Attack on the Capital: What Waltham Officials Haven’t Learned

A recent article for Wicked Local / Waltham News Tribune asked three of our local/state elected officials for reactions to the Jan. 6 events at the US Capitol. All three used strong language in condemning the rioters, but none of them addressed the full story of what these events mean for our country or for Waltham.

Two days ago we saw a group of predominantly white rioters breach the Capitol of the most powerful nation on earth and hold our government hostage for several hours. Somehow, a nation that spends trillions on military and homeland security failed to protect our lawmakers as they performed a function critical to the continuation of our democracy. While we don’t yet know all the details of the law enforcement response, it is painfully clear that the attackers were not subject to the level of force routinely used against Black people and our allies by law enforcement in response to even the most peaceful protests. Though the pro-Trump protests were well-known in advance, the nation’s capital was not prepared with the legions of police or military-style equipment that routinely greet protests in support of Black Lives Matter.

Protestors hold a Trump banner at Waltham’s “Support the Police” rally.

This is not an unusual point of view-- many national leaders including the president-elect have made the same observations. But none of the local officials interviewed for the article addressed the police response to the capitol riot.

According to the article, State Representative and City Councillor-at-Large Tom Stanley described his reaction to the Jan. 6 events as “shock” and “dismay.” For Black people and many other groups that are vulnerable to police violence, these events were certainly dismaying but they were not shocking. They are the culmination of trends we have been seeing and speaking out about for years.

It’s no secret that far-right groups and hate groups have been on the rise (including here in MA) and that they have infiltrated some law-enforcement agencies. The responses of law enforcement agencies to protests around the country have forced us to question whether their loyalty lies with the rule of law or with age-old prejudices. Right-wing groups have used “support the police” as a codeword for pro-Trump activity, adding to the uncertainty about who the police serve. People who question police policy are accused of hating police, even if they are police themselves.

Whether or not our officials acknowledge it, these issues hit home in Waltham. Let’s take a look at what was going on in Waltham last summer, when BLM protests were happening around the nation.

In August, Waltham PD Officer Scott Hovespian, who is also the head of the statewide police organization MassCop, met with President Trump and described the police reform bill pending in MA as a “complete assault on the people who are paid to protect.” MassCop vehemently opposed the bill, which they said was rushed and did not reflect input from the police themselves. But after it was delayed for months and significantly watered down, they still opposed it. In his role as state rep, Mr. Stanley twice sided with MassCop, voting against both versions of the bill.

Also in August, the most contentious protest Waltham has seen in many years was organized by a group that claimed to support the police. Their standout near City Hall featured a Trump banner and a protestor dressed as a knight templar (a far-right symbol). At least two protestors were caught on video assaulting counter-protestors. Two former Waltham city councilors participated.

In a City Council meeting in June, Councilor Kristine Mackin proposed a small cut to the Waltham PD budget. In a subsequent meeting, she attempted to delay a vote on the city’s contracts with the police unions to allow more time for public review. These proposals were voted down and met with anger from some members of the council who argued that since the budget and contracts had been negotiated by the mayor, the council had no business scrutinizing them. Councilor Mackin faced personal attacks in the council meeting followed by harassment on social media by those who perceived her as anti-police.

A protestor in a knight templar costume at the Waltham “support the police” rally.

Those meetings exposed uncertainty in Waltham about who makes the rules for police. Waltham’s contracts with the police unions set many of the rules by which the department is run, including the conditions under which the chief can discipline officers. In some cases they allow an outside arbiter to overturn discipline. These contracts, as well as the police budget, are negotiated by the mayor’s office behind closed doors, and usually approved by the city council with little or no debate. Some councilors see oversight of the police as the mayor’s job, but the council has also made ordinances that limit, for example, who she can hire as police chief.

This uncertainty should be alarming to anyone who was “dismayed” by the events at the capitol. But Mr. Stanley and other long-serving city councilors have apparently allowed it to persist for years.

Also in June, Councilor Mackin proposed a Black Lives Matter resolution that was sent to committee and has still not been passed by the full council. In committee, Mr. Stanley voted in favor of the resolution, but commented “All of the horrendous things that we’re hearing about happening around the country that just make my heart sink, they don’t happen here. We should recognize that.”

In his interview, Mr. Stanley seems to believe the political violence we saw in DC could happen here, expressing concern for his personal safety as an elected official. Does this mean he can now appreciate the point of view of his constituents who are concerned about the police?

Waltham Mayor Jeanette McCarthy (left) and MA State Rep. / Waltham City Councilor Tom Stanley (right).

Not exactly. Mr. Stanley continues “Even in terms of safety in the last few years there have been instances of overflow, crowds in the City Council chamber, angry crowds ... They [residents] were inches from us and it’s just not safe. Now we have to have police officers at City Council meetings, before it was a complete rarity that that ever happened.”

In the past year many new people have gotten engaged in Waltham politics, inspired largely by the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as a desire to help Waltham’s unhoused population. So who exactly are the angry citizens Mr. Stanley fears? And why is he so certain police are the answer?

For her part, Waltham Mayor McCarthy said that “violent protests never work.” She also noted that “I think it’s important that people realize we have the best democracy in the world,” as if to blow off any suggestion that there are structural issues to discuss.

Recent history has taught Waltham residents a lot about our country and our city. But some of our elected leaders don’t seem to be learning. In the best case scenario, the events of Jan. 6 will be a wake up call to those who need it and trigger waves of positive change across our country. Let’s make sure they don’t miss Waltham.

We are not a right-wing community-- only 27% of Waltham voted for Trump. We don’t deserve to live in a city that is unduly influenced by far right values, especially when it comes to police policy. It doesn’t have to be this way, and it won’t be this way for long, if residents from diverse backgrounds continue to push for change at the local level.

We have seen in the short time WBFF has existed what our community can accomplish when we come together to support one another and refuse to let the narrative of hatred, conspiracy, and division prevent us from standing up for what is right. Citizens who want to be part of this change are invited to visit WBFF website and social media and get involved in our efforts to address racial and economic inequality in all areas of Waltham life including schools, healthcare, and public safety.

Whether you do it as part of a group or on your own, learning more about local issues, showing up for city council or other public meetings, and volunteering time can make a big difference in turning Waltham into a place that reflects the value of its people. Most importantly, plan to vote in both the 2021 and 2022 elections for local officials and state reps who are committed to addressing problems like racism, police violence, and right-wing extremism, rather than brushing them under the table.