'Boston is not a city that tolerates tyranny': Wu calls out Trump administration in State of the City address

TONIGHT. WELL, FIRST OF ALL, ED, THE MAYOR SAID THE STATE OF THE CITY IS STRONG, AND SHE DELIVERED A RALLYING CRY AS SHE FACES A REELECTION BID. THIS IS OUR CITY. BOSTON MAYOR MICHELLE WU STRIKING A DEFIANT TONE, REFERRING TO HER TESTIMONY IN WASHINGTON ON SANCTUARY CITIES. SHE NEVER MENTIONED PRESIDENT TRUMP BY NAME, BUT IT WAS CLEAR WHO SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT. NO ONE TELLS BOSTON HOW TO TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN. NOT KINGS AND NOT PRESIDENTS WHO THINK THEY ARE KINGS. THE MAYOR CALLED BOSTON A CITY UNDER ATTACK BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. COME HIGH WATER OR HELL, NO MATTER WHO THREATENS TO BRING IT. BOSTON HAS STOOD UP FOR THE PEOPLE WE LOVE AND THE COUNTRY WE BUILT. SHE TOUTED BOSTON’S HISTORICALLY LOW VIOLENT CRIME RATE AND UNVEILED A PLAN TO HELP PEOPLE SAVE MONEY ON ENERGY COSTS. A HISTORIC NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH EVERSOURCE AND NATIONAL GRID THAT WILL DELIVER MORE THAN $150 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING FOR OUR RESIDENTS TO UPGRADE THEIR HOMES AND LOWER THEIR BILLS. MAYOR WU, ENDING WHERE SHE BEGAN PLEDGING TO DEFEND THE CITY. GOD BLESS OUR CITY. GOD BLESS OUR PEOPLE AND GOD SAVE WHOEVER MESSES WITH BOSTON. JOSH KRAFT, WHO IS RUNNING AGAINST THE MAYOR, SAYS ALL OF US WANT A STRONGER AND MORE VIBRANT CITY, BUT THE STATE OF THE CITY UNDER MAYOR WU IS HEADED IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. AFTER THE SPEECH, THE MAYOR TELLING US BOSTON STANDS TOGETHER. IT’S A SCARY TIME FOR EVERYONE, AND IT’S A PAINFUL AND HARMFUL TIME THAT PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING. NOW, THE MAYOR ALSO UNVEILED A PLAN TO MAKE BUYING A HOME EASIER TO BRING BUSINESS BACK TO EMPTY COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS. AND ALSO, SHE SAYS, SHE’S STILL WORKING ON IMPROVING SCHOOLS. BUT SHE SAYS THEY’RE

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu presented her third annual State of the City Address on Wednesday evening, her first such speech during an election year.The speech at MGM Music Hall in Fenway, broadcasted on live television, was another big stage for the first-term mayor, who has said she plans to run for reelection but has yet to formally announce her campaign.During the speech, Wu called out President Donald Trump and the federal government several times, including criticism of Trump’s Border Czar Tom Homan, who last month announced he was coming to Boston "to bring hell" after he accused city leaders of not complying with federal immigration laws."No one tells Boston how to take care of our own," Wu said. "Not kings, and not presidents who think they are kings. Boston was born facing down bullies."Earlier this month, Wu testified alongside the Democratic mayors of other big cities at a contentious congressional hearing about so-called sanctuary city policies.While at the hearing, Wu repeatedly defended Boston’s status as the safest major city in the U.S., a point she brought up during her speech as well."Together with our first responders, frontline public health workers, faith leaders, and partners in every neighborhood, we have made Boston the safest major city in the nation," Wu said. "Four years ago, gun violence in Boston had just hit a ten-year high. Every year since taking office, we’ve set new record lows. Thank you to Commissioner Michael Cox and the entire Boston Police Department. Under your leadership, community policing has reached a new level of trust focused on safety and quality of life Downtown and across all of our neighborhoods."Immigration was not the only issue Wu spoke on regarding safety; public health issues were mentioned during her speech as well, including drug abuse, infant and maternal health, and chronic disease cases within the city, particularly among minority neighborhoods."Four years ago, racial health disparities had deepened, " Wu said. "Today, the Boston Public Health Commission is making progress tackling those disparities through targeted intervention on drug overdoses, infant and maternal health, and chronic disease. Thank you, Dr. Bisola Ojikutu and all our health equity partners."Wu closed out 2024 by celebrating historic low crime statistics but suffered a significant loss when her bid to change Boston's real estate tax structure collapsed on Beacon Hill.Housing affordability was a major talking point for Wu during her speech."Since taking office, we’ve helped more than 850 residents buy their first homes, " Wu said. "We’ve built more than 11,000 new units and the most affordable homes in at least 25 years. In the last three years, we’ve taken more than 700 homes off the speculative market to make them permanently affordable."Additionally, Wu mentioned that affordable housing programs and senior housing programs have been a top priority for the city."Just last week, I joined Ms. Annie at the Fairlawn Estates in Mattapan—where she’s lived for fifty years, " Wu said. "For the last six, she led her tenant association battling rent hikes and evictions intended to gentrify her community—and she won. We're adding new senior programming across five neighborhoods this summer, and I will continue to fight for tax relief to protect all our residents—and keep our seniors in the city they helped build. Our seniors are the living history of Boston—they show us what it means to live with joy in community, and with resiliency through all the challenges we have faced down together. "Business was also a major talking point for Wu during her speech."Four years ago, businesses like Eli Lilly, SAP, Roche, LEGO, and NVIDIA called other cities home," Wu said. "Today, they have all chosen Boston. To keep up that momentum, tonight I’m announcing the City will launch a Business Recruitment Office to fill commercial vacancies, retain and attract talent, and continue revitalizing Downtown. Thank you to our Business Recruitment Task Force and the Boston Employer Working Group for partnering with us to make Boston the best place to do business."Last month, Boston officials approved 37 new liquor licenses in an effort to support small businesses and nightlife in the city, particularly in neighborhoods such as Jamaica Plain, East Boston and Dorchester, where business owners have long awaited that privilege.This was a point Wu made sure to mention during her speech."With leadership from the City Council and State House, we added the most new liquor licenses since Prohibition: 225 new opportunities for neighborhood restaurants to create jobs, close gaps, and build community, " Wu said, "Four years ago, the City wasn’t doing enough to support diverse businesses. In the last year alone, we’ve awarded over $150 million in city contracts to businesses owned by people of color—more than double the value in 2021. "Finally, Wu made sure to mention education and how Boston Public Schools have approved in that field."Graduation rates are up, chronic absenteeism is down, and our state accountability results show meaningful progress," Wu said. "We’re making the hard but necessary decisions to right-size our district and best serve our students. I’m proud to report that, last night, we reached a tentative three-year agreement with the Boston Teachers’ Union. These school nurses, counselors, and educators serve in some of the most important jobs in our city. Thank you for continuing to put our students first every day."While speaking on education, Wu discussed her plan to demolish White Stadium in Franklin Park, work that has already begun, and replace it with a new soccer stadium. That project is being challenged in court and has been a contentious issue with Wu’s challenger in the upcoming Boston mayoral election, Josh Kraft."Today, we are renovating White Stadium into a world-class athletics hub guaranteed for BPS students, coaches, and residents 15 hours a day, more than 345 days of the year, " Wu said. "I will never stop fighting for what our city kids deserve. "However, what was possibly the most unpredictable part of Wu’s speech was when she talked about her daughter growing up in the U.S. the way it is today."Two months ago, I welcomed my daughter into this world," Wu said. "The truth is, it’s not the world I expected or hoped for her. I want her to grow up in a country that’s admired, not feared. A country stable and safe, not one that feels like it’s coming apart at the seams. I want her to grow up in the America that Paul Revere rode for, that Dr. King marched for, that my parents left home for."During this part of the speech, Wu once again criticized the Trump administration for cuts to federal programs and layoffs of federal workers."It’s the version of America that belongs not to kings but to kin, where workers have dignity, and science is real," Wu said. "Where it’s possible to go from living on the street to working Downtown, and eviction notices are replaced by the keys to your first home. Where energy is clean and affordable, and the best places are free for everyone, where every school has the resources and partnerships to challenge every student, and every student has space to grow and create. The good news is: That is the America we are building in Boston."Wu closed out her speech with, "So while this national moment isn’t the one I—and so many families—had hoped for, I am grateful that my daughter gets to call this city home. Boston is not a city that tolerates tyranny. "Wu, 40, was first elected to the Boston City Council in November 2013, becoming the first Asian American woman to serve on the council. She was unanimously chosen by her colleagues to serve as president of the city council in January 2016, becoming the first woman of color to serve as council president — a role she held for two years.The Harvard College and Harvard Law School graduate was elected mayor in November 2021 and took the oath of office a few days later, instead of the usual transition in January, because she was replacing an interim mayor.So far, her top competitor in the mayoral race appears to be Kraft. The son of New England Patriots owner and billionaire businessman Robert Kraft spent 30 years with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, led his family's philanthropy and has served on the boards of several local organizations.Kraft has critiqued the cost of Wu's legal preparation for her congressional testimony, the White Stadium project, recent bike lane projects and North End outdoor dining restrictions.Video: Watch Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's full State of the City address

BOSTON —

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu presented her third annual State of the City Address on Wednesday evening, her first such speech during an election year.

The speech at MGM Music Hall in Fenway, broadcasted on live television, was another big stage for the first-term mayor, who has said she plans to run for reelection but has yet to formally announce her campaign.

During the speech, Wu called out President Donald Trump and the federal government several times, including criticism of Trump’s Border Czar Tom Homan, who last month announced he was coming to Boston "to bring hell" after he accused city leaders of not complying with federal immigration laws.

"No one tells Boston how to take care of our own," Wu said. "Not kings, and not presidents who think they are kings. Boston was born facing down bullies."

Earlier this month, Wu testified alongside the Democratic mayors of other big cities at a contentious congressional hearing about so-called sanctuary city policies.

While at the hearing, Wu repeatedly defended Boston’s status as the safest major city in the U.S., a point she brought up during her speech as well.

"Together with our first responders, frontline public health workers, faith leaders, and partners in every neighborhood, we have made Boston the safest major city in the nation," Wu said. "Four years ago, gun violence in Boston had just hit a ten-year high. Every year since taking office, we’ve set new record lows. Thank you to Commissioner Michael Cox and the entire Boston Police Department. Under your leadership, community policing has reached a new level of trust focused on safety and quality of life Downtown and across all of our neighborhoods."

Immigration was not the only issue Wu spoke on regarding safety; public health issues were mentioned during her speech as well, including drug abuse, infant and maternal health, and chronic disease cases within the city, particularly among minority neighborhoods.

"Four years ago, racial health disparities had deepened, " Wu said. "Today, the Boston Public Health Commission is making progress tackling those disparities through targeted intervention on drug overdoses, infant and maternal health, and chronic disease. Thank you, Dr. Bisola Ojikutu and all our health equity partners."

Wu closed out 2024 by celebrating historic low crime statistics but suffered a significant loss when her bid to change Boston's real estate tax structure collapsed on Beacon Hill.

Housing affordability was a major talking point for Wu during her speech.

"Since taking office, we’ve helped more than 850 residents buy their first homes, " Wu said. "We’ve built more than 11,000 new units and the most affordable homes in at least 25 years. In the last three years, we’ve taken more than 700 homes off the speculative market to make them permanently affordable."

Additionally, Wu mentioned that affordable housing programs and senior housing programs have been a top priority for the city.

"Just last week, I joined Ms. Annie at the Fairlawn Estates in Mattapan—where she’s lived for fifty years, " Wu said. "For the last six, she led her tenant association battling rent hikes and evictions intended to gentrify her community—and she won. We're adding new senior programming across five neighborhoods this summer, and I will continue to fight for tax relief to protect all our residents—and keep our seniors in the city they helped build. Our seniors are the living history of Boston—they show us what it means to live with joy in community, and with resiliency through all the challenges we have faced down together. "

Business was also a major talking point for Wu during her speech.

"Four years ago, businesses like Eli Lilly, SAP, Roche, LEGO, and NVIDIA called other cities home," Wu said. "Today, they have all chosen Boston. To keep up that momentum, tonight I’m announcing the City will launch a Business Recruitment Office to fill commercial vacancies, retain and attract talent, and continue revitalizing Downtown. Thank you to our Business Recruitment Task Force and the Boston Employer Working Group for partnering with us to make Boston the best place to do business."

Last month, Boston officials approved 37 new liquor licenses in an effort to support small businesses and nightlife in the city, particularly in neighborhoods such as Jamaica Plain, East Boston and Dorchester, where business owners have long awaited that privilege.

This was a point Wu made sure to mention during her speech.

"With leadership from the City Council and State House, we added the most new liquor licenses since Prohibition: 225 new opportunities for neighborhood restaurants to create jobs, close gaps, and build community, " Wu said, "Four years ago, the City wasn’t doing enough to support diverse businesses. In the last year alone, we’ve awarded over $150 million in city contracts to businesses owned by people of color—more than double the value in 2021. "

Finally, Wu made sure to mention education and how Boston Public Schools have approved in that field.

"Graduation rates are up, chronic absenteeism is down, and our state accountability results show meaningful progress," Wu said. "We’re making the hard but necessary decisions to right-size our district and best serve our students. I’m proud to report that, last night, we reached a tentative three-year agreement with the Boston Teachers’ Union. These school nurses, counselors, and educators serve in some of the most important jobs in our city. Thank you for continuing to put our students first every day."

While speaking on education, Wu discussed her plan to demolish White Stadium in Franklin Park, work that has already begun, and replace it with a new soccer stadium. That project is being challenged in court and has been a contentious issue with Wu’s challenger in the upcoming Boston mayoral election, Josh Kraft.

"Today, we are renovating White Stadium into a world-class athletics hub guaranteed for BPS students, coaches, and residents 15 hours a day, more than 345 days of the year, " Wu said. "I will never stop fighting for what our city kids deserve. "

However, what was possibly the most unpredictable part of Wu’s speech was when she talked about her daughter growing up in the U.S. the way it is today.

"Two months ago, I welcomed my daughter into this world," Wu said. "The truth is, it’s not the world I expected or hoped for her. I want her to grow up in a country that’s admired, not feared. A country stable and safe, not one that feels like it’s coming apart at the seams. I want her to grow up in the America that Paul Revere rode for, that Dr. King marched for, that my parents left home for."

During this part of the speech, Wu once again criticized the Trump administration for cuts to federal programs and layoffs of federal workers.

"It’s the version of America that belongs not to kings but to kin, where workers have dignity, and science is real," Wu said. "Where it’s possible to go from living on the street to working Downtown, and eviction notices are replaced by the keys to your first home. Where energy is clean and affordable, and the best places are free for everyone, where every school has the resources and partnerships to challenge every student, and every student has space to grow and create. The good news is: That is the America we are building in Boston."

Wu closed out her speech with, "So while this national moment isn’t the one I—and so many families—had hoped for, I am grateful that my daughter gets to call this city home. Boston is not a city that tolerates tyranny. "

Wu, 40, was first elected to the Boston City Council in November 2013, becoming the first Asian American woman to serve on the council. She was unanimously chosen by her colleagues to serve as president of the city council in January 2016, becoming the first woman of color to serve as council president — a role she held for two years.

The Harvard College and Harvard Law School graduate was elected mayor in November 2021 and took the oath of office a few days later, instead of the usual transition in January, because she was replacing an interim mayor.

So far, her top competitor in the mayoral race appears to be Kraft. The son of New England Patriots owner and billionaire businessman Robert Kraft spent 30 years with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, led his family's philanthropy and has served on the boards of several local organizations.

Kraft has critiqued the cost of Wu's legal preparation for her congressional testimony, the White Stadium project, recent bike lane projects and North End outdoor dining restrictions.

Video: Watch Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's full State of the City address

'Boston is not a city that tolerates tyranny': Wu calls out Trump administration in State of the City address

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