Woburn Mayor Says Planned Protest 'Must Be Delayed' For Permit

WOBURN, MA — Mayor Scott Galvin said Monday afternoon that a planned protest over the killing of George Floyd "must be delayed" due to permitting requirements.

"The march was scheduled to be held this Thursday (June 4), but the application must be filed through the Woburn City Council, so the date of the protest march must be delayed," Galvin said in a Facebook post.

In the post, Galvin said the intention of the organizer "is well-meaning" and that his administration supports the right to peacefully assemble.

"We share her outrage, and the outrage of a nation over the killing of an unarmed black man," Galvin wrote.

However, he said, the protest will still require a permit.

"In the City of Woburn, organized, peaceful assembly requires a special event permit," Galvin wrote. "The purpose of the ordinance is to establish procedures and requirements for allowing the use of public property by providing for traffic and crowd control, for street, park and property maintenance and for the protection of public health, safety and welfare."

The planned march would from the high school, down Montvale to City Hall.

According to the municipal code, special event permits are required for demonstrations and marches on city streets, parks and public areas unless they are "conducted on public sidewalks so as not to impede pedestrian or vehicular traffic are not considered special events."

Typically applications must be made 45 days ahead of an event, but City Council can waive the time requirement "for good cause shown." City Council has a meeting scheduled Tuesday.

The Woburn Police Department also commented Monday afternoon on the planned protest and on the death of George Floyd.

"The men and women of the Woburn Police Department are deeply disturbed by the abhorrent and barbaric actions of the Minneapolis police officers which led to the tragic and completely senseless death of George Floyd," the department posted. "The actions of those officers are completely inconsistent with the policies and training of the Woburn Police Department."

"We are aware of a scheduled rally set for the evening of June 4th. The officers of the Woburn Police Department are sympathetic to the message that is intended and we support the cause for equality and reform," the post continued. "We will not allow those that wish to cause property damage and violence to distract from the message of hope, unity, and for a peaceful protest."

Galvin also noted that downtown businesses and residents have expressed concern about the protest, in light of property damage in other protests around the country.

Galvin continued:

"In light of what transpired Sunday night in Boston and cities across the country, there is a real concern about public safety for our community and the protection of our local small business owners, who are already struggling in the midst of being shut down for several months.

It’s also important to say out loud that we support the dedicated men and women who make up our own Woburn Police Department. The horrific actions of some do not, and should not, be held against all police officers.

That goes the same for our civic-minded young people who want to exercise their own right to free speech and assembly. They should not be judged by the outrageous behavior of so many across the nation Sunday night, and right here in Boston, who care nothing about the memory of George Floyd.

We know for certain that our community and our nation is in need of healing—healing from a pandemic that has taken so many of our fellow citizens and caused tremendous economic disruption and personal hardships on so many this year. But we are also in need of healing from decades of racial and other injustices that demand our action now more than ever.

As we continue to walk forward together, it’s essential that we do so with respect for ourselves, respect for one another, respect for the neighborhood and community in which you live—and respect the freedoms we have in this great nation."

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.