Walk for Peace Extends Reach in Boston

On its 20th anniversary, the May 8"Mothers Day Walk for Peace" organized by the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, drew a larger turnout and covered more ground--from Dorchester and Roxbury all the way to City Hall Plaza. Homicides in Boston have decreased in recent years (if not to the point of the "Bostno Miracle" years of the the late 1990's), but walk organizers note there's still a growing number of survivors who struggle with the effects of violence for years. See photos.

Surtax Eyed for Housing, Parks, Preservation

Local officials back camapigns by advocates to adopt the Community Prevation Act in Boston. If approved by voters, there would be a one percent surtax for property owners to raise money for housing, parks and open space, and preservation projects. See report and interview with the president of the Mass. Association of CDCs, Joe Kriesberg.

Council Considers New Tenant Protections

The Boston City Council considers new protections for tenants faced with displacement from Boston's hot housing market. Tenant advocates want to have the city adopt a just cause eviction ordinance. After dropping a provision for mediation with property owners, advocates are trying to make evictions--even for non-payment of higher rent--subject to just cause, with more steps to make sure tenants know their legal rights. But property owners say the measure would come too close to reimposing rent control and have a chilling effect on new housing production. See report on March 14 City Council hearing, and interview with tenant advocates from the Chinese Progressive Association and Right to the City, and a segment with the executive director of the Small Property Owners Association, Skip Schloming.

Jamaica Plain, Roxbury Wake Up the Earth

Jamaica Plain and Roxbury celebrated the arrival of spring on May 7 with the annual Wake Up the Earth Festival. The event started with processions from Eagles Square and Centre Street, on bikes, on stilts, aloong with honk bands, a mariachia band and a contemporary Afro Brazilian World Drumming Ensemble. See photos.