Boston Declares Racism A Public Health Crisis

BOSTON — Mayor Marty Walsh is declaring racism a public health crisis in the city. His announcement Friday was bolstered by a proposal to transfer $3 million from the police overtime budget to the Boston Public Health Commission.

The money is 20 percent of the police overtime's $12 million budget. Walsh said the investments are important, but not enough.

"We’re determined to accelerate our work towards systemic change to renew our nation’s and our city’s promise of equal opportunity and justice for every single person," Walsh said. "The health impacts of historic and systemic racism are clear."

Boston is the latest Massachusetts city to dub racism a public health crisis. It comes at the urging of many in the community — including City Councilors — in the wake of the death of George Floyd, who died with a Minneapolis police officer's knee on his neck.

Boston Police Commissioner William Gross said Boston must make sure the "cowardly murder" of Floyd doesn't happen here.