Boycott looms for Boston landmark named for slave owner

[left-of-center2012]

BOSTON —
Boston’s Faneuil Hall has served as a home for civic rhetoric from the time colonists congregated to talk about freedom from the British. But the site known as the Cradle of Liberty is named after wealthy 18th-century slave owner Peter Faneuil, much to the chagrin of activists who are planning a boycott.

Kevin Peterson is leading the boycott of the city-owned building this week, saying the hall was constructed from money derived from the sale of slaves, and that the city’s African-American population doesn’t feel a connection to the site.

Peterson said letters to Democratic Mayor Martin Walsh’s office and the Boston City Council calling for a public hearing have gone unanswered.

As an alternative, Peterson and other members of the New Democracy Coalition are calling for the name to be changed to commemorate Crispus Attucks, a black man who was killed during the 1770 Boston Massacre, generally considered the first casualty of the American Revolution.

https://www.pressherald.com/2018/08/02/boycott-looms-for-boston-icon-named-for-slave-owner/

[asiliveandbreathe]

1. Great structure..fond memories..born and raised Mass...many fun times in Boston..

Saturday night out for dinner....UNTIL - Albert Desalvo....

Change the name..okay by me....

[Loki Liesmith]

2. The mayor has responded

They are not going to change the name. Full stop.

[bitterross]

3. This is a lot different than memorial statues and schools in the South.

This seems a step too far. If we are going to rename everything named for a slaveholder we've got a lot of things to rename.

I read the article. He owed 5 slaves that he inherited. He wasn't a Confederate General. He was a rather normal merchant of the time it seems.

I see no reason to rename or boycott.

[Sneederbunk]

4. This just in. Washington D.C. not to change name either.

[heaven05]

5. this should bring all the 'southies'

out their holes to wear their maga hats and threaten black folks and activists. Since white folks, like the police in Portland Oregon yesterday, have the go-ahead from their Fuhrer to attack any anti-fascist and let the fascist, violent nazi, KKK white supremacist pigs alone. May one of those freak Massachusetts tornadoes bring that building down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JonLP24]

6. Fine by me

I hate the "of his time" argument since they were abolitionists so they somehow knew better. Even then why have a landmark for them.