Boston Mayor Michelle Wu apologizes for holiday party invite to all electeds

Michelle Wu, Boston’s first Asian American Democratic mayor, has faced criticism after an email inviting minority city councillors for a holiday party was accidentally sent to every council member.

Calling an “honest mistake,” the Boston’s mayor apologized for the incident this week, US News and Fox 10 reported.

Mayor Michelle Wu said the mistake was made when her aide Denise DosSantos sent the email, with the subject line “Electeds of Color Holiday Party”, to all officials instead of a select few officials.

The party’s invitation was scheduled at the city-owned Parkman House near the Massachusetts Statehouse.

She said it was “truly just an honest mistake”, although the initial email went to all city councillors.

The mayor swiftly drew criticism after it became apparent the email was sent to all city councillors, and of them, seven of whom are White.

The invitation was meant only for the six councillors of the city.

DosSantos clarified that the invitation was only meant for minority city councillors, fifteen minutes after the email was sent out.

Frank Baker, elected to the council in 2011, said a party limited to elected officials sends the wrong message.

Baker stated that he was not particularly upset by the decision.

Talking to reporters, City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo, who defended the holiday get-together, said somebody wanted to make this an inflammatory issue and they have succeeded clearly.

Wu’s press secretary Ricardo Patrón said they did not use city funds to pay for the party.

Holding a different opinion and defending the invitation in a statement, Black City Councilor Brian Worrell suggested the holiday party was merely a way to represent “all kinds of special groups” in the Boston government.

Mentioning that the party was not typical of the mayor’s office, Councilor Michael McCormack said former city leaders would have invited the entire chamber.

On Wednesday, the Electeds of Color group had asked the mayor to host the annual party.

However, Mayor Wu spokesperson Ricardo Patron stressed that the event was just one of several events throughout the season.

The mayor is planning a holiday party next week to which all cabinet members, city councillors, and the legislature will be invited.

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