Liquor License Discussion Recap
Last night folks from across Boston gathered at Dudley Dough to partake in a discussion with us and The Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism about the complex state of current liquor licensing legislation in the Hub. Journalists, entrepreneurs, and activists alike raised questions and concerns to an informal, town hall style panel of individuals whom have been driven to follow this issue and its effects on urban communities including; Haley Hamilton, writer of “The Thirsty Games: Round I and II”; Chris Faraone, founder of BINJ Reports and Erin Anderson, Program Manager at Epicenter Community.
Though this discussion served as a centralized way to educate and activate those who feel invested in the economic opportunities that lifting the cap on liquor licenses provides, it was just a first step for many. Panelists consistently brought up the idea of people power and how showing up to hearings and being present in the conversation shows those who are ‘running the show’ that we — the communities that this issue effects the most — are paying attention.
Here are some ways that you can activate around this issue:
Get Educated!
The history of Liquor Licenses in Boston and the concept of keeping caps on the amount of Licenses available is deeply rooted in “elitism and has fostered a poisonous disparity over the past century,” writes Haley Hamilton in “The Thirsty Games: Round 1.” Read both of her Articles to gain an understanding of the constructs of power set in place by creating a Liquor License quota.
https://medium.com/binj-reports/the-thirsty-games-rounds-i-ii-d2ad9f4ee3eb#.qw7rnpd9i
Attend a Hearing … or Multiple.
Boston Licensing Board hearings take place every Wednesday and Thursday at City Hall in Room 809A at 10:00AM.
#SocialMedia Conversations
Go public with your activism by taking your concerns to social media! Use the hashtag #LiftTheCap and #ActivateBOS to address the need for allowing more Local Restaurants to obtain Public Liquor Licenses.
Special thanks to Dudley Dough and BINJ Reports for making this discussion possible!
