Mayor Walsh Announces Initiatives To Combat Racial Inequity In Boston

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh on Thursday announced a slew of initiatives aimed at reducing racial inequity in the city. The announcement comes after weeks of protests spurred by the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, including in Boston.

One of those initiatives is the creation of an equity and inclusion Cabinet charged with helping the city fight racial injustice.

The Cabinet will help dismantle what Walsh described as barriers to equity that many residents of the city face. It will also work on supporting immigrants, helping the advancement of women and increasing access to health care, the Democrat said during a press conference outside Boston City Hall.

"This change needs to be led by all of us," Walsh said.

Walsh also touted the creation of a new Boston Racial Equity Fund with the goal of helping nonprofit groups focused on racial equity through economic development, public health, jobs for young people, and education.

In addition, Walsh said he had created a task force to review police "policies and oversight," and promised to act on the results of their review before the end of the year.

Also Thursday, Walsh said the city will be creating a new zoning amendment which he said will help protect fair housing in the city. He added that, if implemented, the amendment would make Boston the first city in the country with a fair housing provision in its zoning code.