Tag: Criticism

Boston mayor posts photo of controversial 'electeds of color' party despite criticism

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has proudly posted a photo of all the attendees of her “electeds of color” holiday party despite the gathering coming in for heavy criticism for excluding white lawmakers.

Wu, 38, who is the city’s first Asian-American mayor, posted a photo to Instagram of 17 people smiling and sitting around a dinner table at the exclusive bash which took place Wednesday.

“Last night was my turn to host the annual holiday dinner for Boston’s elected officials of color – a special moment to appreciate that our affinity group now includes leadership across city, state, county, and federal offices,” Wu wrote in the caption alongside the photo. 

BOSTON MAYOR ACCIDENTALLY INVITES EVERYONE TO HOLIDAY PARTY FOR NON-WHITE ELECTED OFFICIALS

Earlier this week, a member of Wu’s staff mistakenly sent the entire city council an invitation to the party at the city-owned Parkman House near the Massachusetts Statehouse.

Having realized the error, the aide sent out a second email about 15 minutes later apologizing for the initial email. The 13-member city council is made up of six minorities and seven White members. It is understood that the White members were not invited. 

While the mayor and her aide apologized for the accidental invite, they did not apologize for planning a party that excluded White city leaders.

BOSTON MAYOR TAKES HEAT FOR ‘ELECTEDS OF COLOR’ HOLIDAY PARTY: ‘GEORGE WALLACE WOULD APPROVE’

Critics have panned the party as being segregationist and anti-White, with Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld accusing Wu of having a history of “blatant racism.”

The exclusionary invite was criticized Wednesday by one White member of the city council as “unfortunate and divisive,” according to the Boston Herald.

However, Black City Councilor Brian Worrell held a different opinion and defended the invitation, suggesting the holiday party was merely a way to represent “all kinds of special groups” in the Boston government. 

On Friday, Wu championed the dinner party as a celebration of diversity, writing that the number of minority lawmakers has grown since she was first elected to the city council in 2014. 

“Not too long ago in Boston, we didn’t need such a big table to fit electeds of color,” Wu wrote in her Instagram post. 

“But over my time as a City Councilor and now Mayor, following so many leaders who have paved the way, I’ve proudly watched this group grow and create space for mentorship and fellowship among many who are breaking down barriers while holding the weight of being the first or only.”

“And at the holidays, we take the time to celebrate and enjoy each other’s company!”

Ricardo Patrón, Wu’s press secretary, said no city funds were used to pay for the party.

The photo sparked a mixed reaction online, although one poster claimed Wu was pulling down unfavorable comments.

“You can delete my comment over and over commies, I will continue to celebrate your segregation efforts!” wrote one poster.

“You’re an absolute disgrace to the city of Boston!!! Shame on you,” wrote another.

Wu did have supporters in the comments section.

“Great to see such diversity! Every American should see themselves represented in their elected officials!” wrote one of them.

“To everyone saying this is segregation, literally every space of prominence and power has been only White people for centuries,” wrote another advocate of Wu’s actions. 

“We are allowed to gather and find solidarity with other POC (people of color) [in] most every other space we are in we are a minority. It is okay for us to TAKE UP SPACE.”

Fox News’ Kristine Parks and the Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Former UFC fighter Conor McGregor aims criticism at Irish leaders amid unrest in Dublin

Former UFC champion Conor McGregor voiced his displeasure with Irish law enforcement’s and others in leadership positions handling of the recent stabbing incident in Dublin. 

McGregor appeared to argue that his home country is in danger due to the crime and his belief that officials have not properly worked to remedy it. McGregor was born in Ireland.

Earlier this week, the mixed martial arts star took to social media to demand that Irish authorities condemn rioters who took to the streets after rumors circulated that a foreign national was responsible for the stabbing outside a school in Dublin. The BBC has since reported that the suspect is believed to be a male Irish citizen in his 40s.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

As of Friday, an estimated 34 people have been arrested in relation to the riots.

“There is grave danger among us in Ireland that should never be here in the first place, and there has been zero action done to support the public in any way, shape or form with this frightening fact. NOT GOOD ENOUGH,” McGregor posted on X, the company formerly known as Twitter.

CONOR MCGREGOR’S AGENT EXPECTING UFC RETURN IN 2024: ‘HE WANTS TO COMPETE’

Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee said that those who rioted did not do so for immigration purposes and labeled them as “thugs” and “criminals.”

“There was a protest earlier that was a general peaceful protest, but a separate group then [came] with an intention to seek and wreak havoc,” McEntee said. 

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said the country’s capital had endured two attacks — one on innocent children and the other on “our society and the rule of law.”

“These criminals did not do what they did because they love Ireland, they did not do what they did because they wanted to protect Irish people, they did not do it out of any sense of patriotism, however warped,” Varadkar told reporters on Friday morning.

“They did so because they’re filled with hate, they love violence, they love chaos, and they love causing pain to others.”

McGregor seemed to dismiss the statements from the Irish prime minister and other officials.

“Announce our plan of action!! What are we waiting for? Your statements of nothing are absolutely worthless to the solving of this issue,” McGregor wrote in a separate social media post.

McGregor also suggested the country was “at war.”

An estimated 500 people recently took to the streets in Dublin, which resulted in the burning of several cars. A bus was also torched, according to police. Multiple properties in the immediate area also suffered damage. 

The motive for the attack remains unknown.

McGregor has been vocal about his desire to see immigration reform in his native country. He previously spoke out about the death of 23-year-old Irish teacher and musician Ashling Murphy. She was killed in a stabbing in 2022.

Last week, a Slovak national was found guilty of murder in the killing. McGregor then responded, saying in part, “The Irish government makes me ashamed to be Irish. We are appalled with you all!”

Fox News’ Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.

How NFL decision-makers such as the Chiefs' Brett Veach navigate post-trade risk, criticism, second-guessing

Brett Veach shook up the Chiefs this summer, trading Tyreek Hill. NFL GMs all cross a similar bridge at some point, but how do they manage moves of that magnitude?

The post How NFL decision-makers such as the Chiefs' Brett Veach navigate post-trade risk, criticism, second-guessing appeared first on Buy It At A Bargain – Deals And Reviews.