects. He talks about Ed Logue's work. Then he makes a statement about the state of the BRA when he took office.
Collection: WHDH
Date Created: 04/1968
Description: Low-income residents line up to become potential South End homeowners in Tent City project. Photographs from the 1968 tent city protest. Interviews with applicants and Tent City administrations on affordable housing.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 08/13/1987
Description: Hope Kelly reports that the Tent City Housing Complex in the South End will soon open. She notes that the housing complex is named for the protests that began on the site twenty years before. Kelly reviews the history of the Tent City site. Kelly's report includes photos of the protests at the Tent City site in the 1960s. Kelly interviews Betty Meredith (Executive Director, Tent City Corporation) and Michael Kane (Chairman, Tent City Corporation) outside of the housing complex. Kane and Meredith talk about the struggle by South End residents to get the housing complex built. Kane says that affordable housing was not a priority in this part of the city until now. Kelly interviews Mel King (community activist) about the Tent City site. Kelly reports that Copley Place was developed while the Tent City site was ignored. Kelly's report includes a time-lapse arrangement of shots documenting the construction of Copley Place. Kelly reports that 75% of the units in the housing complex are low- and moderate-income units. Kelly interviews Sophie Iglesias (Marketing Director) and Florcie Versailles (Tent City resident) about the housing complex..,
1:00:19: Visual: Shots from the window of a building on Copley Place. Shots of the high-rise buildings near Copley Place; of the South End. Hope Kelly reports on the long-standing controversy surrounding the Tent City site in the South End. V: Footage of Betty Meredith (Executive Director, Tent City Corporation) sitting outside of the Tent City Housing Development. Meredith says that she knew that South End residents would have to fight to get the housing development built. Shot of a man approaching the entrance to the Tent City Development with balloons in his hand. Shots of the exterior of the Tent City Housing Complex. Kelly reports that the Tent City Housing Complex will open tomorrow; that the housing complex is named for the protests that began on the site twenty years ago. Kelly reports that the city of Boston sold a parcel of land in the South End to William Fitzgerald (former Fire Commissioner of the City of Boston) in the 1960s; that Fitzgerald tore down the buildings on the land to make a parking lot. Kelly reports that the buildings on the land had been the homes and residences of many African American South End residents. Kelly notes that the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) had promised to replace the buildings in 1965; that South End residents began to protest on the site in 1968 because nothing had been built. V: Shots of South End residents protesting on the Tent City site; of a protest sign on the Tent City site reading, "People, not cars. This is a place where homes should be." Shots of graffiti on a building reading, "BRA, go away." Shots of police officers on the Tent City site; of tents erected to house the protesters; of Mel King (community activist) being arrested by police on the Tent City site. Footage of Mel King in the South End. King says that the protesters did not believe that the city should allow people to be displaced in order to build parking lots. Kelly reports that Meredith was one of the original Tent City protesters; that Michael Kane (Chairman, Tent City Corporation) joined the protest in the 1970s because nothing had been built. V: Footage of Kelly interviewing Meredith and Kane outside of the development. Footage of Kane saying that the protesters had to block the city from building market-rate housing and a 1400-car parking garage on the site. Kelly reports that the city developed the Copley Place area while ignoring the Tent City site. V: Shot of the Tent City site in the early 1980s. A time-lapse arrangement of shots shows the construction of buildings on Copley Place. Footage of Meredith saying that the protesters had to wait a long time for the development to be built because they did not have the money to develop the land themselves. Footage of Kane saying that affordable housing was not a priority in this part of the city during the 1970s. Kelly reports that Kane and Meredith give Ray Flynn (Mayor of Boston) credit for the development of the Tent City site. V: Shots of the exterior of the Tent City Housing Complex. Kelly reports that there are 369 units in the Tent City development; that 75% of the units are low- and moderate-income units; that 25% of the units are market rate. V: Footage of Sophie Iglesias (Marketing Director) standing in an apartment in the Tent City Housing Complex. Iglesias says that this one-bedroom apartment has a market rate of $1,000 per month. Shots of the exterior of the housing complex. Kelly reports that low- and moderate-income renters will pay one-third of their income; that some renters will pay as little as $200 per month. V: Footage of Iglesias saying that people are not fully aware of the great need for affordable housing in the city of Boston. Footage of Meredith saying that over 6,000 people applied for the low- and moderate-income units. Kelly reports that priority is given to former South End residents who have been displaced. V: Footage of Kelly interviewing Florcie Versailles (Tent City resident). Versailles says that she would not be able to afford to live in Tent City without help from the government. Shot of Versailles in the lobby of the housing developement. Versailles pushes a child in a stroller. Footage of Meredith saying that the housing development took a long time to build; that the development will be a nice place for people to live.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 04/29/1988
Description: Several takes of reporter standup. History of the struggle to develop low income housing on the South End site where the Tent City Corporation is fighting to build. South End environs. Sign for a community garden. Construction workers and equipment starting work at Tent City construction site. Equal Housing Opportunity bulletin. South End apartment buildings. Residents in front of apartments and on balconies. Coffin with "Broke BRA Promises" written on it. Interview with Tent City Corporation representative on their efforts.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/22/1981
Description: Mel King (candidate for mayor of Boston) attends a meeting of the Tent City Corporation, chaired by Joan Tighe (chairwoman, Tent City Corporation), regarding the development of the Tent City site. Tighe says that the group will work to maintain affordable housing units at the site and to scale down a proposed plan for a parking garage on the site. Crowd sings happy birthday to Tinghe. Christy George interviews King about his position on housing issues and those of his opponents Ray Flynn (candidate for mayor of Boston) and David Finnegan (candidate for mayor of Boston). King criticizes condominium conversions and talks about the need for a strong rent control program. King discusses the link between employment and housing, and says that the community needs more low- and moderate-income housing units. King notes that the federal government is not aware of the housing crisis across the nation; he adds that the federal government needs a better housing policy.
1:00:04: Visual: Mel King (candidate for mayor of Boston) enters a room where a meeting about the Tent City Development is being held. White and African American attendees sit on either side of a long table. King greets a few of the attendees, then sits down near a window at the side of the room. Joan Tighe (chairwoman, Tent City Corporation) reviews the goals of the Tent City Corporation. Tighe says that the Tent City Corporation aims to be the sole developer of the Tent City site; that they will work with the mayor to maintain affordable housing units at the site; that they will work to scale down a proposed plan for a parking garage. The meeting is adjourned. Meeting members tidy up the room. King greets the attendees. Meeting members and King sing "Happy Birthday" to Tighe. King continues to greet attendees. 1:05:22: V: Christy George interviews King. She asks him about his position on housing and about the positions of his opponents Ray Flynn (candidate for mayor of Boston) and David Finnegan (candidate for mayor of Boston). King talks about the need for a strong rent control program and criticizes condominium conversions. King says that new public housing must be built. King says that there is a link between jobs and housing; that people need employment in order to afford housing. King says that the city and the voters must lobby the federal government for a better housing policy. George asks about the differences between King's position and the positions of Flynn and Finnegan. King says that housing must be community-based; that the community needs low- and moderate-income housing. King says that there are other housing issues besides rent control and condominium conversion; that public housing must be protected and improved; that the city must work to provide more housing. King says that he would like to investigate the possibility of a city-wide housing and finance program. King adds that the federal government needs to be aware of the housing crisis across the nation; that the nation needs a good federal housing program. George comments that there are differences between King's position and Finnegan's position. She asks about the differences between King's position and Flynn's position. King says that he has been involved with groups like the Tent City Corporation, who have worked to provide housing. King notes that Flynn has not advocated for a federal approach to the housing crisis. King talks about the need for a tenant equity program in Boston. George thanks King and closes the interview. The crew takes cutaway shots of George and King. George and King speak informally.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/19/1983
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
Description: Meg Vaillancourt reports that Mel King and Jim Roosevelt are among those running to succeed Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill (Speaker of the House) in Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District. Vaillancourt compares the upbringing and careers of both King and Roosevelt, noting that they are not at all alike and that neither has anything in common with O'Neill. Vaillancourt talks about King's political experience and Roosevelt's public service experience and notes that the two candidates, along with Joseph P. Kennedy and George Bachrach are the frontrunners in the race. The report includes footage from interviews with both candidates and with Jim Roosevelt's sister, Anne Roosevelt Johnson. The report also features photographs of the two candidates throughout their careers and footage of both candidates campaigning.
1:00:26: Visual: Footage of Tip O'Neill (Speaker of the US House of Representatives) speaking to veterans at a VFW post in North Cambridge. The veterans applaud O'Neill. Meg Vaillancourt reports that Mel King (community activist) and Jim Roosevelt (candidate for US Congress) are among those running to succeed O'Neill in the 8th Congressional District. Vaillancourt notes that King and O'Neill are not alike; that neither have anything in common with O'Neill. V: Footage of Roosevelt talking about his candidacy at a campaign rally. Footage of King at a campaign rally, saying that he is "a candidate for the people." Vaillancourt says that neither King nor Roosevelt fit into O'Neill's tradition of "clubhouse" politics; that King is courting minority voters and the left; that Roosevelt is campaigning for the votes of affluent professionals. V: Shots of a King campaign sign; of two older white women applauding Roosevelt at a campaign rally. Shots of Roosevelt, King, Joseph Kennedy (candidate for US Congress) and George Bachrach (State Senator) campaigning. Vaillancourt reports that King, Kennedy, Bachrach and Roosevelt are the frontrunners in the race. V: Shot of a black and white photograph of King sitting at a desk. Footage of King talking about his modest family background. He says that his parents were hard workers; that his mother taught him to make clothes; that he sometimes makes the bow ties that he wears today. Shot of a black and white photo of Roosevelt as a boy. Footage of Roosevelt talking about the legacy of his grandfather, Franklin D. Roosevelt (former US President). Vaillancourt reports that Roosevelt has never run for political office; that King is a "perennial candidate." Vaillancourt says that Roosevelt comes from a patrician family with a long political tradition; that King is the son of West Indian immigrants. V: Footage of King campaigning on the street; of Roosevelt campaigning on the street. Shots of black and white photographs of Roosevelt and King as young men; of Roosevelt in a school photo; of King in his high school yearbook. Vaillancourt reports that Roosevelt lives in Cambridge and graduated from Harvard Law School; that King lives in the South End and graduated from all-black Claflin College in South Carolina. V: Shots of Roosevelt's house in Cambridge; of King's home in the South End. Shots of black and white photographs of Roosevelt as a student at Harvard; of King in a group photo at Claflin College. Footage of King greeting a voter at a campaign rally; of Roosevelt shaking hands with voters on the street. Footage of King talking about how his father taught him to share with those who are less fortunate. Shots of black and white photographs of King as a member of a youth basketball team; of King coaching basketball. Vaillancourt reports that King's father was a longshoreman; that his mother was active in the church; that King has held jobs working with youth gangs and as a director of a Settlement House in the South End. V: Footage of King saying talking about working with people. Vaillancourt reports that Roosevelt lived in a monastery for a year after graduating from high school. V: Shot of a black and white photo of Roosevelt as a member of the Order. Footage of Roosevelt saying that he felt a spiritual calling to serve people; that he serves people in a different way now. Roosevelt says that he had difficulty following the vow of obedience. Shot of a black and white photograph of Roosevelt serving in the Navy. Shots of color photographs of Roosevelt in his naval uniform; of Roosevelt campaigning for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Vaillancourt talks about Roosevelt's career in public service. Vaillancourt reports that Roosevelt has served on the boards of the Mt. Auburn Hospital and the Cambridge Public Library; that Roosevelt has campaigned for numerous Democratic candidates; that Roosevelt's name garners him a lot of attention. V: Shot of a black and white photo of Roosevelt and O'Neill. Footage of Anne Roosevelt Johnson (Roosevelt's sister) talking about how Roosevelt read the Congressional Record as a boy. Footage of Roosevelt campaigning among the elderly. Footage of King greeting three women at a campaign rally. Vaillancourt talks about King's political experience. Vaillancourt reports that King was a state representative for ten years; that King is a two-time mayoral candidate. V: Footage of Vaillancourt interviewing King. King talks about his record of strong political leadership. King says that he has a stronger record than any of the other candidates. Vaillancourt reports that Roosevelt is using his famous name to take on Joseph Kennedy. V: Footage of Roosevelt signing autographs for children. Shot of a radio engineer. Audio of a Roosevelt campaign radio advertisement. Vaillancourt reports that Roosevelt has been criticized for "Kennedy-bashing." V: Footage of Roosevelt saying that he has been trying to engage Kennedy in a debate on the issues. Vaillancourt reports that Roosevelt has spent $65,000 on radio ads; that King has spent no money on advertising. V: Footage of King campaigning in Roxbury. Shots of a black and white photo of King meeting with white leaders in the 1960s; of King being arrested by police at Tent City in the 1970s. Vaillancourt reports that 90% of voters in the eighth district recognize King's name. Vaillancourt talks about King's involvement in the protest politics of the 1960s and 1970s. V: Footage of Roosevelt saying that King does not represent the viewpoint of most voters in the district. Footage of King saying that his politics are inclusive. Vaillancourt stands on a streetcorner. Vaillancourt reports that King's Rainbow Coalition is well known; that the Rainbow Coalition has not produced any winning candidates; that Roosevelt has support from Cambridge civic activists; that the district includes other areas besides Cambridge. Vaillancourt reports that Kennedy is leading in the polls.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 04/01/1986