A new name for Faneuil Hall?

Plus: How to vote early for Boston's Nov. 7 election; an update on the Maine mass shootings [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  October 27, 2023 ☀️ Today is mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Good Morning Boston, In case you need a little advice to make the most out of this Friday, we've got [a top tip right here.]( But before you head out, let's get into the news: - What to call Faneuil Hall? Activists have pushed for years to rename Faneuil Hall over its namesake's involvement in the slave trade. This week, they gained some traction across the street, specifically on the fifth floor of Boston City Hall. The City Council voted 10-3 Wednesday to back the calls to [rename the historic meeting house]( and tourist attraction. - It's important to note: The City Council doesn't have the power to rename Faneuil Hall; in 2013, the city put the little-known Public Facilities Commission in charge of naming municipal buildings. But supporters of the resolution say it elevates the conversation. - The running list: The City Council's resolution also included three suggestions on who should replace Peter Faneuil. Let's have a mini-history lesson to review them: - Crispus Attucks: Considered by historians as [the first person killed by British soldiers during the 1770 Boston Massacre]( Attucks was a Black and Indigenous sailor who spent years enslaved in Framingham before escaping to Boston under the pseudonym "Michael Johnson." Following the massacre, Attucks' body laid in Faneuil Hall before being buried in Boston's Granary Burying Ground. - Elizabeth Freeman: After spending years enslaved in Sheffield, Freeman became [the first Black woman to petition for her freedom]( in Massachusetts by filing a lawsuit. Her win marked the beginning of a series of "freedom suits" by other enslaved people that would then lead to the state's outlawing of slavery. Freeman spent her later years as a midwife and nurse. - Frederick Douglass: When he was 20, Douglass escaped slavery in Baltimore and fled to New York City — and later, New Bedford — where he became a [notable abolitionist and founder of The North Star newspaper](. After the Civil War, Douglass held multiple positions in the federal government, serving under five presidents. He also has a park named after him in Lynn: [Frederick Douglass Memorial Park.]( - What's next: It's currently unclear if or when the Public Facilities Commission will take up the issue (their next meeting is Nov. 15). But in the wake of the Council's resolution this week, Mayor Michelle Wu's office said they're working on a proposal to create a "clear process" on renaming city buildings that includes "a sufficiently high standard" and incorporates public input. What's Wu's stance on Faneuil Hall? She's been noncommittal on the change, telling reporters that more research is needed in order to implement a change, especially given the building's “unique history" and the fact that it's so well known around the world. Read more about the debate [here](. - The latest on Maine: A suspect in the mass shootings that rocked Lewiston, Maine, is still at large. Yesterday, Gov. Janet Mills announced 18 people were killed and 13 were wounded in what she called a "[dark day for Maine]( - What we know about the suspect: Police say Robert Card, 40, faces multiple arrest warrants for murder. Card “is a petroleum supply specialist in the Army Reserve,” a service spokesperson [told NPR]( and “has no combat deployments.” Card should considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached, law enforcement said. - As of this morning, shelter-in-place orders remain in effect for Androscoggin County, home of Lewiston, and parts of Sagadahoc County. Last night, law enforcement executed a search warrant on the suspect's home in Bowdoin, Maine, [according to NPR](. A Maine public safety spokeswoman said, "It is unknown whether Robert Card is in any of the homes law enforcement will search." For more updates throughout the day, check back on [our website](. - State agencies are urging Mainers [to seek mental health support]( following the tragedy. Those in need of immediate support should call or text 988, the national suicide and behavioral health crisis line. - People living unsheltered in tents in Boston [will need to find other shelter]( Nov. 1 (i.e. next Wednesday). The city will then begin to remove tents from the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard, per an ordinance proposed by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and [approved this week]( by the City Council. - How the city is preparing people: "Over the course of today and tomorrow, our teams will be offering people individualized exit plans with opportunities to transition into low-threshold housing sites, shelter, treatment or family reunification, where it makes sense," said Wu during a press conference yesterday. - The Boston Police Department also plans to deploy [an additional 14 officers]( to patrol the area, but some public health officials fear the increased police presence will discourage those living in the encampments from getting help. "I think the police presence alone is not a public health solution," Abigail Judge, clinical director of the Boston Human Exploitation and Trafficking program, told WBUR's Radio Boston [in this segment.]( - Heads up: [Early voting]( for the Nov. 7 City Council election in Boston starts tomorrow. Check out The Common's recent [interviews with candidates]( in several open races. - Tomorrow is also the deadline to register to vote ahead of [all the municipal elections]( this fall across Massachusetts. If you're not already registered, you've got until 11:59 p.m. on Saturday to do so online. [Check your voter registration status here!]( P.S.— Do you know which building Boston officials are pushing to make an official landmark? [Take our Boston News Quiz]( and see how closely you've been following our coverage this week. Hanna Ali Associate Producer, Newsletters Katie Cole Associate Producer, Digital  Support the news  The Rundown [Maine has a 'yellow flag' gun law. Some say it's not enough to stop shootings]( Maine is one of about 20 states that allow permitless carry — having a concealed weapon in public without a permit — and the state has a longstanding culture of gun ownership that is tied to its traditions of hunting and sport shooting. [Read more.]( [Maine has a 'yellow flag' gun law. Some say it's not enough to stop shootings]( Maine is one of about 20 states that allow permitless carry — having a concealed weapon in public without a permit — and the state has a longstanding culture of gun ownership that is tied to its traditions of hunting and sport shooting. [Read more.]( [Under southern Maine's shelter-in-place order, mourners gather in online vigils]( With a shelter-in-place order still in effect parts of Maine, hundreds Mainers and people from neighboring states gathered on Zoom Thursday evening for faith-based vigils to mourn those killed in the Lewiston shootings. [Read more.]( [Under southern Maine's shelter-in-place order, mourners gather in online vigils]( With a shelter-in-place order still in effect parts of Maine, hundreds Mainers and people from neighboring states gathered on Zoom Thursday evening for faith-based vigils to mourn those killed in the Lewiston shootings. [Read more.]( [Duxbury woman to remain hospitalized while awaiting trial for allegedly killing her 3 children]( During her arraignment Thursday, Lindsay Clancy appeared in a wheelchair and responded clearly, "not guilty," when asked for her plea to the murder charges against her. [Read more.]( [Duxbury woman to remain hospitalized while awaiting trial for allegedly killing her 3 children]( During her arraignment Thursday, Lindsay Clancy appeared in a wheelchair and responded clearly, "not guilty," when asked for her plea to the murder charges against her. [Read more.]( [Boston prepares to remove tents from 'Mass. and Cass' area]( The city council passed the measure Wednesday, which aims to clear the tent encampment in a part of the city that's seen widespread drug use and homelessness. [Read more.]( [Boston prepares to remove tents from 'Mass. and Cass' area]( The city council passed the measure Wednesday, which aims to clear the tent encampment in a part of the city that's seen widespread drug use and homelessness. [Read more.]( [Feared and fascinating, 'Bats!' take flight in Salem]( The exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum blends contemporary artworks, pop culture memorabilia and historical depictions to explore how people have loved and hated these winged mammals through the ages. [Read more.]( [Feared and fascinating, 'Bats!' take flight in Salem]( The exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum blends contemporary artworks, pop culture memorabilia and historical depictions to explore how people have loved and hated these winged mammals through the ages. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - "I’m not in the habit of imagining mass death, but I also can’t pretend it's not happening. Not when tragedy is so ordinary," [writes WBUR's Cloe Axelson after the shootings]( in Lewiston, Maine this week. - How many friends does the average American have? According to the Pew Research Center, that depends on how you define the term "friend." Dig into this new study on friendship — and learn just how much our buddies mean to us — [here](. - Speaking of friends, making new ones can be hard, especially as an adult or when you're new to Boston. [We've got a guide here]( to help you find a community that will lead to connections and, hopefully, lasting friendships. - Nearing her daughter Penny's 18th birthday, Cognoscenti contributor Amy Julia Becker [imagines what life might be like for Penny]( as she enters the world as an adult with Down Syndrome. While the future remains uncertain, one thing is for sure: Possibilities exist for Penny. - PSA: With Halloween this upcoming Tuesday, this weekend will likely be one of the busiest in Salem. If you're planning on visiting, be sure to [explore our list of things to do]( (and avoid) while in Witch City.  What We're Reading 📚 - Records reveal extent of Massachusetts 'duplicate' license plate problem ([WCVB]( - One family scammed the lottery for $20 million. Then their luck ran out. ([The Boston Globe]( - Teeny jumping spider found in woman’s ear after days of torturous racket ([Ars Technica](  Meet the Makers [Olympic hopeful Alex Diaz brings optimism and originality to breakdancing]( The Roxbury native's b-boy name is El Niño because of his fast-paced and aggressive style. His talents have made him a Red Bull-sponsored athlete, multiple-time world breakdancing champion and earned him a spot on Team USA. [Read more.]( [Olympic hopeful Alex Diaz brings optimism and originality to breakdancing]( The Roxbury native's b-boy name is El Niño because of his fast-paced and aggressive style. His talents have made him a Red Bull-sponsored athlete, multiple-time world breakdancing champion and earned him a spot on Team USA. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common is bringing you the last of its Boston City Council candidate interviews. [Meet the candidates]( running in District 3, which includes parts of Dorchester, the South End and South Boston. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: 🎶 [And I don't know what to do](... 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 🔎 Explore [WBUR's Field Guide]( stories, events and more. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.]( Support the news   Want to change how you receive these emails? Stop getting this newsletter by [updating your preferences.](  I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. Unsubscribe from all WBUR editorial newsletters [here](.  Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here.]( Copyright © 2023 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.