Media Silence, Political Retaliation, and the Abuse of Power in Boston: The Weaponization of the Legal System Against Dissenters

Boston, MA – In what should be a city that celebrates free speech and diversity, Boston under Mayor Michelle Wu is instead becoming a cautionary tale of political retribution, selective enforcement, and constitutional violations. Protesters and critics are being targeted, smeared, and wrongfully arrested simply for exercising their First Amendment rights.

Among the most egregious examples is the recent arrest of two openly gay black men, Shawn Nelson and Joao DePina, on the first day of Gay Pride Month during the Dorchester Day Parade.

The irony is staggering: while City Hall was celebrating Pride, Boston Police — under the direction of Mayor Wu’s administration — were arresting gay men for protesting on a public street. The arrests were for disturbing the peace and trespassing — the usual minor charges levied against peaceful protesters to chill dissent.

As described in the arrest report:

Officers assigned to the City-Wide Bicycle Unit were summoned by Sgt. Det. Chin (Mayor’s security detail) to assist with a couple of unruly protesters …

… Civilian/Brianne Gore identified herself to Officers as the President of the Dorchester Day Parade Committee and wanted Suspect/Depina and Suspect/Nelson removed from the parade route. Suspect/Depina and Suspect/Nelson were consequently arrested for trespassing and Disturbing the Peace. Trespassing on a public street, at a public event.

Here’s the footage: https://x.com/vitaleforboston/status/1929269713906905235…

The allegations that Mayor Wu’s office directed the arrests of Shawn Nelson and Joao Depina are not levied against the Wu administration lightly. Responses to public record requests by the City of Boston reveal the existence of an “enemies list” consisting of the names of prominent critics and protesters of Mayor Wu, sent by the office of Mayor Wu, to the Boston Police Department. The “list” consists of moms, business owners, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and people of color – the very groups Democrats claim to champion.

Wu’s “enemies list” is detailed here: https://www.bostonbroadside.com/mass/enemieslist/.

Despite the international exposure this shockingly “communistic” story received, these same individuals have faced systematic retaliation, public vilification, and legal harassment for their dissenting viewpoints.

Even more concerning is the role of the Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office which appears complicit in this abuse of power. Instead of moving swiftly to resolve retaliatory arrests based on protected speech critical of Mayor Wu, the District Attorney’s office relentlessly prosecutes all critics of Wu, who then end up in front of a Court of law for minor offenses – forcing citizens to endure years of court dates, legal fees, and public smearing as punishment for political speech.

This is despite the fact that same District Attorney’s office that has a practice of dismissing protest related arrests prior to arraignment, as long as the subject of the protest is a cause favored by the left.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden – who has refused to comment directly on these arrests – did not hesitate to previously issue a joint public statement condemning protesters who criticized Mayor Wu, claiming:

“These relentless threats and hateful attacks … have no place in our society and are a far cry from peaceful dissent.”

The statement goes on to reveal further prejudice against fundament rights.

“To be very clear, I do not support anti-vaxers and condemn in the harshest terms the relentless protests that took place at your (Wu’s) home.”

Yet many of the individuals arrested or monitored by law enforcement have not issued threats or engaged in violence — they simply held signs, spoke through megaphones, and questioned policy. Apparently, dissent against Mayor Wu is treated as a threat, not a right.

This is not justice — it’s political weaponization.

Where is the media? Where is the outrage?

The very people who claim to stand for civil rights, gay rights, and racial justice have been eerily silent when the victims of government overreach no longer serve their political narrative.

Mayor Wu’s administration claims to stand for inclusion, yet it actively excludes and persecutes those who criticize her leadership. This is not a Boston that honors its proud tradition of protest and free speech. This is a dangerous descent into authoritarian-style governance where dissent is punished, not protected.

We call on all civil rights advocates, constitutional scholars, and community leaders — regardless of political affiliation — to condemn this misuse of authority, demand accountability, and stand up for the rights of all Bostonians to speak freely without fear of arrest, intimidation, or retaliatory prosecution.

Justice delayed is justice denied. Political retaliation disguised as public safety is still tyranny.

(See companion article by Maureen Steele)