The recent U.S. military strikes on nuclear sites in Iran have stirred a wave of emotional responses and reactions across Boston.
From local residents to representatives in Congress, the community is engaged in a heated dialogue about the implications of these actions.
Soheil Fathi, co-owner of La Saison bakery in Cambridge and Charlestown, expressed feelings of frustration and fear regarding the strikes.
Having grown up in Iran, he noted that the reactions from his homeland reflect a sense of shock.
He insists that no one stands to benefit from this kind of military action, stating, “I don’t think anyone is gonna benefit from this. Not Israeli people, not Iranian people, not even American people. No one’s gonna benefit from this.”
As Fathi speaks with family and friends back in Iran, he finds that people are bewildered by the U.S.’s military escalations, asking the question, “Why are we doing this?”
The streets of Boston echoed these sentiments as hundreds gathered to protest the military actions, marching from Boston Common to City Hall Plaza.
Brian Garvey, executive director of Massachusetts Peace Action, highlighted the broader concerns of Boston’s citizens.
“People are worried about making rent. People are delaying starting a family, getting married, buying homes,” he noted, while criticizing the government for its focus on what he described as “stupid, illegal and costly wars.”
Amidst the chaos, some members of Congress, including Senators Warren and Ed Markey and Representative Katherine Clark, have voiced their criticism of the Trump administration for conducting military operations without congressional approval.
Markey characterized the command for military action as illegal and unconstitutional, emphasizing, “The American people do not want another endless war in the Middle East.”
The federal landscape also includes significant developments concerning student education.
A federal judge has ruled that Harvard University can continue to host international students while it battles the Trump administration in court over immigration policies.
University officials reached out to international students in an email on Friday, indicating they expect a more definitive court decision soon.
President Donald Trump weighed in on the matter through a social media post, stating that his administration has been in close discussions with Harvard, hinting at a potential agreement in the coming week.
However, university representatives have not yet commented on the president’s statement.
In another headline, Karen Read’s second trial concluded with her acquittal on all but one charge related to driving under the influence, but the case continues to spark conversations in Canton.
She is now facing a civil lawsuit from the family of her late boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe.
Local residents visiting Canton recently could be seen discussing the events surrounding the trial, stopping at various locations mentioned in court to take photos.
Melissa Fitzgerald and Carol Villa, two friends visiting to shop for wedding gowns, shared their thoughts on the case’s outcome.
Fitzgerald stated, “I think that when you dehumanize and you make a woman the target of something that really bad happened, I think you’re going to have repercussions.”
Villa believed the outcome was fair, but added, “we have to move forward” while still remembering the impact on the victim, John.
Meanwhile, educational reform is also on the horizon as Massachusetts considers allowing colleges and universities to offer three-year bachelor’s degrees.
The Board of Higher Education is drafting regulations to facilitate this option, which could lead to reduced tuition costs and fewer credit hour requirements compared to traditional four-year degrees.
While these regulations would not automatically permit institutions to provide three-year degrees, they would give colleges the opportunity to seek permission from the state’s Board of Higher Education to do so.
In related news, organizers of the Boston Calling music festival have announced that there will be no performances in 2026, stating the festival will return in 2027.
Specific reasons for this hiatus have not been disclosed, but organizers expressed gratitude for the community’s support during this year’s festival, encouraging followers to stay tuned for updates on their upcoming return from June 4-6, 2027.
image source from：wgbh
