Medford Council Declares Racism A Health Crisis, Calls For Action

MEDFORD, MA — A resolution to declare systemic racism a public health emergency in Medford was coolly received by some city councilors, who felt it was a symbolic gesture that would not result in tangible change. Ultimately, the resolution passed 4-3 Tuesday, following a lengthy debate that included comments from several community members.

The resolution, introduced by councilors Zac Bears and Nicole Morell, stated in part, "be it resolved by the Medford City Council that the city of Medford declares systemic racism to be a public health emergency that demands immediate action from the city and its residents." It also invited the mayor and School Committee to join the City Council in its declaration.

"Medford residents, especially young black residents, are sharing stories online about the hate they've experienced in our schools and on our streets," Bears said. At one point last week, Medford was trending on Twitter as people posted about their experiences with racism in the city.

"How many people saw things or heard things in the past week that they never thought was happening in the city?" Bears later asked.

Morell stressed that simply calling racism an emergency "doesn't get the work done," but shared statistics to support calling it a public health crisis. She said that black Americans are three times more likely than white Americans to be killed by police; black women die of pregnancy-related causes at a rate of about three times higher than white women; black Americans are dying of COVID-19 at three times the rate of white Americans; and black Americans face a higher rate of particle pollution, which ties into COVID-19 cases.

"All this does nothing to speak of the immense mental health toll of systemic and structural racism," Morell said.

Several residents spoke in support of the resolution and hoped it resulted in action. Marshall Moutenot mentioned including it in budget talks, saying "the diversity funding is minuscule relative to other items."

"I feel very strongly that this is a public health crisis," Natalie Hill, who identified herself as a mental health counselor, said. "It's been a main topic of conversation in my sessions for the past two weeks. It should have been a main topic of discussion for much longer."

Some councilors wondered how the resolution would be implemented. Public Health Director Maryann O'Connor said she was not aware of funding available for communities that declare systemic racism a health emergency, but she believes the mayor is looking at policy changes that would come with such a declaration.

"I'm not big on symbolic stuff," Councilor Adam Knight, who voted against the resolution, said. "I'm more of an action guy when it comes down to business."

Councilors George Scarpelli and Richard Caraviello, who also voted no, echoed Knight's call for more action. Scarpelli put forth a separate motion to hold a public forum with the mayor's office, the Board of Health, the police chief, the diversity director, the superintendent of schools and representatives of communities of color.

"I don't see one person of color here," Scarpelli said. "A statement like this, I appreciate it, I can understand that Councilor Morell and Councilor Bears want to go forward with this, but as I talk to my colleagues in Somerville, there is substance behind what they are going to do."

Somerville declared systemic racism a public health and safety emergency last week, laying out a 10-step plan to provide "just, unbiased and compassionate policing." Somerville Police Chief David Fallon said his department has been "systematically transforming" how it approaches policing, emphasizing compassion, deescalation and crisis intervention over straight arrests.

Somerville followed that up by adopting the "8 Can't Wait" police reform policies, which some Medford leaders are considering as well.

Bears emphasized that his and Morell's resolution was not intended to be the final word on ending systemic racism but rather a starting point to "do the education and do the conversation." Still, the City Council held separate votes on both the resolution and Scarpelli's motion, with the latter passing 7-0.

"This isn't going to be a one-week issue," Scarpelli said. "We need to find a way to work both budgetary and socially to move this forward."