Latest news with #AyannaPressley
CBS News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Roxbury Unity Parade celebrates Black culture and honors residents in Boston
Celebrating Black culture and excellence, the annual Roxbury Unity Parade took center stage Sunday in Boston. Kicking off at Madison Park High School, Roxbury families, elected officials and those running for office marched in solidarity. The parade is meant to honor the past and reflect the rich tapestry of Roxbury's legacy. "Today we celebrate Black beauty, Black brilliance, Black resilience, Black innovation," said Rep. Ayanna Pressley. Found Toy Burton said the parade began in 2017 after a summer of violence. "Let those who grow up here know that they come from a proud neighborhood," said Burton. "There's good happening here every day and that's why we give away awards to uplift those who uplift Roxbury every day." Wu and Kraft also took part in the event. "We are still in a moment where people are really struggling," said Wu. "The cost of just putting food on the table is still a big, big stress, so we are going to keep fighting, we're going to fight against the federal administration that's trying to attack our identities, take us backwards, rejects the beauty of our diverse communities." Kraft said there is a lot of work that needs to be done in the community. "Celebrating the legacy through a powerful parade the way Toy Burton has created is an easy thing to get behind," said Kraft. "The number one concern in the city is people don't feel listened to, they don't feel connected to the city and the first tangible issue that we hear about is housing. Housing is unaffordable and unattainable, especially for working families." Boston music legends and Roxbury natives Michael Bivens and Ron DeVoe from New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe also made an appearance at the parade and helped present community awards.
CBS News
22-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Massachusetts lawmakers react to U.S. strikes on Iran, calling them "unconstitutional"
Massachusetts lawmakers reacted to President Trump's announcement that the U.S. had successfully attacked three nuclear sites in Iran. Lawmakers react to U.S. strikes on Iran Senator Elizabeth Warren took to X right before Mr. Trump spoke at 10 p.m. about the strikes. She said, "The United States should not wage war against Iran. Donald Trump's bombing of Iran is unconstitutional. Only Congress can declare war — and the Senate must vote immediately to prevent another endless war. This is a horrific war of choice." Senator Ed Markey released a statement on the strikes, saying that a "diplomatic solution remains the best way" to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. "Trump's military attack on Iran was illegal and unconstitutional. This attack was not approved by Congress and holds dangers for all Americans. The American people do not want another endless war in the Middle East... Trump's illegal actions raise the risk of escalation into a wider regional war with grave risks for U.S. troops and personnel and civilians in the region." Markey finished by calling on Mr. Trump to begin ceasefire talks with Israel and Iran. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley reacted on X shortly after the news broke, saying, "This is a violation of the Constitution that is risking innocent lives. We do not need another deadly, endless war. Congress must act immediately to rein in Trump." Representative Jake Auchinloss called for action, saying, "Two things should happen immediately: - Iran surrenders its nuclear program & ceases funding terrorists. - Congress revokes the 2001 & 2002 war authorities so that the American public can get an open & thorough debate on war-making." Representative Jim McGovern said that Congress must return to Washington immediately to stop the U.S.'s involvement in Iran: "This is insane. Trump just bombed Iran without Congressional approval, illegally dragging us into war in the Middle East. Have we not learned our lesson!?!?"
Washington Post
11-06-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Forget ‘Trump accounts.' Here's how to secure our children's future.
Darrick Hamilton is chief economist at the AFL-CIO and director of the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy at the New School. Ayanna Pressley, a Democrat, represents Massachusetts's 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. In the United States, the wealthiest nation in the world, a child born into poverty is unlikely to ever climb out of it. Wealth inequality in this country has reached historic highs, with the top 10 percent of households holding 67 percent of the nation's total wealth, while the bottom 50 percent holds just 2.5 percent. This means that millions of children grow up lacking basic economic security.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
They served their time, so why can't they leave prison behind?
Editor's note: This story is part of 'Hard Times,' a special report by The Republican on the challenge of healing from civic trauma. For many felons, prison ends, but the damage doesn't. They struggle with post-incarceration syndrome — a PTSD-like condition that makes rebuilding their lives an uphill battle. Without the right support, many battle anxiety, depression and the weight of their past. That struggle often leads to joblessness, addiction and ending up back in prison. Some lawmakers and civil rights groups are pushing for better research and more support. In 2023, U.S. Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Grace Napolitano urged the National Institute of Mental Health to study post-incarceration syndrome and its consequences, highlighting how carceral environments lead to lasting mental health damage. The NAACP says nearly 2.3 million people are locked up in the U.S., yet most don't get treatment for PTSD. Without help, people bring that trauma home to their families and neighborhoods. As such, the NAACP has called for trauma-informed care for former prisoners. Holyoke City Councilor Israel Rivera has a recurring dream that he's back in prison. 'I still wake up in hot sweats, stressed out, wanting to cry, because I got a family now,' Rivera said in a recent interview at the Holyoke office where he works as a regional manager for Families First, a nonprofit that supports parents throughout Massachusetts. In the early 2000s, law enforcement officers raided a home Rivera was in. Rivera was arrested and served five years on drug-related charges. He was not far from adolescence, having just turned 21. Since getting out, he's struggled to leave prison behind. As an example, he told the story of a dinner party where he introduced himself as an 'ex-felon.' A woman asked, 'Why do you do that?' He hadn't thought about it. In part, he wants to humanize other felons. He wants to let people know that they are people like him. He uses his presence to challenge prejudices. 'But then I was like, damn, it's been over 10 years since I came out of jail. Why am I still saying that?' Rivera said. He's not sure why, but he knows prison is still inside him. 'It is still in my head,' he said. 'I'm keeping myself in a kind of box. That's PTSD.' In prison, Rivera dreamed of home. But when he woke up, the bars were still there. Now that he's home, his dreams have reversed. 'Now I dream I'm still in prison,' he said. Rivera's story is far from unique. A lot of people in prison were struggling kids first — kids who never got the help they needed. 'If we don't reach young people early and help them heal, they'll carry that trauma into adulthood — filling our prisons instead of reaching their potential,' said Leon Smith, executive director of Citizens for Juvenile Justice. For 30 years, the Boston nonprofit has worked to reform the juvenile justice system in Massachusetts, advocating for policies that address the root causes of criminal behavior. Smith said Massachusetts has made strides in this area. A recent MassINC and Boston Indicators report found that since Massachusetts passed criminal justice reform legislation in 2018, incarceration rates have dropped nearly 50%. The sharpest reductions have come in the last five years, driven by investments in prevention, treatment and reentry support in the Commonwealth. 'Which largely avoided the major spikes in crime experienced in other cities and states during the pandemic,' the report stated. While these improvements are promising, Smith warns that the decline in incarceration has slowed. Between 2022 and 2023, Massachusetts' prison population dropped by only 166 people, according to the Massachusetts Department of Corrections. The real fix, Smith said, is making sure every young person has access to mental health care. 'I have professional friends who are parents and are having a difficult time getting mental health support for their kids,' he said. 'Now consider what it's like when you are at the intersection of race and poverty in our commonwealth. Those parents are having an even more difficult time.' Read the original article on MassLive.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Ilhan Omar addresses murder of Israeli Embassy staff
Rep. Ilhan Omar shockingly refused to acknowledge the deadly shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum overnight that left two Israeli Embassy staffers dead. The pro-Palestinian congresswoman when asked about the tragedy brushed-off the query despite widespread fury over the anti-Semitic murders – even from other pro-Palestinian members of Congress. 'Congresswoman Omar, can I get your reaction to the shooting that happened in DC last night?' a reporter asked outside the Capitol on Thursday morning. The progressive Minnesota representative responded nonchalantly as she was walking: 'I'm going to go for now.' She then briskly walked away from the cameras and reporters. A few hours later, and afte r mounting outrage over her lack of condemnation, Omar was forced to release a statement on X on the horrific murders. 'I am appalled by the deadly shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum last night,' she wrote. 'Absolutely nothing justifies the murder of innocents,' Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X. 'I am devastated by the killing of two people outside an AJC Global event here in Washington. Our prayers are with the victims, families, and loved ones of all impacted.' 'As we await more details, we must be clear that hatred has no home here. Antisemitism is a threat to all we hold dear as a society. It must be confronted and rooted out everywhere,' the New York Democrat concluded. Meanwhile, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) wrote on X early Thursday morning: 'The murder of two Israeli embassy staff outside an AJC Global event in DC is unconscionable and unacceptable.' 'Our freedoms and our destinies are truly tied. I'm praying for the victims, their loved ones, and everyone impacted,' she added. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the only lawmaker of Palestinian descent, did not weigh-in on the shooting as of early Thursday afternoon. The shooting suspect identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez was taken into custody and questioned overnight, the FBI said. He was caught on camera repeatedly shouting 'Free Palestine' as he was arrested. Omar, a Somali refugee, is one of the most outspoken on Capitol Hill in support of Palestinians amid the ingoing war with Israel. Since getting into office, Omar has faced widespread criticism for sharing anti-Israel sentiments and pushing tropes insulting to Jewish people. Back in 2019, Omar was forced to apologize for her a string of comments seen as insulting, insensitive and downright anti-Semitic. In a tweet at the time, the then-freshman congresswoman linked support for Israel to financial contributions by writing: 'It's all about the Benjamins.' She was accused of using the Puff Daddy song line to call up a harmful stereotype of Jewish Americans. After a phone call with Democratic leadership, Omar apologized for using old anti-Semitic tropes about Jews and money.
