Photo: Courtesy of Mayor Michelle Wu
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu responded to backlash from several faith community leaders on Saturday, after they criticized her response to the recent gun violence in some Boston neighborhoods.
Church and community leaders spoke out last week saying Mayor Wu hasn't been in touch with some areas being affected by the uprise in gun violence. Boston had its seventh homicide of the year just seven weeks into 2023, doubling the amount seen at the same time last year.
Mayor Wu said finding a balance in the public eye is difficult in her response to the criticism yesterday.
"It's very difficult to find the right balance between supporting families, and being present, and reaching out with services and support behind closed doors rather than in front of cameras," Mayor Wu said. "I'm trying my best to do both."
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Reverend Dr. Gregory Groover, a pastor at Charles Street AME Church in Roxbury, said he is not critical of the major, as other religious leaders are.
"I know that people have said that the mayor has not met with clergy, we have not asked her," said Reverend Dr. Gregory Groover.
Groover told WBZ's Shari Small he believes faith leaders must unite before criticizing Mayor Wu.
"[We need] to get ourselves together and come together collectively and then we will issue an invitation and I'm more than certain she will respond," he said.
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