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By Zoe Strozewski
Staff Writer
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Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has proposed a new restriction for protests that would allow demonstrations at private homes to take place only between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Under the proposed ordinance, all homes, not just those of elected officials, would be protected, the Associated Press reported.
Marches and protests in residential areas that are not targeting a specific home would not be subject to the rule.
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Angry with Boston's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for city employees, protesters have begun loudly demonstrating at Wu's home in Roslindale as early as 7 a.m. for weeks. The demonstrations, during which protesters have shouted, banged drums and blown whistles, have served to disturb Wu's family and her neighbors, AP reported.
"Boston has a strong legacy of activism, and it's important to uphold and protect the ability to speak out and advocate fiercely to keep our democracy strong," Wu said in a statement. "But in a moment of divided national politics, we can't normalize the harassment and hate spilling over into our communities."
Wu was elected mayor in November and sworn in shortly after. As Boston's first woman mayor and first Asian American mayor, she has reportedly faced resistance that goes beyond just direct opposition to her measures.
Wu said during a December interview on Boston Public Radio that she received "hateful messages," including ones using "hateful, racist, xenophobic language," after announcing a proof of vaccination requirement for certain public venues in the city, Boston.com reported.
In another interview with Boston Public Radio on January 18, Wu described the demonstrators at her home as "people who feel that the way to get their point across, or express their strong emotion, is through violating boundaries of decency, of what's appropriate."
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"I hope my neighbors will forgive me at some point," she said.
The city said that courts have upheld regulations similar to the proposed ordinance in other U.S. states, AP reported. The measure, which still has to be approved by the city council, has received the backing of several key Boston officials.
"Public protests at people's homes must have reasonable limits," Boston City Council President Ed Flynn said, according to AP.
"This ordinance will add to our existing laws to stop harassment of residents in their private homes while respecting the right to protest," AP quoted acting Police Commissioner Gregory Long as saying. "People have a right to privacy and peace in their homes."
Wu's home is not the first of a U.S. elected official to be targeted in protests. The homes of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell were vandalized last year in COVID-19 aid-related protests.
Newsweek reached out to Wu's office for additional comment.
Update 2/28/22, 5:03 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information.
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