Police At Protest Accused Of Excessive Force: The HUB

The HUB is an effort to get you caught up on whatever you need to know each weekday in Boston and around Massachusetts.

Today is Tuesday, June 15. Let's get started.

3 Things To Know Today

Suit: Boston officers used excessive force at Floyd protest

Four people filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on Monday accusing Boston police officers of physically attacking them during a protest last year over the death of George Floyd.

The lawsuit alleges police used “excessive and unnecessary force” on peaceful protesters who went to the demonstration at the Boston Common on May 31, 2020. The protesters are suing three officers and the city of Boston.

“The police department did not have a proper plan for handling a protest at the Boston Common, the officers were not properly supervised, and the department tolerated use of force when no force was necessary to accomplish a proper police purpose,” the lawsuit says.

A Boston Police spokesperson said it does not comment on pending litigation. (Associated Press)

Plans advance for massive makeover of McCormack housing complex in South Boston

After almost four years of planning, city review is about to begin on an ambitious redevelopment of South Boston’s huge Mary Ellen McCormack public housing complex.

WinnCompanies, a developer of affordable housing, on Monday filed notice with the Boston Planning & Development Agency of a 1.5 million-square-foot overhaul of the complex, which sits on 30 acres in the southern part of South Boston, between Andrew Square and Joe Moakley Park.

Under the plan, the World War II vintage complex — where James “Whitey” Bulger, among many others, grew up — would be rebuilt over a decade or more as a mixed-income neighborhood with roughly 2½ times as many apartments and better connections — both physical and social — to the surrounding neighborhoods, which have changed dramatically in recent years. (Tim Logan, Boston Globe)

COVID-19 pandemic policy extensions unfinished as emergency lifts

When the COVID-19 state of emergency ends at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Gov. Charlie Baker’s order allowing remote public meetings is also on track to expire, as is the law allowing restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages to-go.

State lawmakers adjourned for the day Monday without completing legislation that would extend several popular pandemic policy adaptations beyond the state of emergency, leaving some measures linked to the order to lapse, at least temporarily.

The House plans to vote on Tuesday on its version (H 3872) of a policy extension bill, which like legislation the Senate approved last week would add several months’ time to the remote meeting authorization, eviction protections and restaurant relief measures. (Katie Lannan, State House News Service via Lowell Sun)

Cancel Culture Hits Home

Local Voices

Is it pragmatic, or is it the status quo? Joan Vennochi at The Boston Globe asks what exactly to make of the lane City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George is exclusively occupying in the Boston mayoral race. "I bring to the table a healthy balance between dreams and utopia and the reality of today," Essaibi George said. Make of it what you will.

You'd be excused for not knowing the Patriots are getting back at it — but they are. And they're doing it without star cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who skipped the first day of camp due to a contract dispute. Karen Guregian at The Boston Herald says the Patriots need Gilmore on board if they want to chase another Super Bowl.

What I'm reading today: A made-for-TV story playing out in real life, in which Michael Taylor and his son Peter pleaded guilty to smuggling a former Nissan executive out of Japan. What the story (understandably) doesn't mention is my history with Michael Taylor. A decade ago as a college kid at The Boston Globe, my reporting on Lawrence Academy soliciting donations from then-coach Taylor to supplement financial for incoming student-athletes led to the ousters of the private school's leadership staff.

Weather

The National Weather Service says: During the day — A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. At night — A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 58. West wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Have a swell Tuesday.

You can email me at mike.carraggi@patch.com and follow me @PatchCarraggi.