FEATURE: DRAINING SWAMPSCOTT THE PROSECUTION OF A PROGRESSIVE PROTESTER - WHERE TO PEE IN BOSTON
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DIGBOSTON.COM | 07.15.21 - 07.29.21
WHERE TO PEE IN BOSTON
FEATURE:
DRAINING SWAMPSCOTT
THE PROSECUTION OF
A PROGRESSIVE PROTESTER
PLUS: BELOVED DIG ALUMS DROP BOOKS, ALBUMS
2 DIGBOSTON.COM | 07.15.21 - 07.29.21
ENTERTAINMENT
Like Never before!
DEAR READER
WELCOME TO BOSTON, NOW
VOL 23 + ISSUE 12
JUL 15, 2021 - JUL 29, 2021 WALK THIS WAY
BUSINESS
PUBLISHER
John Loftus
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS What do you tell people they should eat, see, and do when they tell you they’re
Chris Faraone coming to Boston? Assuming they asked, because only horribly annoying people offer
Jason Pramas
unsolicited travel advice (“You absolutely have to try the P.F. Chang’s in Houston,”
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Dawn Martin someone once informed me unprompted).
BUSINESS DEV. DIRECTOR But what if they really are looking for tips? After all, the internet is only good for
Graham Wilson leading wanderers toward shameless advertorials, so as a local maybe you can help.
FOR ADVERTISING And to those ends, should you lead them toward historic Quincy Market and the
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sales@digboston.com gorgeous Rose Kennedy Greenway? Or steer them clear of the collegiate crowd that
gathers in the bars around that area to shout lines from Seth Rogen movies at each
EDITORIAL other over Nickelback and picklebacks?
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Chris Faraone
Given the task of playing tour guide, do you send them down the Freedom Trail
EXECUTIVE EDITOR and to that silly Boston Tea Party museum? Or do you recommend a road less traveled
Jason Pramas like the Black Heritage Trail around Beacon Hill? How about the nearby Boston
MANAGING EDITOR Journalism Trail?
Mitchell Dewar
Are you one of those people who insists that travelers venture outside of
FILM EDITOR
Jake Mulligan
downtown? I certainly do, and often tell friends to train it out to Eastie or Jamaica
THEATER EDITOR Plain, especially if they are looking for eclectic cuisine served from behind a counter, NEW at R1
Christopher Ehlers as I do when I’m on the move.
FOOD + DRINK EDITOR Do you still tell people visiting the area to check out Harvard Square? I don’t,
J.Q. Louise
unless they’re looking for an ATM or passing through on their way to or back from
COMEDY EDITOR
Dennis Maler Somerville or Central Square.
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT What about our natural beauty? Do you ship ’em up to Gloucester for lobster?
Shira Laucharoen What about the Cape for crabs? Or the Blue Hills for an unparalleled panoramic
CONTRIBUTORS view? And I shouldn’t forget the Boston Harbor Islands, even though I’ve only made it
Zakiya Alake, Sarah Betancourt, Tim Bugbee,
Patrick Cochran, Monica Castillo, Mike Crawford,
out there once in 20 years of living here. I mean, I’m no commodore or captain; still,
Rob Duguay, Iñaki Estívaliz, Jordan Frias, I encourage people to experience Boston from one of the many available kayaks or
Haley Hamilton, Keiko Hiromi, Nate Homan, cruises if that floats their boat.
Zack Huffman, Mark Hurwitz, Nyadenya Inyagwa,
C. Shardae Jobson, Heather Kapplow, I don’t typically steer welcome wagons, but I have been circling this topic for a
Laura Kiesel, Derek Kouyoumjian, Dan McCarthy, while since next week the Dig is hosting friends from all across the country for the
Rev. Irene Monroe, Jane Regan, Noah Schaffer,
annual Association of Alternative Newsmedia convention. I have some ideas about
Maya Shaffer, Claire Sadar, Citizen Strain,
Grace Symes, Jean Troustine, Eric Twardzik, attractions they may want to seek out, but mostly I’ll tell them what I tell anyone who
Karine Vann, Derek Welcome wants to know what’s up around these parts—read the Dig. If you can't find a show
AND MORE!
INTERNS to watch, a hill to climb, or a gallery, record shop, or bookstore to browse in our pages,
Nancy Jiang, Hongyu Liu,
Meg McCarney
then I guess you will be happy to know that there is a P.F. Chang’s one block away
from Boston Common.
DESIGN I recommend the lettuce wraps.
DESIGNER
Scott Murry
scott@scottmurry.com
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Original cover photo of Swampscott protest in support
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STREET EDITION 3
This product contains zero THC 4 DIGBOSTON.COM | 07.15.21 - 07.29.21
NEWS TO US
POLES, POLLS, AND MORE POLS
A rare update on the horse race since most other news is behind paywalls
and our readers need to know about this shit
BY ZACK HUFFMAN
LOCAL votes have enabled the frontrunners during the pandemic, and conservative
There are only about two months left to differentiate themselves from the criticism over taking any precautions at
before the field of six Boston mayoral competition. all.
candidates is narrowed to two final At a recent council meeting, Wu and If Baker chooses to run again, he will
contenders, and one in five voters is still Campbell voted against Janey's proposed face a primary challenge from former
LOCAL not sure who to support. budget for the city over the lack of police state senator and US Senate also-ran Geoff
From the few polls that have been made cuts, while Campbell also opposed the Diehl.
available, the leading two finalists are City school budget. Essaibi George was one Diehl, who co-chaired Donald Trump’s
Councilor Michelle Wu, the only candidate of five councilors who voted in favor 2016 campaign in Massachusetts, only just
to announce before Marty Walsh was of increasing funding for the police announced in the beginning of July, but
tapped by Joe Biden for a cabinet position department's Boston Regional Intelligence so far his platform appears to be about
leaving an acting mayor behind, and Kim Center. attacking Baker for attempting to curb the
Janey, the Council President who ascended Thus far, the election, which many had spread of COVID-19.
to the role. expected to involve Marty Walsh until Joe
As current at-large councilors, Wu Biden’s win last fall, has featured little NATIONAL
and Annissa Essaibi George have the heat between candidates, but that is President Joe Biden may only be halfway
advantage of having already appealed to likely to change as weaker hopefuls get through his first year in office, but so far
a citywide electorate in previous election desperate over the next few weeks. he and the Democrats in the House and
years. Mattapan City Councilor Andrea Senate continue to water down almost
Campbell has also cultivated a reputation STATE every legislative agenda item that Biden
with a wide range of constituents after The race for governor is still over a year promised on the campaign trail.
serving as council president for two years out, but this is the point when potential Most recently, Biden announced that
before Janey took over. candidates begin to set themselves up for his fellow Democrats in the Senate
The most recently published poll, from a contentious 2022. had reached a compromise deal with 11
Suffolk University and the Boston Globe, Thus far, three Democratic candidates Republicans on an infrastructure bill that
shows that Wu currently leads the pack have announced runs, including Harvard cut everything out of his original proposal
STATE
with 23.4%, followed closely by acting professor Danielle Allen, former state Sen. with the exception of actual roadwork and
mayor Janey with 21.6%. Next is Essaibi Ben Downing, and current state Sen. Sonia bridge improvements.
George with 14.4%, Campbell with 10.8%, Chang-Diaz. The new compromise ignores the need
state Rep. Jon Santiago with 4.6%, and Attorney General Maura Healey has to address climate change, even after
John Barros at 1.8%. been long-rumored as a candidate, and extreme heat decimated utility lines and
The poll also showed that 21.6% of would likely be a Democrat front runner, roadways in the Pacific northwest during
voters are still undecided, while there is but she has yet to officially announce. This the recent heat wave.
about a 4% margin of error, undercutting despite an amassing of about $5 million The first midterm election of a new
any predictability this poll might generate in campaign funds—about six times as presidency often results in a loss for
for September's election. much as what Gov. Charlie Baker has on that president’s party in congressional
Wu and Campbell, who were considered hand. seats. In 2022, 34 seats in the Senate
early frontrunners before Janey The governor, meanwhile, has yet to will be contested. Currently, there are 14
announced her intention to keep her announce if he will seek a third term. Democratic seats to defend, against 20
current job as mayor, have the most cash, Baker came into 2020 with a record- Republican seats—including five that are
with about $1 million each, according to high approval rating for any governor open due to retiring law makers.
data from the Office of Campaign and at the time, despite being a registered In delaying major legislative
Public Finance. Janey still had about a half Republican in a consistently blue state. achievements, Democrats may be waiting
million coming into July. Essaibi George His popularity took a hit due to his COVID for 2022 in the hopes that a blue shift
had $665k, Barros had $319k on hand, response, which was caught between left- will make the work easier. It is a common
Santiago had $410K in the bank. leaning critiques of his not taking severe Democrat strategy; occasionally, it even
At this point, recent City Council enough measures to close down the state works.
MEDIA FARM
STATE
The political theater is brimming with potential plotlines, but which ones are the media pursuing?
“Diehl's first test: Can he force “Kim Janey leads in Boston “Biden’s fake infrastructure
Baker to make a decision earlier mayoral fundraising for June”- ‘compromise’ has thrown
than he wants?” - Boston Globe Boston Herald Democrats into disarray”-
Washington Post
NATIONAL
STREET EDITION 5
NEWS TO US
A TALE OF SIX PUBLIC BATHROOMS IN BOSTON
Boston is a tough place to pee. But we have a map…
BY MAX GRINNELL
Let’s face it—everybody poops. Joe’s American Cafe this is just a modest but well-designed some other public services, this facility has
And everybody pees. The only other time I’ve been to any outdoor public bathroom installed by fallen victim to this global pandemic. But
Whether you are abled, differently part of Joe’s American empire was a time the city of Boston in 2001. I’ve been by it wait—other toilets have reopened, so what
abled, somewhat abled, brown, pinkish, that I wound up sharing nachos with some hundreds of times over the past decade gives?
somewhere in-between-ish, gay, cisish, type of “disruptor” I met via Twitter who and it’s usually offline—which defeats I gave a call to JCDecaux, the company
polyamorish, tallish, stoutish, fitish, wanted to pump me for free information the purpose of having a public bathroom, that manages this loo, and have been told
or whatever, you will need to use the and work. I’m pretty sure he didn’t even wouldn’t you say? [Ed note: Also read our that it has since reopened for business,
bathroom at some point in your life. pick up the tab. article from January about how it’s harder with “pay toilets fully operational” as of
Maybe you’re thinking, Oh, I should Anyway, I walked up to the host stand than ever to find a bathroom in Boston for July 1 and “open seven days a week from 6
probably get up and use the facilities right and as I started my spiel, the hostess said, vulnerable populations that need them am-9 pm.”
now if Max is going to keep on exploring “Let me take you to the bathroom.” She most. As for accessibility, when it’s open, The price will remain 25 cents.
down this path. did and I did what I had to do. Leaning this single-stall unit at Long Wharf is fitted
Parks, beaches, public buildings, and up against the restroom wall to scribble for use with a wheelchair and provides Chart House
other egalitarian spaces are made more a few notes, a man said to me, “Taking privacy while being relatively safe smack I made my way past six or seven tables
egalitarian and open when they have notes on the hand dryer, huh? I do that too in the middle of a major tourist area.] of diners and into the dark interior of this
well-maintained public restrooms. They sometimes.” Heading around to the water-side venerable surf and turf joint. I paused to
are infinitely more important than trendy entrance, I noticed a sign posted next to look at a brunch display, glanced at my
initiatives like “rewilding” initiatives, Long Wharf North Ferry Terminal the unit’s digital display screen: “Due to phone, and as I caught the eye of a waiter
creating Instagrammable backgrounds, Despite this long and grandiose title, COVID 19 this toilet is out of service.” Like balancing a troika of lobster rolls on a
and opening beer gardens. To serving dish, I started my—
bogart the insufferable trending “The bathroom is around the bar
descriptor one might find on and on your right.”
certain socials, bathrooms are Well, that answers that.
infrastructure.
With this in mind, I set out to The New England Aquarium
look at six “public” bathrooms as (or more specifically, the IMAX
offered up by the official Boston Theatre at the New England
Harborwalk map. All of these Aquarium)
commodes are within a 15-minute Don’t you need a ticket to enter
walk of the New England the aquarium?
Aquarium, which struck me as a Of course you do.
good place to begin. With that in mind, I made my
First, a bit of my modus way over to the IMAX Theatre
operandi, or my way of conducting entrance. There’s a sign that
this highly unscientific public reads “TICKET REQUIRED FOR
restroom audit. I decided ENTRY”—OK, sure—still I opened
to specifically appear as if I the door and made my way to
was consulting my phone as the attendant. And for the sixth
I approached the host stand/ time today, I began my recitation.
entrance/public doorway. I would As I approached the end of my
then look up and say, “Hey, I am prepared remarks, the attendant
using this Harborwalk map and it informed me, “Sure, you can use
says you have a public bathroom the bathroom. It’s upstairs via
here. May I use it?” those stairs behind you.”
That’s it—my deep philosophy Clean and commodious this
for going undercover and bathroom is—and by this point, I
appearing as if I was just a babe actually needed to use it.
wandering the waterfront with a
pressing need to pee. Bonus: Does this toilet exist?
There are more public
Long Wharf Marriott bathrooms to talk about—there
This hotel is probably best always are. We’ll get to those
known for hosting a COVID another time.
super-spreader event last year. But first, to complete this
Not its fault, of course, but you adventure, I wanted to know more
know—mistakes were made. When about a particular pay toilet that
I walked in the main entrance, I evaded the Harborwalk map.
immediately noted a freestanding You’ll find it in this area, but on
sign prominently displayed that the front of the stainless steel
gave clear instructions to the doors you will also find a note
bathrooms. You walk past the that reads: NEED A RESTROOM? GO
Starbucks (closed) in the first THROUGH LONG WHARF MARRIOTT
floor lobby, through another set HOTEL (STRAIGHT AHEAD). PUBLIC
of doors, and there it is. There’s RESTROOMS ARE ON THE OTHER
no signage to indicate when the SIDE OF THE HOTEL ON YOUR LEFT.
bathrooms might be closed, but As your guide in these parts, I
overall a job well done. can confirm.
6 DIGBOSTON.COM | 07.15.21 - 07.29.21
EDITORIAL
WELCOME, BOSTAAN!
DigBoston hosts the premiere indy newspaper
convention at a difficult moment for journalism
BY JASON PRAMAS
Publishing an alternative weekly—an often struggle along with meager salaries
independent metropolitan newspaper out of a sense of the importance of the
with a left-leaning editorial policy, Fourth Estate to our failing democracy
crusading investigative reporting, and and our love for serving our audiences
up-to-the-second cultural coverage with cutting-edge journalism. Even as
in the tradition of the now-zombified the advertising that has sustained us (as
Village Voice—in the 21st century can be a I wrote just a couple of weeks back) has
solitary enterprise. So it is a real pleasure
for my partners Chris Faraone and John
dried up for local newspapers—absorbed,
in large part, by digital giants like Google,
Your Trusty
Massachusetts
Loftus and I to have the opportunity to Facebook, and Amazon.
spend three days with over 150 of our Forty-three years ago, people flocked to
peers from around the US and Canada read the latest issue of every alt weekly—
at the annual Association of Alternative
Newsmedia trade convention. And it is
which led public discussion and debate
on every conceivable issue from elections Cannabis Newsletter
a signal honor to be hosting this year’s to nuclear power to the popularity of
iteration of that confab here in Boston. disco. Today most everyone’s attention
Actually, we were supposed to host the is on the latest social media outrage.
event now dubbed BostAAN last year—
which was to be the 42nd anniversary
And fewer and fewer people turn to
newspapers at any level from the once-
subscribe for free at
of the founding 1978 convention of our
trade group. But the pandemic made
mighty dailies to the most humble village
weeklies for the information they need talkingjointsmemo.com
that impossible. So we were gratified to be engaged citizens (or residents), in
when our AAN colleagues decided to keep print or online. Less readers means even
the convention here this year, when it is less advertising for surviving papers; so
once again possible to hold an in-person the downward trend in the economic
don’t let your
gathering in a local hotel. model that once drove alt weeklies from
And what changes the last four success to success is easy for all to see.
decades have wrought. Forty-three years Meanwhile, the US in general and cities
ago there were hundreds of alt weeklies. like Boston in particular have become
community
Today there are fewer than 100. In fact, the scene of economic devastation for
several of our sibling newspapers went everyone but the rich and upper echelons
under during the first phase of the of the professional managerial class
become a
coronavirus due to both the
crisis. With most pandemic and
of the surviving forty plus years
papers remaining of rapacious,
news
on the edge of neoliberal
financial ruin for capitalism. So the
the foreseeable need for more and
future. Readers larger independent
desert
that have been news outlets to
following offer a strong
Dig editorials alternative to
will note that we almost went under the corporate-dominated information
ourselves when all our advertising sphere that has replaced journalism with
evaporated within a week of the World marketing copy and critical thinking with
Health Organization declaration of a propaganda has never been greater.
pandemic on March 8, 2020. But we Yet, as we make the final preparations
BOSTON INSTITUTE FOR
were saved by generous supporters and, to gather here in the Hub with our
ironically, Papa Trump’s Small Business colleagues, we very much look forward
Administration. to discussing the many challenges
Forty-three years ago, a few young facing our corner of the news industry
journalists and a couple of business and to working together to rebuild our
heads could launch an alt weekly enterprises back to their former strength
newspaper in their city in a matter of and relevance in the years to come.
weeks. And pulling in advertising revenue We are therefore thrilled to welcome
was like shooting fish in a barrel from sea the 43rd Association of Alternative
DONATE TO BINJ AND HELP
to shining sea. Within a couple of years, Newsmedia convention to Boston, IN THE FIGHT TO KEEP NEWS
such a paper could easily have a dozen Massachusetts. And to plan the future of LOCAL AND KEEP LOCALS NONPROFIT JOURNALISM
full-time staffers with decent benefits independent journalism in the service of
and a circulation approaching 100,000. democracy … together.
INFORMED
Today, most people that work for alt
GIVETOBINJ.ORG | BINJONLINE.ORG
weeklies are freelancers and contractors. Jason Pramas is executive editor and
While owners like my partners and I associate publisher of DigBoston.
STREET EDITION 7
SPECIAL FEATURE
PHOTOS BY NATE LAMPKIN
SHIMMY VS. SWAMPSCOTT
A Black Lives Matter activist was targeted by local law enforcement.
Without national attention on the case, authorities are playing by their own rules
BY SOPHIE YARIN
On any given weekend in the waterfront But since Dec 12, and the fallout around Shimmy’s rhetoric is unequivocally anti- remains Ploss’ central rallying point, locally
enclave of Swampscott, you can see the gamut Shimmy’s arrest specifically, it’s been hard establishment. Talking about police brutality, Ploss is probably best known for helping
of the American political spectrum on display. to ignore the uglier, deeper truths that have one of FFC’s primary issues, he makes no effort organize the protests against Republican Gov.
For more than a year, throngs of played out publicly, right in the center of a to hide his anger and frustration. FFC does not Charlie Baker in Swampscott. She first arrived
fringe right-wingers, people for whom quiet bedroom community. align itself with the Democratic Party, nor do in town last April, and was immediately
Republicanism is a secondary concern to I became aware of Shimmy’s effect on local they collaborate with pols at any level. Antifa fortunate enough to have town leaders
an allegiance to former President Donald leftist politics soon after his arrest. According flags have flown at their events. reluctantly sanction her right to assembly—
Trump, have gathered in the North Shore to his fellow organizers, he has been an Shimmy’s is a radical bunch to be sure, but in spite of a state-mandated COVID-19
suburb. The group is consistently white and electrifying force, and people familiar with the in practice they are hardly seditious. They run lockdown. In time, it became clear that the
middle aged, and their appearance in town events that unfolded expected his case to be a number of community initiatives ranging aversions of some elected officials did not
is the result of the organizing efforts of one dismissed. They were wrong. from mutual aid drives to counterprotests to exactly represent those of their constituents,
Dianna Ploss, an ex-radio host-turned-local While his arrest is squarely in line with citywide marches and bike rides. The ethos of as many residents have welcomed Ploss and
conservative figurehead. The crowd gathers on the narrative of Black people being profiled FFC, Jean-Jacques explains, is to “stand against her rallies with open arms and symphonies of
Saturdays—10, 20 of them in some weeks—at by police, few news outlets have covered social injustices and all forms of oppression.” supporting honks.
the spot where Humphrey Street intersects Shimmy’s case closely. With his trial set to
Monument Ave, perhaps the most visible begin on Aug 18 in Lynn District Court, this THE INSTIGATOR THE ACCUSER
place in town and a short walk to the home of deeper look at the situation is an attempt Dianna Ploss made international headlines Linda Greenberg is a regular attendee at
Gov. Charlie Baker. to pay it the attention it deserves. I have in July of 2020 when she was fired from right-wing Swampscott rallies and has been
On Sundays, the radical end of the left learned a lot in researching over the past talk radio station WSMN in New Hampshire featured on Ploss’ local live streams on more
wing rallies just down the road, in front of the several months, but the bare facts of the case over an incident occurring in Nashua. A than one occasion.
Swampscott police station. While the crowd are the same as when I first heard about it livestreamed video—that she herself sent One stream, from last November, focuses
fluctuates in size, there are usually at least 10 last December: he stands accused of assault, to TMZ—showed the radio host happening on Greenberg, who explains to the camera: “I
protesters—tattooed, pierced, multiracial city despite video evidence of the incident that upon a crew of landscapers speaking wasn’t here (at the rallies) at the beginning.
kids—often wearing all black and carrying appears to exonerate him; he was arrested Spanish, whom she immediately demanded My mailman told me. He says, ‘How come
Black Lives Matter signs. This crew began to without statements taken or rights read; speak to each other in English. WSMN and you’re not at the rallies?’ … I said, ‘I had no
gather as a direct response to the presence and an assistant district attorney’s behavior its broadcaster, Bartis-Russell, severed ties idea.’ So I went, and the first thing I said was,
of Ploss and her affiliates, but that was then. regarding the case has been questionable. the following Sunday, but soon enough ‘Can I join you?’”
In more recent months, a predominantly their former employee found new ways to “Well, duh,” Ploss responds, with one arm
local faction has splintered off, turning THE ACCUSED broadcast her message. slung around the older lady’s shoulders.
their attention toward the town’s police Over the summer of 2020, as rallies for Since her dismissal, Ploss, a Dedham native, According to Steve Krause, a veteran writer
department ever since a community organizer racial justice proliferated across the country, has redoubled her efforts as a right-wing at the Daily Item in Lynn and lifetime North
from Boston, Ernst Jean-Jacques Jr. (known by Ernst Jean-Jacques made appearance after spokeswoman, organizing pro-Trump rallies Shore resident, the Greenbergs have resided
friends as “Shimmy”), was arrested at a Ploss appearance as an organizer for a leftist group throughout New England. She streams via near Phillips Park in Swampscott for nearly
rally on Dec 12, 2020. called Freedom Fighters Coalition (FFC). His her own website and YouTube channel, and 50 years. [Ed. note: The author of this article
There’s a chasm between the two groups’ lanky frame and long Senegalese twists, in casts live from her events, which makes it is currently employed by the Daily Item as an
ideologies, and denizens of the wealthy addition to a propensity to wear all black and convenient for allies and detractors alike to editor, but she has reported this story for BINJ
surrounding community of Swampscott carry a megaphone, made him easy to spot track her. as an independent journalist.]
make up the rest of the political spectrum, in press photos and on social media. As FFC’s Among the self-proclaimed former Obama The Greenberg family has been known
the shades of gray. This is a place where unofficial mouthpiece, the duty of addressing Democrat’s views: The COVID-19 virus is a for their traditional conservative views; her
town elections are predictable, and there is large crowds was often left to him. For these hoax, the Democrats stole the 2020 election, relatives are members of the Republican party,
peace and harmony on the surface, at least; reasons, the Penn State graduate has been and many state governments—including and some accompany their mother to Ploss’
recently, the town held a well-attended, public viewed as something of a poster child for Massachusetts’—are in league with the events.
Juneteenth ceremony with speeches calling Boston’s young left wing. Chinese Communist Party. Based on Ploss’ live streams, she and
for an end to systemic racism. At demonstrations, the 32-year-old While the scourge of liberalism at large Greenberg have an affectionate relationship,
8 DIGBOSTON.COM | 07.15.21 - 07.29.21
with the former calling the latter by the
Yiddish endearment bubbe. In one exchange,
the Swampscott local calls Ploss the “mayor
of MAGA-chusetts.”
THE LAW
The town of Swampscott, with a population
of 15,000 and a median household income of
over $100,000 per year, is home to a falling
crime rate and an appropriately small police
department. Swampscott officers typically
respond to fewer than 10 violent crimes per
year.
Policing is a community affair, with at
least two well-known families in town
sending their sons to the force: the Cassidys
and the Reens.
“Chances are, if there’s any kind of police
activity going on [in Swampscott], at least
one Reen is going to be involved,” Krause
explains.
Up until December, Swampscott natives
Brendan and Kevin Reen were best known
for their shared affinity for physical fitness.
PHOTO BY NATE LAMPKIN
Kevin joined the police department 12 years
ago and is a trainer on the side. His brother
Brendan preceded him on the force, joining
in 2006. This past year he was promoted to
field training officer.
It remains unclear why Brendan Reen was
watching Dianna Ploss’ live stream in the Shimmy, perhaps sensing danger, makes in our faces.” “And he was the only person arrested.”
police station on Dec 12, or what possessed a speedy exit to the right. That’s where the “This was definitely a more aggressive
him to leave his post and visit the rally. action ends, and the consequences begin. action than in previous weeks,” Sergeant Jay THE FALLOUT
The Swampscott Police Department has Officer Brendan Reen had been assigned Locke told the Daily Item. “It felt like it was According to FFC organizers on scene, Reen
declined multiple attempts to reach it for to desk duty at the Swampscott Police going to be violent at any moment.” arrived at King’s Beach approximately
comment. Station, where he says he was watching Ploss’ The summer of 2020 saw a vast divide five minutes after the incident with
live stream of the event. According to the in how Americans see protest: While many Greenberg. Shimmy was perched on a
THE FOOTAGE police report, Reen saw footage of a young citizens supported the Black Lives Matter railing overlooking the shore, surrounded
Most FFC organizers were looking away Black man punch Greenberg in the chest movement and its mobilizing efforts by a clutch of activists and officers. Reen
when it happened; none could say for sure with a closed fist at around 11 am. The report throughout the country, huge swaths of approached the group and, without
who did what. Two videos—one shot from alleges he alerted his shift leader that he was the US population were quick to equate preamble, informed Jean-Jacques that he
behind the Trump supporters, another facing leaving his post. Then he exited the station protest to violence, uprising to looting. This was being investigated for assault and
them—are all that remain of a seconds-long in an unmarked car and headed for King’s mentality was demonstrably shared by a battery.
exchange between Greenberg and Shimmy. Beach. number of police departments, as arrest From behind a phone camera, Nour
The video shot from behind shows numbers nationwide reached around 10,000 demanded to know Reen’s badge number.
Shimmy dancing directly across from Ploss THE RALLY by last June 4—mainly for crimes related to When her camera turned back to Shimmy, he
and Greenberg, separated by a waist-high It didn’t take experts to determine trouble breaking curfew or failure to disperse. was being put into handcuffs. As an officer
police barricade. Greenberg retreats, then on the horizon; even though Ploss’ crew and However scandalous at the time, arrests clicked a metal cuff around his right wrist, he
comes back with something in her hand. A Shimmy’s had run-ins in the past, something made at demonstrations in the summer of asked, “I’m being arrested?”
splash of water, coming from Greenberg’s about that day felt different. 2020 have followed a pattern experts say Activists shouted in protest, but Reen’s
direction, hits Shimmy in the chest. Dec 12, 2020, was a Saturday, and the rally has been in place for decades: Namely, police voice cut through the commotion: “What I
“The optics are really sort of unmistakable was on a stretch of Route 129 that buffers disproportionately arrest Black individuals. heard was that you hit a woman.”
in terms of the white individual using water the town of Swampscott from the Atlantic Last June, a Chicago Reader analysis of its “You can’t just hear something. You have
to diminish the dignity of Black people,” Ocean. Ploss and her crew stood on the city’s police data showed that, of 2,172 arrests to see it,” Nour responded. “How are you
explains Jean-Jacques’ lawyer, Murat Erkan. shoulder of Humphrey Street facing King’s made at recent Chicago protests, 71% were of going to do your job and say, I didn’t see it?”
“This is an image that appears time and time Beach, a couple of hundred yards away from Black people. It also presented separate data Two officers led Shimmy up Monument
again in our nation’s narrative.” the Lynn town line. proving the majority of arrests over two days Avenue toward a squad car, the exchange
An outsized reaction can then be heard Roughly 15 locals, most in Donald Trump were for “peaceful protest actions rather lasting less than a minute. No rights were
from the Trump supporters; a few gasp campaign apparel, waved DON’T TREAD ON than property damage, ‘looting,’ or assaults read, no statements taken.
and shout, as if a violent incident has just ME flags and signs, including one that read on police officers.” Around the same time as Jean-Jacques’
occurred. This video, the one from behind, DEMOCRATS ARE TRAITORS. Inside a row of Courthouse News also reported that Black arrest, Detective Rose Cheever arrived at the
however, doesn’t clearly show what caused metal police barricades, they passed around individuals made up 11% of those arrested in barricade to take Greenberg’s statement.
the horrified reaction. The second clip does. cigars and snacks. Portland on May 29, 2020, “almost double the Another camera-toting FFC activist caught
In the latter video, the one facing the At around 10:30 am, FFC organizers Ernst rate of Portland’s Black population.” Greenberg admitting to “getting water on”
horde, Shimmy is in full view as he faces the Jean-Jacques, Hibah Nour, and Mia Paré A 2011 study in the American Sociological Shimmy.
Trump supporters. Water droplets spray in arrived in Swampscott by car. Upon reaching Review looked at similar data over a long “He was gyrating in front of me, and I got
his direction. He looks at the camera with Monument Square, they noticed that the period of time. After examining more than mad,” she says.
clenched fists. He moves toward Greenberg, Swampscott Police had set up the scene 15,000 protests over 30 years, their findings The activist chimes in, saying this meant
who is shielded from view by another so that the opposing groups were directly were definitive: Black people are more likely Greenberg assaulted him first.
woman. facing each other, like dogs in cages. to “draw police presence” at demonstrations, “Why don’t you fuck off,” Greenberg
Shimmy’s fist opens up to a flat palm. According to many who were there on while “police are more likely to take action” replies, swiping at the camera.
He swipes his hand downward, in the Dec 12, the demonstration was a particularly in their presence. The authors coined the Cheever says something about finishing
direction where the water came from. The tense one. phrase about the phenomenon, “Protesting the interview later, and heads toward the
top of Greenberg’s curly gray head can be “It was one of the most vile protests I’ve while Black.” street.
seen as she stumbles back a few paces and ever been to,” Nour recalled. “None of the The day after Shimmy’s arrest, Nour and “And then he punched me,” Greenberg
is immediately enveloped into a crowd of [Trump supporters] had masks on, and they Shimmy joked that the latter “was the only says.
Trump supporters. were smoking soggy, damp, old, rotten cigars Black man in Swampscott that day. In the police report, Reen mentions
STREET EDITION 9
speaking to Greenberg’s daughters over the dismissing it.” near-hundred people attending the virtual “Life has been pretty shitty since the
phone. The women claimed their mother A decision came at 1:30 in the afternoon: session, was simply “drop the charges.” incident,” Jean-Jacques says. “The same media
had a condition known as essential tremors Shimmy was to pay $550 in bail and have no outlets who followed me from protest to
disorder, which “causes their mother to have contact with Greenberg. He was charged with THE FUTURE protest all summer have basically vanished
tremors uncontrollably that are exacerbated assault and battery of a person over 60—a Like the residents themselves, Swampscott’s since my unjust arrest.”
under stressful conditions.” This, they said, felony in Massachusetts—and was ordered to leadership has been divided on the Dec 12 Jean-Jacques was let go from his position
was the real reason Greenberg got water on return to the courthouse on Feb 24 for his first incident. A letter demanding the DA drop at the senior facility and reported that he and
Shimmy. pretrial hearing. As a result of a local initiative its charges was released on Jan 22 on Select his father, who shares his name, have been
The activist follows Cheever to the edge of in support of Shimmy, the public was invited Board letterhead, but was signed by only two receiving frequent death threats. In spite of
the sidewalk. The detective spins around to to sit in on his Zoom court sessions. out of five members. this, Jean-Jacques’ schedule is as full as it ever
face her. For the first few minutes of the February On March 24, an internal investigative was. According to various Instagram accounts
“You’re videotaping me when a victim hearing, the virtual gallery was a chorus of report made by an outside agency was belonging to him and to FFC, the organization
is talking to me in private,” Cheever shouts support for the defendant. Many left a hint of released to the town of Swampscott, which remains busy with drives, marches, and
at the activist. “I’ll get her statement when their identity in their messages: “Teachers for appraised the actions of Jean-Jacques’ counterprotests—many in support of
you’re not videotaping me.” Shimmy!” “LGBTQ+ for Shimmy.” “Parents AND arresting officers. Palestine—and Jean-Jacques remains at the
With the detective gone across the kids for Shimmy!” The report pointed to multiple violations helm.
street, the activist turns her camera back In contrast, Jean-Jacques appeared taciturn of conduct among the officers present on “Ernst has shown tremendous courage,”
on Greenberg, who appears to have been throughout the hearing. His webcam showed Dec 12—none of whom were named—but Murat Erkan says. “When the rubber meets
watching her. him with brows knit, his mouth hidden ultimately concluded that the arrest was the road and it’s your freedom on the line,
“You’re not America,” Greenberg calls out behind his hand. made with probable cause, and the issue now your own rhetoric might not reflect what you
to the young woman. “You’re not America!” Dianna Ploss logged on and made a fell within the jurisdiction of the court. have the courage to do. Ernst is deciding to
few incendiary remarks about Chinese The report’s release marked the end of put his own freedom at risk in order to fight
THE TRIAL communism, but was quickly drowned out by Swampscott’s influence over Jean-Jacques’ for what’s right.”
Ernst Jean-Jacques was arraigned on Dec 14 Shimmy’s supporters. case, and his fate. Since late March, the town On social media, Jean-Jacques is adamant
in Lynn District Court, with Judge Matthew The rest of the hearing progressed as if a has been resigned to biting its nails while a regarding Greenberg and the Swampscott
Nestor presiding. Attorney Murat Erkan later courtroom drama were broadcast via Twitch culture war continues its weekly battle on Police Department’s complicity in framing
noted that Essex County Assistant District stream. In the chat, the gallery reacted in real Humphrey Street. him for violent assault, mentioning in a June
Attorney Danielle Doherty-Wirwicz “assumed time to motions from the counselors and The majority of FFC’s demonstrations 1 Instagram post, “They are gonna drag this
the role of advocate (for Greenberg) their responses from the judge. Eventually, around Shimmy’s trial have moved to case out until I’m either homeless or insane.”
and rejected the role of truth finder,” by upcoming court dates were scheduled, and Mondays in front of the Lynn District Court Yet never does he speculate on how his
immediately asking the court to determine Judge Nestor was on to his next hearing of on Essex Street, while Ploss’ group has moved trial will proceed, or what life will be like
Jean-Jacques a “danger to society.” the day. its activities to Thursdays in Swampscott. afterward. It is in these moments that the
According to Nate Lamkin, an FFC organizer Perhaps nobody expected it to end so soon. Ploss, who in October of 2020 was arrested for crusading rebel from the summer of 2020
who witnessed the five-hour arraignment, Onlookers lingered in the Zoom chat for many punching a woman at one of her own rallies becomes the stoic, silent young man from the
Doherty-Wirwicz was also reluctant to watch minutes, writing messages of support to in Plymouth, has public events planned well Zoom hearings.
video evidence presented by Erkan. Shimmy, lambasting Nestor and Ploss, calling into August. “We’ll see,” he says, when asked about the
“It took literal hours for Shimmy’s lawyer out to each other and no one in particular. As for Jean-Jacques, few of his activities, verdict. “Anything is possible.”
to successfully convince the prosecution to Beyond angered, hopeful, or scared, most as an FFC organizer or a criminal defendant,
just watch the videos,” he says. “He thought were simply incredulous that the case was have broken into the larger local mediascape; This article was produced in collabora-
that if they watched the videos they would actually progressing. The most-repeated most outlets have remained mum on the tion with the Boston Institute for Nonprofit
realize they don’t have a case and join him in demand, posted over and over again by the story as of this writing. Journalism.
PHOTO BY LITA XÚ LÍNG KELLEY
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STREET EDITION 11FRI 7.16 for food assistance more widespread and party vibe featuring standout DJs and pro- A Lantern Experience
bar fly critical than ever. Featuring a traffic light ducers from across the burgeoning American “Back by popular demand, Boston Lights,
Bars over Bars Hip Hop Showcase made of healthy fruits and vegetables, the scene. The mighty UNTER party pushes the presented by National Grid, will once
Boston’s always been a hip-hop hotbed, Stop Hunger Now charity license plate is harder edges of techno and is one of New again illuminate Franklin Park Zoo with
and with talent breaking internationally at the first-ever Massachusetts specialty plate York's most essential underground events.” all new lanterns, lights and memories to
levels previously unreached, it’s as exciting that supports ending hunger in the state. [The Lower Level, 55 Bishop Allen last a lifetime! Experience the wonder of
a time as ever to see who may be next on By purchasing a plate, you are helping BMC Drive, Cambridge. $15-$25/9pm. over 60 magnificent displays comprised of
the big stage. “Bars Over Bars is a New and GBFB tackle food insecurity through facebook.com/LowerLevel55] hundreds of beautifully crafted lanterns
England hip hop Media company focused on programs that increase access to affordable, spanning Franklin Park Zoo's 72 acres. We
throwing shows 100% free for the artist,” nutritious food. Speak with a representative TUE 7.20 invite you to walk (socially distanced, of
and their shows are where you will hear the at our Stop Hunger Now events on July 17 new brewtine course) through glowing corridors of lotus
top up-and-comers from the region. It’s also and August 21.” Artisanal Comedy and sunflowers, cranes and cherry blossoms,
noteworthy that this event goes down at [Lawn on D, 420 D St., South Boston. “Please join us in welcoming back Bethany and a towering 87-foot-long Tyrannosaurus
the Jungle, which you can now add to the 2:30-5:30pm. stophungerma.org] Van Delft and her Artisanal Comedy show Rex tunnel! Luminous animal and ocean
short list of venues willing to host hip-hop here at Dorchester Brewing! This show will scenes, traditional Asian lantern displays, a
around here. SAT 7.17 be located inside our second floor Hopser- stunning 164-foot-long phoenix, and more
[The Jungle, 6 Sanborn Ct., Somer- welcome backbone vatory. Ticket holders will be given general will light up the night sky, dazzling guests
ville. 8pm/$6. facebook.com/bar- Vertebrae: Volvox + Katie Rex + BR-1 admission access to the Hopservatory. All of all ages!”
soverbarsmedia] “A dominant force on the Brooklyn under- seating is first come, first served. Additional [Franklin Park Zoo, Boston.
ground scene, Ariana (Volvox) is known for tickets will not be available at the door. Pro- Through Oct. 11. prices vary. zoone-
SAT 7.17 tough, stripped-back techno and groovy, ac- ceeds from ticket sales will be given directly wengland.org/bostonlights]
license plates id-flavored sets. She has been a busy DJ and to the comedians.” Also on tap: DBC’s 5th
Stop Hunger Now: Drive Change event producer since 2006 and in that time Year Anniversay Bash on Sat., July 24 start- FRI 7.23
“In partnership with Citizens, the Stop has shared the decks with many interna- ing at 11:30am. skaterade
Hunger Now license plate will benefit Bos- tional stars including The Blessed Madonna, [Dorchester Brewing Company & This is How We ROLL!
ton Medical Center (BMC) and the Greater Marcel Dettmann, Ellen Allien, DVS1, The M&M BBQ, 1250 Mass Ave., Boston. “Join Swerve and Laraland Roller Disco for a
Boston Food Bank (GBFB) to provide es- Hacker, Legowelt and Mike Servito. Based 7pm/$6/21+. exploretock.com/ magical evening of skating under the stars
sential support to families struggling with in NYC since 2011, she holds two monthly dorchesterbrewingcompany] at Starlight. Come down and experience the
hunger. Thousands of our neighbors across residencies: JACK DEPT. NYC at Bossa Nova unity and love of our local skate community
Massachusetts are food insecure, and the Civic Club is a top event of the notorious FRI 7.23 while roll bouncing to the city’s hottest DJs
COVID-19 pandemic has made the need hotspot that's focused on an acidic house lights on Mo, Nomadik, and Manny Reese! Feel the
12 DIGBOSTON.COM | 07.15.21 - 07.29.21PHOTO BY HONGYU LIU
IT'S NO ESPLANADE BUT IT IS NICE
TO NOT WAIT IN LONG LINES TO PEE
vibes and energy that has everyone lac- an interview that you can read at digbos-
ing up their skates for some FUN! SKATE ton.com, her latest venue is a “post-
AT YOUR OWN RISK and bring your own pandemic outdoor club in conjunction
skates. SORRY NO RENTALS… FEEL FREE with Boytnon Yards in Somerville.” The
TO JUST COME AND DANCE!” developer, which is also the underwriter
[Starlight Square, Bishop Allen for the Fluff Festival and Union Square
Drive, Cambridge. 6-9pm. star- Farmers Market, is collaborating with
lightsquare.org] Gonson and her team to create a venue
to hold 20 outdoor shows, starting this
SAT 7.24 weekend and running through September,
salt life in front of the redeveloped life sciences
Boston Margarita & Mimosa Fest building on South Street. “I am feeling
“7 Bars & Restaurants will participate really scared … butterflies and joy and
in this summer cocktail celebration to excitement and it is intense,” Gonson
support the Boston bar & restaurant said. “We have six months of work to do
district! Featuring $4 beer, $4 mimosa & in six days. It feels like a reality tv show
$5 margarita specials for wristband wear- … but I have this amazing team and we
ing participants only! Social distancing & have a sound company doing this whole
masks may be required to comply with thing and they are coming and going
safety guidelines. Tickets are limited due every night.” This summer’s billing is a
to safety provisions.” reimagination of a year without music
[The Greatest Bar, 262 Friend St., and boasts mostly local artists such as
Boston. 2-8pm/21+/$22.99-$27.99. Julie Rhodes, Walter Sickert and the Army
bosmargaritafest.eventbrite.com] of Broken Toys, and No Small Children.
In the hallmark ONCE style, it is also a
clever and creative schedule that includes
ONGOING
several theme nights, family matinees,
once again and a one-day music festival.
ONCE x Boynton Yards [Boynton Yards, 101 South St.,
As JJ Gonson, the proprietor and experi-
Somerville. various dates and
ence orchestrator at ONCE Ballroom
explained to Dig writer Amie O’Hearn in
times. oncesomerville.com]
STREET EDITION 13CULTURE FEATURE
PHOTOS BY HEATHER KAPPLOW
WOKE IN PROGRESS V: IMAGINING SOMETHING ELSE
Artists who signed the ‘Boston Arts for Black Lives’ letter last year weigh in on
what’s changed—and what hasn’t—in the regional arts scene since then
BY HEATHER KAPPLOW
This is piece number five in a long, leisurely cultural institutions—it made demands for Boston’s BIPOC community and/or those that wariness of the risk of performativity standing
Dig Boston series examining the impact on very specific things like divestments; equity are differently-abled. in for action.
Boston’s arts community of a June 2020 “open audits of human resources practices; term Most respondents said they originally “This kind of public acknowledgement, and
letter” circulated by a group identifying as limits on board members, directors and senior learned about the letter from social media or a collective consensus is the first step in making
“Boston Arts for Black Lives.” The letter and the staff; and centering of community voices/ friend/colleague, and several didn’t remember structural changes. Public announcements,
group’s website have since been taken down decentering of institutional ones. Still, over how they’d heard about it. at the very least, create witnesses. My first
from the internet, but an archived copy can 200 people who identified themselves as When asked why they signed the letter, thought was: It will take time. A long time
be accessed here. The significance of the letter either “artist” or something like “painter” or despite not being in a position to meet probably, but hopefully not too long, and
beyond the extremely specific commitments “musician”, signed the letter. Many of Boston’s many of its demands, almost everyone who it will be ongoing. And much of it will not
it asked its signers to advocate for, is that educators, arts administrators, programming responded to the survey gave an answer that be visible for a while if all goes well, in my
it was signed by hundreds of employees of staff etc. are also artists and identified had to do with a deep desire for change either opinion. The emphasis of visibility as proof of
Boston-area arts institutions, arts educators, themselves in both ways when signing the in “the world”, or in Boston, and expressed work can in fact mask the bigger problems
community organizations, city officials, and letter. But this article focuses on those who support for and solidarity with the very that need to be addressed.”
individual artists (including myself). signed with no affiliation listed beyond their specific demands the letter was making of But others harbored profound cynicism.
The goal of this series was to get a baseline individual or collective creative practices. Boston’s art and cultural institutions. Some One artist summed up the kind of concerns
sense of where those who signed the letter At the one-year anniversary of the letter’s also expressed a more general sentiment that many expressed as follows:
were starting from in terms of the kind of release, I crafted a 10-question survey that along the lines of allyship. In several cases “Honestly, I didn't think it would contribute
reckoning and reconciliation work the letter artists could answer anonymously, asking people described having already been to any systemic change. These museums and
called for. The hope was to create a collective how people had found out about the letter, involved in activism around specific demands academic institutions are old, and they are
snapshot of the arts community that the why they signed it, about their expectations mentioned in the letter, or signing because funded by old money. The legacy foundations
whole city could look back on in 2021, from when signing it, and about what they’d felt the letter brought multiple requests they’d themselves are beholden to complicated social
(ideally) a different place in terms of equity had changed in Boston or within their own been involved in advocacy about under one and family politics. In addition, these public
and inclusion. And so here we are, in 2021. practices since its circulation exactly a year umbrella. Others knew and wanted to lend entities are part of a complex ecosystem
The very fact that the letter and Boston Arts before. I went through the signatories to the support to the letter’s authors. In a few cases with deep ties to white supremacy and the
for Black Lives disappeared from the internet letter and did my best to track down or guess people admitted to signing because they saw capitalist machine. Most successful visual
before even a full year had passed says a lot of at the email addresses of the first 140 artists that peers whose opinions they valued had artists themselves are tethered to these same
what there is to be said here—not necessarily that had signed it. (A thrilling research project signed it before them. And some respondents systems. I'm not sure if institutions can be
about the group behind the letter, but about because it was a reminder of how many identifying as BIPOC or differently-abled truly dismantled from the inside, if we are
a community that hasn’t been looking for amazing artists work in Boston!) described signing specifically to show their brave enough to bring around real change.”
it. Can you hold yourself accountable if you A handful of artists told me they were not support for one another at a difficult time, or When asked what kind of changes they’d
aren’t looking at your to-do list? Maybe the do going to have time to respond to the survey as a symbol of commitment to themselves: witnessed at the individual institutional level
list has been internalized? within the week allotted. (Here is the survey a public statement of their unwillingness or across the city’s broader arts culture during
In the final piece of this series, I’ll circle back if anyone reading this who signed the letter to tolerate bias, oppression, inequity and the year following the letter’s circulation,
to everyone I spoke with in earlier columns wants to answer the questions for themselves, other painful conditions of engagement with the answers showed a similar pattern of
to see what they feel has and hasn’t changed now or later.) And many didn’t respond at all. Boston’s art institutions. being divided between feeling some real, if
since 2020. But for this installment, the focus Of the artists who responded to some or When asked about their expectations— incremental shift might be in progress, to
is on the many artists who signed the letter. all the survey’s questions, a very neat 50% of what they thought would happen as a result feeling pretty hopeless.
The letter’s call for change was addressed them identified as falling into one of the two of the letter’s circulation—most artists Those who thought change was definitively
to those holding power within the region’s groups the letter specifically advocates for: demonstrated cautious optimism plus some in the works described it as happening
14 DIGBOSTON.COM | 07.15.21 - 07.29.21You can also read
