Boston Mayor Michelle Wu proudly showed off a photo of her no-whites party.
The Democrat continued to downplay the scandal that has erupted over the split party as she shared the group photo on her Instagram a day after Wednesday's event.
The “Elected of Color” event featured Conan Harris, the husband of Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who served 10 years in prison for drug trafficking and now works as a consultant focused on “diversifying the pipeline of leadership and workforce on the workforce.”
Also present was outgoing city councilor Ricardo Arroyo, who was fined earlier this year for violating the conflict of interest law by representing his brother in a lawsuit.
Incoming Councilman Enrique Pepen, who has been fined for violating campaign finance law, was also a guest, along with Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins, who was fined for creating gainful employment for his niece. Those at the party were first identified by veteran journalist and conservative talk show host Howie Carr.
The Elect of Color: From left to right: Rep. Samantha Montano, Rep. Russell Holmes, his wife, fiancee of City Council Member Ricardo Arroyo and Arroyo, Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden, his wife, City Council Member Ruthzee Louijeune, representing Council Member Ayanna Pressley's husband Conan Harris, Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins, City Hall Assistant Juan Lopez, Enrique Pepen, Mayor Wu, Representative Brandy Fluker-Oakley, unknown man, Representative Chris Worrell and Senator Liz Miranda
Wu, Boston's first non-white mayor, was unapologetically outside the event Wednesday night
The group also included Senator Liz Miranda, who recently made headlines when she refused to sign a ceremonial resolution condemning Hamas' terrorist attacks on Israel because, she said, “the IDF had a history of going beyond what you see in terms of what I would actually call revenge.'
Rep. Samantha Montano, Rep. Russell Holmes, Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden, City Council Member Ruthzee Louijeune, City Hall Assistant Juan Lopez, Rep. Brandy Fluker-Oakley and Rep. Chris Worrell were all also in attendance.
Wu wrote in the caption of the group photo: ''tis the season
“Last night it was my turn to host the annual holiday dinner for Boston's elected officials of color – a special moment to recognize that our affinity group now includes leadership in city, state, county and federal offices.”
Critics say “affinity group” is a modern term used to sell segregated spaces and groups.
“Not long ago in Boston, we didn't need such a big table to accommodate elected officials of color,” Wu continued, “But over my time as a city council member and now mayor, as I followed so many leaders who paved the way have paved the way, I have proudly watched this group grow and create space for mentorship and community among many who are breaking down barriers while carrying the burden of being the first or only.
“All year long, we work to represent our communities with urgency and determination. And during the holidays we take the time to celebrate and enjoy each other's company!
“Thank you to everyone who works hard to build community, and I wish joy and rejuvenation for everyone who gives so much this holiday season.”
The footage of the controversial affair comes after prominent Boston conservative Howie Carr criticized Mayor Wu in a blistering op-ed for the Boston Herald, labeling those in attendance as the “Wu Klux Klan.”
“What if a white mayor had held a whites-only party in a city-owned building after specifically banning all non-white members of the City Council?” wrote the veteran radio host.
Senator Liz Miranda, wearing a smart red outfit, arrives at the Electeds of Color party at a taxpayer-funded facility in Boston on Wednesday evening
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden enters the event with his wife covering her face
Unknown guests are greeted as they arrive at the Electeds of Color Holiday party
'It would have been the end of the world, a national story that would last for days, if not weeks. On the night of the party there would have been riots, looting and violence.
Carr also highlighted exclusive photos from DailyMail.com showing guests attending the party – and asked why, if the party wasn't an issue, they had chosen to cover their faces.
If the event had been hosted by a Republican, every Republican politician across the country would have been asked to denounce it, Carr added, accusing “most of the state media” in Massachusetts of looking the other way.
“After all, Michelle Wu was just trying to bring the 'party' back under apartheid,” the conservative said.
Carr attacked the “state media” for ignoring or soft-soaping the Wu scandal, without naming names.
The liberal Boston Globe – which has regularly praised Wu's performance – ignored the story for 24 hours, even as media in the US and around the world picked up the scandal.
An “explainer” piece titled “What to Know About Mayor Wu's 'Electeds of Color' Party and Why It Caused So Much Uproar” was published Thursday afternoon.
The article quoted multiple local lawmakers defending Wu's separate bash — and only one calling it “divisive.”
The story has since been flooded with hundreds of comments from readers accusing the newspaper of going out of its way not to publish the story because of its alleged pro-Wu stance.
One response read: 'ahhhhhhhhhhhhh……here's the article I was looking for!!….nice twist there Globe.'
Another added: '36 hours later, after all the media in the country (and other countries) have extensively covered it, the BG decides that not reporting on the Wu snafu is blatantly biased – even by their standards. Better late than never, I guess, but the damage has already been done. Shameful.'
A third wrote: 'The Globe is covering for his lib protectorates as usual….smh'
Back at the Herald, columnist Carr also pointed out that City Councilman Freddy Langone held hearings in 1979 to investigate the mayor's use of Parkman House, the site of Wu's non-white meeting, to host parties for contributors.
He also reflected on the definition of a “Chosen One of Color,” writing, “If the Democrats can't define what a woman is, how can they ever define what a 'Chosen One of Color' means?
Councilwoman Tania Fernandes Anderson defended Wu, saying, “Just as there are groups that meet based on shared interests or cultural backgrounds, it is completely normal for elected officials of color to gather for celebration.”
“Think of Gigi Coletta, the city council member from East Boston. Her city hall website lists her “Italian and Mexican heritage.”
“So Gigi got an invite as an EOC, or was stopped at the front door under the Democratic party's traditional 'one-drop' rule of banning anyone from the festivities who isn't 100 percent… whatever ?
“Or did the Wu Klux Klan split the difference for Gigi and only let her attend half the party?”
Wu, Boston's first non-white mayor, unapologetically sat out the event Wednesday night, defending it by claiming that “some people who are concerned may also not have all the information.”
However, the Democrat did not clarify what additional information the public was missing while tacitly confirming that the party was indeed as advertised.
The mayor's office has maintained that they did not use any tax dollars for the event. The party did use municipal resources, however, as it was held at the city-owned Parkman House.
