Pressley on Gaza: "We cannot look away"

Also: Biden nominates Marty Walsh for Post Office gig; no exceptions, Wrentham [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  March 1, 2024 ☀️ Sunny, with a high near 42. Good Morning Boston, We've made it to March (and Friday), with spring in the air — from [the weather]( to the [impending opening of Sullivan's.]( But before we get to the weekend, we're turning our attention to the Israel-Hamas war, where the recent, ongoing violence has reignited emotional pleas for peace here in the commonwealth: - From Massachusetts to the Middle East: Some of the Bay State's top elected officials are speaking out against the Israeli government in their most forceful words yet. And they're pressuring President Joe Biden to take action. As WBUR's Anthony Brooks reports, a tearful Rep. Ayanna Pressley joined fellow progressives on Capitol Hill yesterday to — again — demand a ceasefire, after Israeli troops [fired on a crowd of Palestinians seeking food in Gaza City](. Over 100 people were killed. "We cannot look away," Pressley said. "Think of these babies who are sleeping in cribs, wearing diapers or running for their lives when they were struck by a missile or shot by a sniper. What has happened to our humanity?" You can [watch a clip of her remarks here](. - The latest: Pressley's comments come as Israel [prepares a military offensive in the southern Gazan city of Rafah]( where over a million displaced Palestinians have been sheltering. Gazan officials said yesterday the Palestinian death toll in the war — ignited by Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks, which killed 1,200 Israelis — now [exceeds 30,000](. - Pressley has been calling for a ceasefire for months, but she was also joined yesterday by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who took to the Senate floor to denounce Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "moral and strategic failure" in the conflict. In [a 10-minute speech]( she called for a ceasefire and a two-state solution: "Netanyahu cannot bomb his way to the return of the hostages." - Meanwhile in Massachusetts: WBUR contributor Olivia Deng [reports that the entire staff of The Sinclair]( boycotted the music venue in Cambridge this week for hosting a concert to raise funds for the “healing and rebuilding of Israel." - Zone defense: Wrentham isn't bucking the MBTA Communities Act just yet, but the town is asking for an exception. [As State House News Service reports]( Wrentham's Select Board followed through on plans to send a letter to Gov. Maura Healey this week, arguing the law's zoning changes would clash with the town's existing development plans, as well as its "small-town New England charm." - What the Healey administration thinks: A spokesperson for the state's Office of Housing and Livable Communities reiterated in an email that compliance is mandatory: "We need every community to do their part to address our housing affordability crisis." - The state also refuted Wrentham's claim that the housing law "requires us to increase our population by as much as 13% without any state funding." The state said the law only requires zoning changes and they've given out $6 million in grants to help communities plan. (Wrentham did not apply for the grants.) - Heads up: Sumner Tunnel weekend closures are returning. The tunnel from East Boston and downtown Boston will be closed from 11 p.m. tonight until 5 a.m. on Monday. Give yourself a little extra time if you're [headed to or from Logan airport]( (or take the T). - Currently, this weekend's closure is the only one on [the schedule]( ahead of the second, two-month 24/7 closure this summer. But based on [the past comments of state highway officials]( we should probably expect a handful more weekend closures this spring. (MassDOT says they're still finalizing the schedule.) - This weekend's MBTA adventure: Shuttle buses are replacing all Red Line service [between Park Street and JFK/UMass]( this weekend so the T can do more tunnel inspections. And yes, that disruption will coincide with [the ongoing partial Green Line closure]( west of Copley, which will continue through next Friday. ([So many shuttles!]( - The silver lining: The commuter rail will be free to ride between JFK/UMass and South Station all weekend. The T is also leaving fare gates open at both Park and JFK/UMass for outbound riders. - One other thing: Shuttles are replacing commuter rail service between South Station and Framingham on Saturday. [Click here for details]( (and [the most confusing MBTA diversion graphic yet](. P.S.— The Massachusetts state lottery announced a new themed scratch ticket that offers a chance to win a trip to Martha's Vineyard based on this movie. Do you know the answer? Then take our [Boston News Quiz]( and test your knowledge of this week's stories. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  The Rundown [Biden nominates Marty Walsh for Postal Service Board seat]( President Joe Biden on Thursday nominated former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, who spent more than two years as labor secretary in his Cabinet, for a position on the U.S. Postal Service's Board of Governors. The board effectively oversees operations of the Postal Service. [Read more.]( [Biden nominates Marty Walsh for Postal Service Board seat]( President Joe Biden on Thursday nominated former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, who spent more than two years as labor secretary in his Cabinet, for a position on the U.S. Postal Service's Board of Governors. The board effectively oversees operations of the Postal Service. [Read more.]( [Mass. Airman accused of leaking classified docs expected to plead guilty]( Jack Teixeira was arrested last April and charged with six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information. Each count carries up to 10 years in prison. [Read more.]( [Mass. Airman accused of leaking classified docs expected to plead guilty]( Jack Teixeira was arrested last April and charged with six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information. Each count carries up to 10 years in prison. [Read more.]( [Boston Teachers Union begins negotiations on new contract]( BTU leadership says the union's requests fall under four categories: improved facilities and learning spaces, better services for students with disabilities and English learners, student mental health supports, and higher pay, especially for paraprofessionals. [Read more.]( [Boston Teachers Union begins negotiations on new contract]( BTU leadership says the union's requests fall under four categories: improved facilities and learning spaces, better services for students with disabilities and English learners, student mental health supports, and higher pay, especially for paraprofessionals. [Read more.]( [Study finds racial disparities in outcomes of police stops across Mass.]( Researchers found that while race didn't appear to be a determining factor in who got pulled over for traffic stops, there were differences in the penalties motorists received. [Read more.]( [Study finds racial disparities in outcomes of police stops across Mass.]( Researchers found that while race didn't appear to be a determining factor in who got pulled over for traffic stops, there were differences in the penalties motorists received. [Read more.]( [The future is now: 16- and 17-year-olds prep to head to the polls in Brattleboro, Vt.]( Sixteen and 17-year-olds in one Vermont town will get to vote in the local elections next week. And those who turn 18 by the November general election will be permitted to vote in the state’s presidential primaries on Super Tuesday. [Read more.]( [The future is now: 16- and 17-year-olds prep to head to the polls in Brattleboro, Vt.]( Sixteen and 17-year-olds in one Vermont town will get to vote in the local elections next week. And those who turn 18 by the November general election will be permitted to vote in the state’s presidential primaries on Super Tuesday. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Over 50 years ago, three siblings in Boston had their picture taken by official Black Panther Party photographer Stephen Shames. After recently seeing the image on display at the MFA, WBUR's Arielle Gray began [a quest to identify the unnamed siblings]( and learn more about the history of the Black Panther Party's chapter in Boston. - WBUR's Amelia Mason talks to Emerson College alum and Massachusetts-bred actor Peter Gibson — who stars in the American Repertory Theater's new play about a mid-life gender transition — about coming home to Boston and what it’s like to be a trans actor in Hollywood today. Read [the full Q&A](. - Harini Aiyer works as a salesperson during the day. At night, she's an aspiring standup comic. And [as WBUR's Solon Kelleher reports]( she's one of six South Asian immigrants whose stories are taking center stage this weekend at the Academy of Performing Arts in Burlington. - Shaumba-Yandje Dibinga, the founding creative director of Boston's OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center,[spoke to our Cognoscenti team]( about her goals for her students, the way Black joy interacts with advocacy and how African culture influences American arts.  What We're Reading 📚 - Really, Dedham? ([The Boston Globe]( - Center for Public Integrity Weighs Merger or Shutdown Amid Dire Financial Straits ([The New York Times]( - Is The New York Times’ newsroom just a bunch of Ivy Leaguers? (Kinda, sorta.) ([Nieman Lab](  Food For Thought [My daughters sold Girl Scout Cookies. Here's what I learned in the Thin Mint trenches]( There are no Wonka-like scenes of Tagalong rainbows and Do-si-do stools. But parents can be forgiven for feeling like Oompa Loompas — hardworking cogs in a well-oiled machine. [Read more.]( [My daughters sold Girl Scout Cookies. Here's what I learned in the Thin Mint trenches]( There are no Wonka-like scenes of Tagalong rainbows and Do-si-do stools. But parents can be forgiven for feeling like Oompa Loompas — hardworking cogs in a well-oiled machine. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common [shares five fun events in Boston]( (including two at CitySpace) to look forward to this March. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: Hopefully [the bus lanes]( will do something about [this.]( 😎 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. 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