Focus on Progressive Government

Cambridge sets a national standard for social and economic justice, protection for the rights of women, minorities, the disabled and the GLBT community and for the recognition and celebration of diversity as a positive force in community life. I am proud to uphold this remarkable tradition and lead our city forward.

Civil Liberties

We have an obligation to defend the civil rights and liberties of all Cambridge residents. I have taken a leading role in opposing the USA PATRIOT Act, and I have even appeared on the archconservative TV program, The O'Reilly Factor, to defend Cambridge's support of civil liberties.

Workers Rights

I sit on the Justice for Janitors Workers Rights Board. Most recently I have supported Harvard Security Guards in their fight for a livable wage in Cambridge. I also supported the workers at the Radisson Hotel in their fight for fair treatment by management. I will continue to support both workers and employers in accordance with the principles we as a City Council have laid out.

Over the years I have stood with and spoke out on behalf of:

• R&C Cleaning employees in their long but successful fight to organize at Genzyme
• Harvard janitors as they continue to for fairer wages
• Utility workers in their negotiations with NSTAR
• Truck drivers in their ongoing struggle with NorthEast Electrical
• Electrical workers and communications workers in their ongoing struggle with Verizon

Marriage Equality

I cosponsored legislation that allowed Cambridge to become the first city in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage. I also organized the midnight celebration of marriage equality in May of 2004. I was pleased that the “Marriage Amendment” was defeated at the Constitutional Convention securing marriage equality in Massachusetts.