Brookline Select Board To Vote On Boston Marathon Permit Aug. 31

BROOKLINE, MA — The Brookline Select Board is set to vote on the 125th Boston Marathon's special use permit on August 31 after delaying the vote at the July 27 meeting, with some members arguing that marathon organizers had not done enough to recognize that the race is scheduled to take place on October 11, which is locally celebrated as Indigenous Peoples Day.

Since April, the activist group Indigenous Peoples Day Newton has been attempting to convince the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) to reschedule the race, launching a petition that currently has over 41,000 signatures.

"Unfortunately, the Boston Athletic Association has decided that Indigenous Peoples Day is a 'side' holiday that can be usurped," says the petition. "By doing this, they are perpetuating the myth that Indigenous peoples are part of the past and irrelevant. They are also maintaining the falsehood that non-Indigenous desires and ideas are more valuable than the wants and ideas of Indigenous peoples."

"The B.A.A. has the chance to acknowledge the importance of keeping the spotlight on Indigenous Peoples Day rather than steal the spotlight for the Marathon," it continues.

The vote delay came after Brookline Select Board members spoke out against the B.A.A.'s decision last month and Vice Chairman Raul Fernandez said organizers need to work harder at acknowledging the scheduling controversy, arguing that establishing Indigenous Peoples Day in Brookline "did not come easy."

“I really would like to see a more public-facing acknowledgement by the B.A.A., at a minimum,” said Fernandez at the July 27 meeting. “But then also, what does reparations look like for this, too? What kind of contributions is the B.A.A. planning to make beyond some banners or some mentions during the race on TV or something? What is the B.A.A going to actually do to improve the conditions of indigenous people today and to highlight those communities?”

"I think it is something that deserves discussion," agreed Select Board Member John VanScoyoc. "I just want to make it clear though that the tradition of the B.A.A. marathon is one of the things that makes people feel really good about Boston, it's one of the things that is most appreciated about Boston."

"We are going to work it out," he continued.

Over the last few weeks, the B.A.A. said they have met with Native American runner and three-time second place Boston Marathon finisher Patti Dillon, leaders of the Native American advocacy organizations Rising Hearts and WINGS of America, state and local government officials, and representatives from the Federal and State Recognized Tribes.

The B.A.A. also said they plan to highlight the Indigenous tradition within the Boston Marathon, including the victories of Ellison Brown and Thomas Longboat during the 125th Boston Marathon celebration and are working with representatives from the Federal and State Recognized Tribes on a land acknowledgment.

"In selecting the fall date for the Boston Marathon, the B.A.A. in no way wanted to take away from Indigenous Peoples’ Day or celebrations for the Indigenous Community," said the B.A.A. in an email. "The B.A.A. has extended its sincere apologies to the Indigenous groups, committees, and individuals we have met with."