BOSTON (WHDH) - Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced Wednesday that the city is pausing the removal of tents at a homeless encampment.
This announcement comes after the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts filed a lawsuit in Suffolk Superior Court in response to Acting Mayor Kim Janey’s decision to declare addiction and homelessness a public health emergency and clean up the area around Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard.
The city pledged to find treatment or alternative housing for people displaced from tents in the area but has not properly done so, according to the ACLU.
Although only three plaintiffs are mentioned, the suit applies to all residents of the area, the ACLU said.
The lawsuit is being heard in court Wednesday.
“I think across the board, there is agreement that we need to take a public health lens and a housing lens to this crisis,” Wu said.
Wu also discussed the issue with Gov. Charlie Baker during an hourlong meeting at the State House.
Wu was sworn in as Boston’s mayor on Tuesday.
This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS for updates online and on-air.
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