Boston mayor gives list of protesters, political opponents to Boston Police

Boston’s Democratic Mayor Michelle Wu is being slammed for what some are dubbing “Nixonian tactics” after it was revealed that her administration created a list of her critics and gave it to local law enforcement.

In a statement to The Boston Herald, Ricardo Patron, a spokesman for Wu admitted the list existed and said it “…was made in response to a request from the Boston Police Department after the Mayor had been harassed and physically intimidated by individuals for several months outside her home, at city functions such as the annual neighborhood parks coffee hours, and at other public events.”



The outlet reported that the existence of the list was discovered in a public records request by opponents of the mayor. Many have accused Wu and her administration of attempting to intimidate and silence her critics. An ordinance was passed recently that prohibits protests outside her home.

Patron told The Herald, “The request (from police) came after many of the individuals on the list repeatedly impeded the Dorchester Day Parade to harass Mayor Wu and her family and staff, yelling through megaphones at her and her children for nearly ninety minutes as they marched in the parade despite being asked by parade organizers to leave the parade route.

Patron continued, “Following the Dorchester Day Parade on June 5, 2022, Boston Police met with City staff on June 10 to make a safety plan for the upcoming Bunker Hill Day parade on June 12, and the then-Captain of the District overseeing Charlestown asked for a list of individuals who had been involved in public disruption and harassment of the Mayor at the Dorchester Day Parade and outside her house.”

He added, “The email was sent as a follow-up immediately after that meeting.”

The list was sent in an email from Dave Vittorini, Wu’s former Director of Constituent Services to Boston Police Capt. Robert Ciccolo. According to The Herald, the list names “Wu’s most vocal opponents, such as [Boston City Council at-large candidate Catherine Vitale], several anti-vaccine activists who have been protesting Wu’s house, and North End restaurant owners who have opposed Wu policies.”

The outlet even compared Wu’s actions to those of the late President Richard Nixon who was known for creating lists of political enemies.