Democratic convention parties face likely boycott

[Freddie Stubbs]

By and Michael Paulson, Globe Staff | July 16, 2004

At least four state Democratic party chairmen urged their delegations this week to boycott Boston's welcoming receptions on the eve of the Democratic National Convention rather than cross union picket lines, raising the possibility that some parties will be canceled.

Democratic party chairmen from California, Ohio, Tennessee, and Maine have written letters or phoned delegates asking them to stay away from the parties to be hosted by Mayor Thomas M. Menino in neighborhoods throughout the city. Some are also asking delegates to boycott Menino's speech on the convention floor Monday night. The moves would amount to a major embarrassment for Menino.

''No staff member of the Ohio Democratic Party, including myself, will cross any picket line during the Democratic National Convention in Boston or attend the Sunday Host Committee Reception sponsored by Mayor Menino and Boston 2004 Inc.," Ohio party chairman Dennis L. White wrote in a letter to Boston's convention host committee. ''We will also ask our delegation to honor this boycott request."

In recent weeks, individual delegates have said they would honor police and firefighter union picket lines and stay away from some of the 30 delegation welcoming parties July 25. But the latest developments are the first indication that large blocks of conventioneers would refuse to attend, jeopardizing Menino's kickoff of convention festivities on a large scale.

more: http://www.boston.com/news/politics/conventions/articles/2004/07/16/convention_parties_face_likely_boycott/

[freetobegay]

1. You would think unions would have a clue!

Get rid of the bastard first, then picket! oy vey.