POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Thousands march for FLOYD in BOSTON — ’Wounds that I’ll never lose’ — Clark U splits with WORCESTER police

By Stephanie Murray Presented by Biogen and Lemelson- MIT GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. PROTESTERS MARCH IN BOSTON, BROCKTON — A large, peaceful protest against police brutality and racism lasted for hours without conflict in Boston last night, while tensions boiled over between police and a small group of protesters in Brockton. The Boston protest organized by Black Lives Matter Boston and Violence in Boston Inc. was emotional but peaceful throughout the evening. Only two people were arrested, far fewer than the 53 arrested on Sunday. Protesters have taken to the streets in well over 100 cities to speak out against the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. It was in Brockton where a more tense demonstration played out after a large, peaceful protest in that city, although it was a much smaller than the chaos in Boston on Sunday night. A small group of demonstrators threw fireworks at police, and the officers used tear gas to disperse the crowd, according to Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan. Some Brockton businesses were damaged. "We cannot let a few violent acts overshadow the powerful message of peace," Sullivan said. Speaking with a local television station as the protest played out, Michael Curry, the former president of the Boston branch of the NAACP, urged young protesters to express their anger with words, and police to show empathy. Curry pointed to a history of protest in the United States dating back to the American Revolution. "We look back in history and celebrate their insurrection, their protest. And the reality is they're not pretty, they don't look good, people get hurt. But if we don't get the underlying message, if we don't get what prompted people to be disruptive … We get this kind of violence. I'm not saying it's good, that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying it's history," Curry said. "And I'm hoping that this is the key moment, the breaking point, that we start paying attention to these young people." FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: KENNEDY ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN HIRES — Rep. Joe Kennedy III is adding a couple of new faces to the staff of his Democratic primary campaign against Sen. Ed Markey. Kennedy named Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins as a senior adviser, and Tompkins will focus on racial and economic inequality and criminal justice reform. Tompkins, who endorsed Kennedy in October, will also assist across the campaign's political operation. Ramon Soto is gaining a new title on the campaign: statewide Latinx director. Soto is shifting from his past role as Kennedy's Boston director. And filling that position is Anthony Davis, who will serve as the campaign's new Boston director. Davis previously worked on the campaigns of Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Ayanna Pressley. REPUBLICANS LOSE HOUSE SEAT — Republicans lost another seat on Beacon Hill last night. In a special legislative election to replace the Republican Taunton Mayor Shaunna O'Connell in the House, Democrat Carol Doherty bested Republican Kelly Dooner. Dooner's loss comes weeks after the state Republican Party lost two state Senate seats in a special election last month. Republicans were also unable to flip the Democratic-controlled seat on the ballot last night. In the race to replace former Rep. Jennifer Benson, Democrat Danillo Sena beat Republican Catherine Clark. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker joins a virtual coffee event hosted by Operation ABLE. Rep. Jim McGovern joins a webinar hosted by the Environmental League of Massachusetts with state Rep. Tom Golden and Quincy City Councilor Nina Liang. Sen. Ed Markey and Ron Klain, Ebola response coordinator under President Barack Obama, host a livestream.   A message from Biogen and Lemelson- MIT: The current health crisis reinforces the need to find solutions today and stay ahead of other threats tomorrow. Inspiring the next generation of science leaders to drive innovation is why Biogen and MIT teamed up to bring Virtual Science Learning Lab to students. biogen.com/communitylab.     HAPPENING TODAY AT 4 p.m. EDT – WOMEN AND COVID-19, SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS IN CRISIS. The social and economic burden from the pandemic has hit women especially hard. Join Women Rule editorial director Anna Palmer for a virtual interview with Teresa Carlson, vice president of Worldwide Public Sector, Amazon Web Services, who will describe how businesses are rapidly pivoting online for survival, how the public sector is adapting to the crisis, and what AWS is doing to help other organizations on the frontlines of Covid-19. REGISTER HERE.     THE LATEST NUMBERS – “Coronavirus deaths in Massachusetts increase by 50, more than 300 new cases,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “Massachusetts health officials on Tuesday reported that 50 more people have died from the coronavirus as the number of cases increased by 358. Coronavirus hospitalizations went down by 90 patients, continuing a recent trend that brings the state’s COVID-19 hospitalization total to 1,657. Overall, the statewide hospitalization total has declined by 1,905 since May 5. The 50 new deaths bring the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 7,085, the state Department of Public Health announced.” DATELINE BEACON HILL – “'I have wounds that I’ll never lose.’ The state’s top political leaders of color press for change across all levels of government,” by Matt Stout and Dasia Moore, Boston Globe: “Mobilized by the social unrest gripping the country, the state’s top political leaders of color gathered Tuesday to urge action across all levels of government, their words underwritten by a docket of resolutions, policies, and legislation they say are designed to transmute anger into change, increasing police accountability and chipping away at structural racism.” – RELATED: “Minority leaders put legislative agenda behind thoughts and prayers,” by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: “One proposal would require police officers across the state to wear body cameras. Another would create independent boards to review police conduct in each community. And another would revoke certifications for police officers who are removed from their positions for wrongdoing, to prevent them from joining a department somewhere else.” – “Healey: ‘America is burning. But that’s how forests grow,’” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Attorney General Maura Healey, in a passionate speech on Tuesday, suggested the protests sweeping the nation may yield long-term benefits. ‘Yes, America is burning. But that’s how forests grow,’ she said. As violent protests rile the country and Boston over the killing of George Floyd, Healey delivered a half-hour speech about race via Zoom to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.” – “With plans to reopen their offices, EPA workers fear they’re being used as political pawns,” by David Abel, Boston Globe: “During a conference call last week with hundreds of employees throughout New England, the regional administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency said it would be a long time before the agency reopened its large headquarters in downtown Boston and other offices, according to several employees on the call. The next day, Dennis Deziel, the administrator, told the staff by e-mail that the EPA would begin the reopening process this week, even as Massachusetts continues to report hundreds of new coronavirus cases every day.” – “Mass. House Panel Strips Postage Costs From Mail-In Bill,” by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: “A House committee has changed the vote-by-mail bill released last week by a joint committee, adding a measure requiring pre-paid postage on return envelopes that would be provided to registered voters so that they wouldn't have to pay to return their applications for a ballot or to vote by mail in the September and November state elections.” – “Mass. National Guard Suspends Soldier For 'Inflammatory,' 'Divisive' Comments About George Floyd Protests,” by Lisa Creamer, WBUR: “The Massachusetts National Guard tweeted Tuesday that it suspended one of its soldiers as the military investigates whether he threatened to shoot anti-police brutality protesters in a disturbing social media post. The Guard made the announcement about the suspension and investigation in reply to a tweet that showed a Snapchat screenshot of a young man's face and hand, along with a curse-ridden message. ‘F--- your riots. Bullsh-- -ss motherf---in sh--’ and ‘You're all stupid and I can't wait to shoot you tomorrow night.’” FROM THE HUB – “Demonstrators Gather In Dorchester's Franklin Park For Third Night Of Boston Protests,” by Saraya Wintersmith and Tori Bedford, WGBH News: “Thousands of people rallied in Dorchester's Franklin Park Tuesday evening for a third consecutive day of Boston demonstrations against racism and police brutality. The event, organized by Boston’s Black Lives Matter group and the non-profit Violence in Boston, is the part of a nation-wide spate of demonstrations sparked by the recent deaths of three unarmed black individuals whose deaths have become rallying cries.” – “As Protests Continue, Health Officials Advise Activists: Keep Masks On,” by Tessa Yannone, Boston Magazine: “The total number of coronavirus cases as of Sunday, when protesters gathered in crowds across the city to protest the death of George Floyd, reached 96,965 and claimed another 78 lives, raising the death toll to 6,846. During the night, as peaceful protests turned chaotic in Boston, the streets of Downtown Crossing and Back Bay saw more cars, traffic, and people than they have in months due to the pandemic and quarantine restrictions.” – “Boston cop union condemns DA Rachael Rollins’ ‘reckless’ rhetoric,” by Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald: “The Boston patrolmen’s union is condemning DA Rachael Rollins’ ‘reckless’ rhetoric after the county’s top law enforcer called cops ‘murderers’ in a tweet. Rollins isn’t backing down, though. ‘Did I somehow miss BPPA’s letter denouncing the murder of George Floyd and calling for the immediate termination and prosecution of the 4 police that murdered him and/or watched and did nothing while he died? White fragility is real people,’ the first-term district attorney tweeted Tuesday evening.” PRIMARY SOURCES – “If Ted Kennedy spent nearly 50 years in Washington, why can’t Ed Markey?” by Joan Vennochi, Boston Globe: “Ted Kennedy spent 47 years in the Senate. Should he have left sooner? Asked that question during Monday night’s Senate debate with Senator Edward J. Markey, Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III replied: ‘I think my uncle did a great job. This isn’t about age or seniority.’ But with no real policy differences between these two Democrats — it is.” – “Three now in the running for Norfolk County sheriff's post,” by Stephen Peterson, Sun Chronicle: “Patrick McDermott, a Democratic candidate for Norfolk County sheriff, will be on the ballot of the Sept. 1 primary. McDermott, a Quincy resident, has announced he has turned in the required 1,400-plus certified signatures and nomination papers to the state, ensuring his place on the ballot.” DAY IN COURT – “Berkshire DA to go before state's top court; due process rights in a pandemic at issue,” by Larry Parnass, The Berkshire Eagle: “The Berkshires' top prosecutor goes before the state's top court Wednesday — in a case that asks justices to ponder due process rights in a pandemic. At issue: How long a defendant can be held before trial, now that the coronavirus has delayed jury trials in Massachusetts at least until September.” – “SJC refuses to order release of convicted prisoners,” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “The Supreme Judicial Court refused to issue a preliminary injunction that would have released convicted prisoners to house arrest on Tuesday, holding that their continued incarceration increased their odds of contracting COVID-19 but did not violate the Eighth Amendment’s threshold of cruel and unusual punishment.” WARREN REPORT – “Sen. Elizabeth Warren backs protesters outside White House, says President Donald Trump ‘imposing violence on our people,'” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: “Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts expressed support for the throng of protesters outside the White House on Tuesday evening, a night that’s seen law enforcement and National Guard presence ramped up in several cities amid unrest over systemic racism and the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week.” TRUMPACHUSETTS – “Trump's threat to send in troops criticized,” by Christian M. Wade, Gloucester Daily Times: “State leaders are pushing back against threats from President Donald Trump to send the U.S. military to quash violent protests over the death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed by Minneapolis police. On Monday, Trump said he was ‘sickened and revolted’ by Floyd's death.”     MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS – “Security footage shows looting of Boston’s first recreational marijuana shop,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Pure Oasis, both the first recreational marijuana dispensary in Boston and the first Black-owned pot shop in Massachusetts, was among the many businesses hit by looting early Monday morning in the city. Kobie Evans, a co-owner of Pure Oasis, told The Boston Globe that more than a dozen people entered the store after breaking through a large window around 1:43 a.m. Monday and stole roughly 2,000 pre-rolled joints and 2,000 containers of marijuana flower worth more than $100,000.” ABOVE THE FOLD — Herald: “TIPPING POINT,” — Globe: “Backlash follows Trump's bible photo," "Another call for justice as protests go on," "Across US, rallies are still growing.” FROM THE 413 – “More than 1,000 march at Holyoke protest against racism, police brutality following George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis,” by Jeanette DeForge, Springfield Republican: “Police Chief Manuel Febo and other public officials joined a crowd of more than 1,000 in a march against racism and police brutality as waves of demonstrations continued across the country Tuesday following the recent death of George Floyd during an arrest in Minnesota. The march went from City Hall to a parking lot at Heritage State Park across the street from the city’s police headquarters on Appleton Street.” THE LOCAL ANGLE – “Tensions escalate in Brockton; fireworks thrown at police, tear gas deployed,” by Cody Shepard, The Enterprise: “Tensions escalated in Brockton Tuesday night, resulting in police deploying tear gas and flash-bang grenades at protesters who threw fireworks and other objects at them. Following a protest and peace rally at West Middle School, which remained completely peaceful, hundreds of protesters at various points split off and began walking eastbound on West Elm Street toward the downtown area.” – “Angry at Worcester police handling of unrest, Clark University says it will no longer hire city officers for details,” by George Barnes, Telegram & Gazette: “Clark University is discontinuing use of off-duty Worcester police officers and suspending its policy requiring a police officer during large student events, in response to police actions in Main South during unrest late Monday and early Tuesday. Clark students were among those arrested in Main South during a confrontation that came hours after a downtown protest over the death of George Floyd in Minnesota.” – “Cape Cod restaurants opt to close ahead of phased reopening,” by Jessica Hill, Cape Cod Times: “Some Cape restaurant owners have decided to close either permanently or for the season ahead of the state’s timetable for restaurants to reopen later this month. Tim Miller, owner of the Post Office Cafe and Cabaret in Provincetown, announced that the restaurant will close for the rest of the year, marking the first time in 45 years the restaurant would be closed for an extended period.” HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Eric Rosengren, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston; Sean McFate and Massachusetts Playbook’s #1 fan Eric Farmer. NEW EPISODE: ROAM ALONE – On this week’s Horse Race podcast, hosts Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith, and Stephanie Murray speak with CommonWealth Magazine’s Sarah Betancourt about the state’s unemployment system. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud. Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.   A message from Biogen and the Lemelson-MIT Program at MIT: The biotechnology industry plays a critical role in improving health outcomes today and protecting lives tomorrow. This important work can only continue if we increase access to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and inspire the next generation of scientists to drive innovation forward for years to come. For students historically underrepresented in science, access to education and hand-on exposure to the world of science can open a lifetime of opportunity. That’s why Biogen and the Lemelson-MIT program teamed up to bring a new Virtual Science Learning Lab to students in Massachusetts and North Carolina. Biogen is working with the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus to engage students in learning directly from, and being mentored by, leading scientists at Biogen and MIT. For more information, visit: biogen.com/communitylab.     POLITICO Magazine Justice Reform: The Decarceration Issue, presented by Verizon : Over the past decade, the longstanding challenge of criminal-justice reform has emerged into the spotlight with a new twist: Both Republicans and Democrats are on board with reform. But if both parties want to lower the incarceration rate, why are U.S. jail and prison populations still so high? The latest series from POLITICO Magazine searches for answers to this important question and takes a deeper look into what it will take to make progress toward real justice reform. READ THE FULL ISSUE.       Follow us on Twitter Stephanie Murray @StephMurr_Jour   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters

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