A group of white restaurant owners has filed a lawsuit against Boston’s Democratic Mayor Michelle Wu, alleging racial discrimination.
The restaurant owners claim they were specifically targeted by the city and Wu for fees amounting to $7,500 for outdoor dining, which only applied to establishments in their locality. The plaintiffs are seeking $500,000 in compensatory damages, as well as $1 million in punitive damages, the Daily Wire reported.
“It is commonly known that the traditional owner of a restaurant in the North End of Boston is a white male of Italian descent, and the North End is generally regarded (as) the last true ethnic Boston Italian neighborhood,” said a Tuesday legal filing from the group of restaurant owners, according to CBS News.
“The Plaintiffs had a right to be treated the same as other restaurants in the City who were granted outdoor dining and not singled out to pay fees … to have outdoor dining because of their sex or national origin/ethnicity as appears in this case,” the lawsuit continues.
Those who have filed the lawsuit against Wu include restaurant owners Jorge Mendoza-Iturralde, Carla Gomes, Jason and Kim Silvestri, and Patrick Mendoza, all of whom operate eateries in Boston’s North End district. Previously, in October, the group had claimed that the fees imposed on them were unconstitutional, but a judge dismissed the allegations at that time.
Wu defended the fees, stating that they were essential for managing traffic congestion and waste disposal in the North End neighborhood, which was the only location in the city subjected to the additional charges. Following a backlash, Wu made some adjustments to the requirements and introduced a process for certain establishments to request an exemption from the fees, the reports noted.
“I won’t comment on ongoing litigation that the city is involved in, but I will say that we stand fully behind decisions that are to ensure residents can live in their neighborhoods with the full range of ease of access and safety and opportunity,” Wu told reporters after she was asked about the lawsuit.
Mendoza-Iturralde ran for a city council position last year in response to Wu’s restaurant fees, campaigning on a platform of upholding law enforcement, promoting small businesses, and preserving the city’s historic landmarks. However, his bid was unsuccessful.
“The city of Boston is failing the people and I feel I have to do something about it,” he noted as he announced his campaign. “I will be a vocal challenge to Mayor Wu.”
Wu has faced criticism for making racially insensitive jokes in the past. On St. Patrick’s Day, she made a comment about having to deal with “white problems,” which drew backlash from some quarters.
“I’m getting used to dealing with problems that are expensive, disruptive, and white — I’m talking about snowflakes, snowstorms, snowflakes!” she said then.
