Description: David Boeri reports that Boston City Councilor James Kelly along with City Councilor Dapper O'Neil, and white public housing tenants walks to the courthouse to file a suit against the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to stop the federal plan aimed at ending the city of Boston's discriminatory public housing policies. The federal plan mandates a citywide waiting list for public housing, on which the position of white tenants has now dropped. Boeri reports on the housing situations of Pamela Walsh (plaintiff) and William Katramados. Boeri notes that both are on the waiting list for public housing and their positions on the waiting list have dropped. Interview with Walsh and Katramados. Boeri's report is accompanied by footage of Walsh with her two children in temporary housing and by footage of the Katramados family's overcrowded apartment. Kelly, at a press conference, says that the federal plan gives minority applicants preference. He adds that white tenants are being denied housing on the basis of their race. Boeri reports that Kelly has been unable to find a law firm to take the case.
1:00:16: Visual: Footage of James Kelly (Boston City Council), Dapper O'Neil (Boston City Council), and a small group of people exiting City Hall. Kelly, O'Neil and the group walk across City Hall Plaza. The group with Kelly and O'Neil includes white applicants for public housing. David Boeri reports that Kelly will file suit to stop the federal plan aimed at remedying discrimination in Boston's public housing policy. Boeri notes that Kelly's fellow plaintiffs are white housing applicants. Boeri adds that Kelly says that white housing applicants are the real victims of discrimination. Boeri reports that Pamela Walsh (plaintiff) is living with her parents in Cambridge while she is on the waiting list to get into public housing in South Boston. V: Shots of Walsh walking through a small park; of Walsh with her children in the basement of a house. Footage of Walsh pointing out where her children sleep. Shots of Walsh and her children in a kitchen. Boeri reports that Walsh had been sixth on the waiting list to get into the Old Colony Housing Project in South Boston; that Walsh is now 483rd on a city-wide waiting list under the new federal housing plan. V: Footage of Walsh saying that she had been on the waiting list for five years; that she will now have to wait another two or three years. Boeri reports that William Katramados (plaintiff) is married; that there is no room for him to live in his family's apartment. V: Shot of Katramados walking into a housing project building. Footage of Boeri in the Katramados' apartment with William Katramados and his family. A family member says that eight people live in the apartment. Shots of family members in the crowded apartment. Boeri reports that Katramados's wife lives with her mother, her brother, her sister and her children in the apartment. V: Footage of the family members indicating the bed where one of the children sleeps. Katramados' daughter says that she sleeps in her mother's room. Footage of Boeri being shown a bedroom by William Katramados and Sandra Katramados (wife of William). Shot of an infant in a cradle. Boeri reports that Sandra Katramados shares a room with her five-week-old babies and her daughter; that William Katramados lives in Brighton. Boeri notes that the Katramados family was third on a waiting list for a larger apartment until the federal housing plan took effect. V: Footage of William Katramados saying that the family is now around number 2,000 on the waiting list. Boeri walks outside of the Maverick Street Housing Project. A group of children cool off in a spray of water from a fire hydrant. Boeri reports that the Katramados requested another apartment in the Maverick Street Housing Project; that the Katramados were willing to wait for an apartment to open up in the project. Boeri reports that the new federal housing plan consoidates waiting lists for individual housing projects into a city-wide waiting list. V: Footage of Kelly and O'Neil walking down a street with Katramados and other plaintiffs. Shot of Katramados. Boeri reports that Kelly accuses the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) of victimizing the plaintiffs; that Kelly wants HUD to target the metropolitan area for public housing integration. V: Footage of Kelly speaking from a podium. The plaintiffs are seated behind him. Kelly says that the federal plan gives minority applicants preference on the city-wide waiting list; that other applicants are denied housing on the basis of race under the federal plan. Boeri reports that Kelly was unable to find a law firm to take the case; that Kelly may have to argue the case himself in court.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 08/03/1988
Description: Jan von Mehren reports that City Councilor James Kelly denies that Boston's public housing policy is discriminatory and plans to ask the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for proof of discrimination. He has proposed an alternative housing policy which allows tenants to choose where they want to live. Mayor Ray Flynn has agreed to present Kelly's plan to HUD for discussion. Kelly and Flynn attend a South Boston community meeting, where Kelly speaks out against housing integration. The crowd jeers at Flynn as he approaches the stage. Von Mehren's report is accompanied by footage of white and African American residents of housing projects in Boston.
1:00:06: Visual: Shot of James Kelly (Boston City Council) at a community meeting in South Boston. Shots of audience members at the meeting applauding; of Ray Flynn (Mayor of Boston) at the meeting. Audio of audience members booing Flynn. Jan von Mehren reports that Kelly called a community meeting in South Boston to discuss public housing; that Flynn attended the meeting; that Flynn was booed by the crowd. V: Footage of Kelly at the meeting. Kelly dismisses the findings of discrimination in Boston public housing. Shot of a sign for the Mary Ellen McCormack Housing Development; of white women and children of a park bench; of a white boy scrambling under a fence near a housing project in South Boston. Von Mehren reports that there are approximately 2,000 housing units in South Boston; that no African American families have been placed in South Boston since Flynn entered office. Von Mehren reports that Kelly will ask the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for proof of discrimination; that Kelly has come up with an alternative housing plan. V: Footage of Kelly speaking at the meeting. Audience members are crowded into the room. Kelly talks about his "freedom of choice" housing plan, in which no family would be placed in a neighborhood without their consent. Von Mehren notes that Kelly's plan would permit African American families to move into white housing projects; that Kelly's plan would not force white families to move into primarily African American housing projects. V: Shots of a racially diverse group of children outside of a housing project. Von Mehren stands at the entrance to the community meeting in South Boston. Von Mehren reports that Flynn has promised to discuss Kelly's plan to HUD; that he will not submit the plan if it is deemed discriminatory. V: Footage of Flynn at the meeting. Flynn says that he will try to achieve as much choice as is possible in the new plan; that the new plan will not discriminate. Von Mehren reports that Flynn made clear that he has an obligation to work with HUD. Von Mehren notes that Kelly was clear about his intention to fight for South Boston residents. V: Shots of Flynn at the meeting; of Kelly at the meeting; of audience members.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 03/01/1988
Description: Martin Luther King, Jr. received his doctorate of theology from Boston University in 1955, and he donated more than 80,000 personal papers to the university before he died. Coretta Scott King has filed suit against the university to get the papers returned to her. Interviews with students on campus about whether BU should return the papers to Scott King. The law firm of Melvin Miller, a BU Trustee, is handling the case for the university. Miller has accused Scott King of trying to profit from her husbands' materials. Scott King does not believe that King's agreement with the university is binding. Interview with BU Vice President Greg Felker and Black Student Union President Kiphanie Radford about the case. Shots of the papers and footage of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. This tape includes additional footage of King's papers on display at BU.
1:00:10: Visual: Black and white footage of Martin Luther King (civil rights leader) delivering the "I Have a Dream" speech. Marcus Jones reports that King was one of Boston University's most distinguished graduates; that King received his doctorate of theology from the university in 1955; that a statue in honor of King was placed on the campus after his assassination in 1968. V: Shots of students on the BU campus near the statue honoring King; of the statue honoring King. Jones reports that King donated more than 80,000 personal papers to the university before he died; that Coretta Scott King (widow of King) wants the papers returned to her. V: Black and white shots of King. Shots of the King papers on display; of Coretta Scott King. Jones reports that Coretta Scott King has filed suit against BU. V: Shot of Coretta Scott King standing near the Martin Luther King's grave. Footage of a white male student saying that the university should give the papers back; of an Asian American female student saying that BU is within its rights to keep the papers. Footage of a white female student saying that BU should return the papers if they are not being cared for properly. Footage of a male student saying that Coretta Scott King should have the papers. Jones reports that the law firm of Melvin Miller (BU Trustee) is handling the case for the university; that Miller accuses Coretta Scott King of trying to make a profit from her husband's written material. V: Footage of Miller addressing an audience. Shot of a newspaper article in The Daily Free Press with a headline reading, "Miller: Mrs. King not telling the truth." Footage of King delivering the "I Have a Dream" speech at the March on Washington in 1963. Shot of Coretta Scott King. Jones reports that Coretta Scott King claims that Martin Luther King had changed his mind about keeping his papers at BU before his death. Jones notes that Miller disputes the claim by Coretta Scott King. V: Footage of Greg Felker (Vice President, BU Student Union) saying that BU should return the papers. Felker adds that there is evidence to support Coretta Scott King's claim that Martin Luther King changed his mind about housing the papers at BU. Footage of Kiphanie Radford (President, BU Black Student Union) saying that there may be merit in BU's refusal to return the papers. Shot of King's papers on display. Text of a quote from King is displayed on screen. Jones quotes a letter written by King to BU: "In the event of my death, all such materials deposited with the University shall become from that date the absolute property of Boston University." Jones says that Coretta Scott King claims that King's letter is not binding. V: Shots of Coretta Scott King at the grave of Martin Luther King; of a sign for the Martin Luther King Jr. reading room at Boston University. Jones stands on the BU campus. Jones reports that the public outcry surrounding the issue has not convinced BU to return the papers. Jones adds that BU is scheduled to respond to Coretta Scott King's charges on Monday, which is the anniversary of King's death.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 04/01/1988
Description: Hope Kelly reports that Charles Laquidara (WBCN disc jockey) is leading a radio campaign against the Shell Oil Company. Laquidara is encouraging listeners to cut up their Shell credit cards to protest Shell's involvement with the repressive South African government. The campaign is part of a larger international boycott aimed at all Shell products. Interview with Laquidara about the campaign. Footage of Laquidara and employees in the WBCN studios and footage of Roger Clemens (Boston Red Sox) in the WBCN studios. Kelly quotes Norm Allsteader (Shell Oil Company) as denying any Shell involvement with the South African government. Kelly reports that Jerry Straccia (Shell Oil dealer in East Boston) is feeling the effects of the boycott. Interview with Straccia about the boycott. Straccia criticizes the boycott. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following items: Teachers and parents are frustrated over new starting times for the Boston Public Schools for the coming school year and Meg Vaillancourt interviews Elma Lewis about the Roxbury neighborhood
1:00:13: Visual: Footage of Charles Laquidara (WBCN disc jockey) in the WBCN radio studio. Laquidara introduces a song. Shots of Laquidara putting up anti-apartheid signs in the studio. Shots of the signs. Footage of Laquidara saying on-air that the Shell Oil Company supports the South African "military machine." Hope Kelly reports that Laquidara is leading a radio campaign called "Shell shock"; that Laquidara is encouraging radio listeners to cut up their Shell credit cards in order to protest Shell's involvement with the South African government. V: Shots of a WBCN female employee opening the mail; of cut up credit cards pulled from the envelopes. Kelly reports that local celebrities are participating in the campaign. V: Footage of Roger Clemens (Boston Red Sox pitcher) in the WBCN studio. Clemens reads an anti-apartheid radio spot. Kelly reports that Clemens came in to do a radio spot; that Ray Flynn (Mayor of Boston) has turned in his credit card. V: Shots of WBCN employee pulling cut-up credit cards from envelopes received by WBCN. V: Footage of Laquidara in the studio, being interviewed by Kelly. Laquidara says that twenty or thirty credit cards are being turned in each day; that he would like to see 1,000 credit cards be turned in each day. Laquidara says that each credit card represents money to Shell. Shot of a sign above a Shell gas station. Kelly reports that the Shell Company says that the campaign has had no effect. V: Footage of Laquidara saying that he hopes these campaigns will convince Shell to get out of South Africa; that he hopes other companies will follow suit. Laquidara says getting out of South Africa is the right thing for Shell to do. Shot of a radio script with instructions for listeners on how to participate in the campaign. Kelly reports that Laquidara's campaign is part of a larger international boycott aimed at all Shell products. Kelly notes that Royal Dutch Shell has approximately 300 subsidiaries; that Shell Oil Company is a visible subsidiary in the US. V: Shot of Laquidara in the studio holding a bumper sticker reading, "Get the Shell out of South Africa." Laquidara speaks on the air. Shots of a car pulling up to a Shell gas station; of a large Shell sign above the gas station. A quote from Norm Allsteader (Shell Oil Company) appears written on-screen. Kelly quotes Norm Allsteader (Shell Oil Company) as saying that "Shell Oil Company has no employees, no investments, and certainly sells no oil to South Africa." V: Footage of Laquidara saying that members of the Board of Directors of Royal Dutch Shell sit in on board meetings at the Shell subsidiary in Houston, Texas. A second quote from Norm Allsteader (Shell Oil Company) appears written on-screen. Kelly quotes Allsteader as saying, "No Shell company outside of South Africa is sending any oil to South Africa." V: Shot of Jerry Straccia (Shell oil dealer in East Boston) wiping the gas pumps clean at his Shell gas station. Kelly stands in the parking lot of Straccia's Shell station in East Boston. Kelly reports that there are over 300 Shell stations in New England. Kelly notes that Straccia says that he is feeling the effects of the boycott. V: Footage of Straccia standing in front of gas pumps at his station. Straccia says that Laquidara's campaign is going to hurt a lot of people before it affects Shell. Shot of the Shell sign above Straccia's gas station. Shot of Straccia and a mechanic looking under the hood of a car. Audio of Straccia saying that he has noticed a 50% drop in business; that the decline is most noticeable during the morning hours when Laquidara is on the air. Kelly reports that Straccia has been a Shell dealer for over three years; that Straccia had been a fan of Laquidara until now. V: Shots of Straccia standing near the gas pumps; of the handle of a gas pump in the gas tank of a car. Kelly reports that Straccia has not spoken to any other Shell dealers about the campaign; that Straccia has spoken to Laquidara. V: Footage of Straccia saying that Laquidara told him that he understands Straccia's position. Straccia says that he does not think that Laquidara understands how much he is hurting Straccia. Footage of Laquidara saying that he does not know how long he will keep the campaign going.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 08/23/1988
Description: Emerson College will be moving from downtown Boston to Lawrence in 1992. Interview with a representative of Emerson on the reasons for the move. Interview with Lawrence Mayor Kevin Sullivan on the urban renewal project that will help improve the city. Sullivan, Gov. Dukakis, and Sen. Patricia McGovern speak at a ceremony held at the site along the Merrimack River. Construction in progress on site. Interview with William Callaghee, publisher of the Lawrence News, who speaks against the project. Interviews with Lawrence residents on the benefits they predict will come from the relocation of Emerson into their city.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 12/27/1988
Description: Meg Vaillancourt reports that Jesse Jackson gave a speech at Sanders Theatre at Harvard University as part of his effort to support the presidential campaign of Michael Dukakis. Jackson attacked George Bush and the Republican Party on issues of race, and defended the term "liberal" from Republican attacks. Additional footage of Jackson and Dukakis at the 1988 Democratic Convention. Independent presidential candidate Lenora Fulani also visited Boston today. Fulani is the African American progressive candidate of the New Alliance Party. Interview with Fulani, who says that progressive voters need to vote against Dukakis. She adds that the Democratic Party needs to differentiate itself from the Republican Party in order to win the votes of progressives. Vaillancourt notes that Fulani is a Jackson supporter. Vaillancourt reports that Fulani will probably not be a threat to Dukakis in the 1988 election. She adds that a future Jackson candidacy could threaten the Democratic Party by attracting disenchanted progressive voters from the Democratic Party.
1:00:14: Visual: Footage of Jesse Jackson (African American political leader) addressing an audience at Sanders Theatre at Harvard University. Jackson talks about the civil rights movement. Shots of the audience. Meg Vaillancourt reports that Jackson attacked the Republican Party in his speech at Saunder Theatre today; that Jackson accused the Republicans of misusing the term "liberal" in the presidential campaign. V: Footage of Jackson at Sanders Theatre. Jackson accuses George Bush (Republican US presidential nominee) of attacking civil liberties as "subversive." Jackson riffs on the term "liberal." Shots of the audience applauding for Jackson. Vaillancourt notes that Jackson was campaigning for Michael Dukakis (Democratic US presidential nominee); that Jackson attacked Bush on issues of race. V: Footage of Jackson accusing Bush of buying a property labeled "caucasians only" in Houston. Footage from CNN of Dukakis, Kitty Dukakis (wife of Dukakis), Jackson, Jaqueline Jackson (wife of Jackson), and other Democratic Party leaders on stage at the 1988 Democratic Convention. Vaillancourt notes that Jackson appears frequently with Dukakis; that Jackson defended Dukakis's campaign style in his speech today. V: Footage of Jackson saying that "passion is a new extra-constitutional requirement" for the presidency. Vaillancourt stands outside of Memorial Hall at Harvard University. Vaillancourt reports that Lenora Fulani (Independent candidate for US President) was in Boston today; that Fulani is an African American progressive candidate for the presidency. V: Footage of Fulani being interviewed by Vaillancourt. Fulani says that voters should not vote for Dukakis; that the Democratic Party needs to learn not to take African American and white progressive voters for granted. Vaillancourt reports that Fulani is the candidate of the New Alliance Party. Vaillancourt adds that Fulani describes the New Alliance Party as a progressive party which is mindful of gay and minority voters. V: Footage of Jackson shaking hands with supporters after his speech. Jackson holds up a young white girl. He gives the thumbs-up sign to the crowd. Vaillancourt reports that Fulani is a Jackson supporter; that Fulani is running against Dukakis. V: Footage of Fulani being interviewed by Vaillancourt. Fulani says that progressive voters need to vote according to their own self-interests; she urges progressive voters to vote against Dukakis. Vaillancourt asks if progressive voters should vote for Fulani and risk having a Republican president. Fulani says that the Democratic Party is responsible for the Republican victories of Ronald Reagan (US President) and Richard Nixon (former US President). Fulani says that the Democratic Party needs to differentiate itself from the Republican Party. Fulani says that Dukakis is now paying attention to progressive voters because he is down in the polls. Vaillancourt reports that Fulani will probably not be a threat to Dukakis; that her criticism may signal a future problem for the party. V: Shot of Jackson on stage at the end of his speech. Vaillancourt reports that the Democratic Party would be threatened if a candidate like Jackson decided to run as an independent candidate; that his candidacy would attract disenchanted Democratic voters. Vaillancourt reports that Jackson is still campaigning strongly for Dukakis; that Jackson's campaign efforts make him a force within the Democratic Party.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/24/1988
Description: Harvard University Hasty Pudding Club names Lucille Ball the 1988 Woman of the Year. Harvard University marching band plays "I Love Lucy" theme song as they accompany Lucy along the street. Footage of the actress accepting the award on stage. Reporter Marcus Jones gives a brief retrospective on the 76-year-old actress's rise to fame before "I Love Lucy," and off-screen involvement in radio and Broadway performances. Clips from feature films that Ball had roles in alongside Catherine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, and Fred Astaire. Still image of Ball with Marx Brothers. Clip of Lucy and husband Ricky (Desi Arnaz) announcing pregnancy. Ball tells Hasty Pudding Club a story about inspiration for a chocolate comedy routine. Closing sequence of slapstick clips from "I Love Lucy."
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 02/19/1988
Description: Marcus Jones reports that Mamie Till-Mobley (civil rights activist) received a lifetime activism award from a Massachusetts senior citizen action group. Jones reports that Till-Mobley's son, Emmett, was brutally murdered in Mississippi in 1955. Jones notes that Till-Mobley's determination to bring the murderers to justice has been an inspiration to other African Americans. Jones notes that the Eyes On The Prize series has brought attention to Till-Mobley's role in the civil rights movement. Jones' report includes footage from Eyes on the Prize. Jones reports that James Farmer (civil rights activist) also received an award from the organization. Jones' report features footage of Farmer and Till-Mobley at a press conference after the awards ceremony. Jones interviews Till-Mobley, who discusses her role in the civil rights movement. Jones notes that Till-Mobley has organized the Emmett Till players, who travel with Mobley to spread the message of the civil rights movement. Jones' report includes footage of performances at the awards ceremony by Ericka Elcy and Patrice Richardson of the Emmett Till Players.
1:00:05: Visual: Footage of Mamie Till-Mobley talking about the civil rights movement. Till-Mobley says that she wanted the world to see the horrible events taking place in the US. Marcus Jones reports that the brutal murder of Emmet Louis Till startled the nation in 1955; that Emmet Louis Till was from Chicago; that Emmet Louis Till was visiting relatives in Mississippi in 1955. Jones reports that Emmet Louis Till said "Bye, baby" to a white woman when exiting a grocery store; that Emmet Louis Till's body was found in the Tallahatchie River a few days later. V: Footage from Eyes On The Prize of Emmet Louis Till's funeral. Shots of a black and white photo of Emmet Louis Till; of Bryant's grocery store in Mississippi; of a river. Footage from Eyes on the Prize of Mamie Till-Mobley at a press conference. Shots of whites seated in an audience. Jones reports that Till-Mobley's determination to bring her son's murderers to justice was an inspiration to other African Americans. V: Black and white footage from Eyes On The Prize of Rosa Parks (civil rights activist); of Martin Luther King Jr. (civil rights leader); of a city bus in Montgomery, Alabama; of white people seated at the front of a bus. Footage of Mamie Till-Mobley and James Farmer (civil rights activist) at a press conference in Boston in June of 1988. Till talks about her quest for justice in 1955. Shots of reporters at the press conference. Till-Mobley and Farmer embrace. Jones reports that Till-Mobley and Farmer received lifetime activism awards from a Massachusetts senior citizen action group. V: Shots of members of the action group seated in a room. Footage of Alfred Saunders (member of the senior citizen action group) greeting Till-Mobley. Footage of Saunders saying that Till-Mobley's commitment to justice inspired the civil rights movement. Footage of Ericka Elcy (member, Emma Till Players) performing in front of the members of the senior citizen group. Elcy says that people must be committed to their goals and life's work. Jones reports that Till-Mobley has organized a group in Chicago called the Emma Till Players; that the young people in the Emma Till Players travel with Till-Mobley to spread the message of the civil rights movement. V: Footage of Patrice Richardson (member, Emma Till Players) performing. Richardson reciting a speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. Shots of Till, Farmer and the audience applauding for Richardson. Footage of Till-Mobley talking about how her role in the civil rights movement may have gotten lost in history. Till-Mobley says that her role in the movement stems from an "ugly" incident; that no one wants to remember "ugly" incidents. Footage from Eyes On The Prize of Till-Mobley in 1955. Till-Mobley says that she hopes that her son's death will mean something to other oppressed people. Shots of Till-Mobley at her son's funeral. Jones reports that the Eyes On The Prize series has shed light on Till-Mobley's role in the civil rights movement. V: Footage of Till-Mobley being interviewed by Jones. Till-Mobley says that she is interested in seeing a renewal of activism; that kids today need to be directed toward positive ways of living; that drugs and gangs are a problem for youth today.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 06/24/1988
Description: Marcus Jones reports that supporters of the proposed city of Mandela, Massachusetts, are raising the issue again. Voters rejected the 1986 proposal to incorporate the Greater Roxbury neighborhood into a new city. Supporters of the proposal have put together a video to educate voters about the benefits of forming a new city, by Maverick Video. Andrew Jones (Greater Roxbury Incorporation Project) is shown in the video. Interview with Curtis Davis (Greater Roxbury Incorporation Project) about the video and about the Mandela proposal. The referendum question on Mandela will be on the ballot again this year. Review of the boundaries of the proposed city and the specifics of the proposal. Marcus Jones notes that the 1986 referendum question received national media attention. Marcus Jones' report includes footage of Davis, Andrew Jones and other Mandela supporters at a press conference in 1986 and footage from an episode of the Phil Donahue Show in 1986 with community leaders Mel King (community activist), Andrew Jones, Charles Stith (Union United Methodist Church), and Bruce Bolling (Boston City Council). Marcus Jones reports that the referendum question has not received as much media coverage this year. He adds that Mandela supporters may try again in the future if the referendum question is defeated again this year. Jones' report includes footage from Say Brother of Andrew Jones talking about Mandela and footage of Bruce Bolling at a press conference. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item:Members of Boston's African American community voice their support for Bush
1:00:15: Visual: Footage from Say Brother of Andrew Jones (co-founder, Greater Roxbury Incorporation Project) in June of 1987. Jones says that he is not sure that the people do not want Mandela. Marcus Jones reports that voters in the predominantly African American neighborhoods of Boston overwhelmingly rejected the referendum quesion on the incorporation of Mandela in 1986. V: Shots of African American residents crossing under the elevated train tracks on Washington Street in Roxbury; of a map of the boundaries of the proposed city of Mandela. Marcus Jones reports that many believed the issue to be dead. V: Footage of Bruce Bolling (President, Boston City Council) addressing an audience in November of 1986. Bolling says that the issue of incorporation has been put aside "for once and for all." Marcus Jones reports that proponents of Mandela have raised the issue again; that Mandela proponents have put together a videotape to educate voters about the virtues of forming a new city. V: Footage from Maverick Video of the pro-Mandela videotape. The videotape shows Andrew Jones talking about building a new city hall for the city of Mandela. Footage of Curtis Davis (co-founder, Greater Roxbury Incorporation Project) being interviewed by Marcus Jones. Davis says that many people have liked the videotape. Davis says that the videotape is biased in favor of the proposal; that the videotape does not try to fool the voters. Marcus Jones reports that Davis and Andrew Jones were responsible for putting the Mandela referendum question on the ballot in 1986; that the referendum question will be on the ballot again this year. V: Footage of Davis, Andrew Jones, and other Mandela supporters at a press conference in front of the state house in October of 1986. Footage of Davis being interviewed by Marcus Jones. Davis says that the city of Mandela would be predominantly African American; that the residents of the Greater Roxbury neighborhoods have common concerns. Davis says that those issues are best addressed by a local neighborhood government. Marcus Jones reports that Roxbury, Mattapan and parts of Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, the South End, and the Fenway would form the proposed city. Marcus Jones reports that the referendum question gained national attention in 1986. V: Footage from the Phil Donahue Show on Mandela on October 30, 1986. An African American male audience member says that he supports Mandela. African American community leaders Andrew Jones, Mel King (community activist), Bolling, and Reverend Charles Stith (Union United Methodist Church) are guests on the show. Stith says that the incorporation of Mandela would signal a retreat from the progress made by the civil rights movement. Marcus Jones reports that the Mandela question has not received as much media attention this year; that the proponents of Mandela are presenting their case in a calmer atmosphere. V: Footage from the pro-Mandela videotape. The videotape shows Andrew Jones talking to a group of African American women outside of a housing project building. Marcus Jones reports that Mandela supporters are campaigning for the passage of the referendum question; that the supporters may try again in the future if the referendum question is defeated this year. V: Footage of Davis saying that a narrow defeat will inspire supporters to work harder for passage of the referendum. Footage from the pro-Mandela videotape.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/27/1988
Description: David Boeri reports that the referendum question on the creation of Mandela, Massachusetts, was soundly defeated in the 1986 elections. Supporters of incorporation of a new city from the Greater Roxbury neighborhood are raising the issue again. Community leaders gathered at a press conference in support of the issue. Those present included Andrew Jones (Greater Roxbury Incorporation Project), Chuck Turner (teacher), and Byron Rushing (State Representative). Jones and Rushing speak out in favor of Mandela. They criticize the city of Boston for not dealing effectively with problems in the Roxbury neighborhood. Boeri reports that the Roxbury neighborhood is suffering from an epidemic of violence and drug-related crime. He notes that Mandela supporters believe that crime could be fought more effectively if Roxbury were an independent city. Interviews with Mandela supporters Sadiki Kambon and Donald Madrey talking about the problems in the neighborhood. City Councilor Bruce Bolling talks about street violence. Footage of William Celester (Deputy Superintendent, Boston Police Department) and Ray Flynn at a press conference.
1:00:09: Visual: Footage of Andrew Jones (Greater Roxbury Incorporation Project) at a press conference. Supporters stand behind him. Jones says that the time has come to "free Mandela, Massachusetts." Shot of Mandela supporters with Jones including Chuck Turner (teacher). David Boeri reports that the referendum question on Mandela, Massachusetts was overwhelmingly rejected by voters in the 1986 elections. Boeri notes that Mandela supporters are raising the question again. V: Footage of Byron Rushing (State Representative) at the press conference. Rushing asks if it is better to be a poor neighborhood in a rich city, or a poor city in a rich state. Boeri reports that little has changed in Boston's African American neighborhoods since 1986; that Mandela supporters can exploit the fact that little has changed in their favor. Boeri notes that Roxbury may be worse off than it was in 1986. V: Shot of white police officers at a crime scene. Roxbury residents stand behind police cordons. A pool of blood appears on the street. Footage of Sadiki Kambon (Mandela initiative supporter) saying that Roxbury continues to suffer from high unemployment, poor housing, an increase in the infant mortality rate, and a high drop-out rate from schools. Shot of two white police officers patrolling a residential street in Roxbury. Boeri reports that drug-related crime and violence have created a crisis in the community. V: Shot of a Boston Herald newspaper article featuring a photo of Darlene Tiffany Moore (Roxbury resident and shooting victim). Footage of Bruce Bolling (Boston City Council) speaking to the press on August 22, 1988. Bolling says that there is open warfare going on in the district. Footage of Donald Madrey (Roxbury resident and Mandela initiative supporter) saying that Roxbury residents are living in fear from crime. Madrey says that it seems like all of the drugs in the state of Massachusetts are being dropped in Roxbury. Shot of African American residents crossing Washington street underneath elevated train tracks in Roxbury. Boeri reports that supporters of the Mandela initiative say that crime could be fought more effectively if Roxbury were an independent city. V: Shot of a group of African American men outsde of Joe's sub shop on Washington Street in Roxbury. Footage of Jones at the press conference saying that an independent city has its own police force which can set its own priorities. Jones says that the Boston Police Department is corrupt; that an independent police department could establish a better relationship with the community. Footage of Rushing saying that officers of the Mandela Police Department would live in the city; that the police officers would be living on the streets where crime takes place. Boeri notes that Boston city officials have declared war on drugs and crime in Roxbury. V: Shot of William Celester (Deputy Superintendent, Boston Police Department) speaking at a press conference. Ray Flynn (Mayor of Boston) stands at his side. Shot of two white police officers stopping an African American man in order to search him. Footage of Rushing at the press conference. Rushing says that the city has not responded to questions about why they have not applied for federal funds for anti-drug campaigns in the city.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 08/24/1988