Boston City Council unanimously adopts "No Kings" resolution challenging Trump administration

BOSTON — August 6, 2025 — Boston City Council unanimously adopted a "No Kings" resolution calling for a return to constitutional checks on executive power, capping a contentious five-hour session. The 11-to-0 roll call vote on Docket 1379, sponsored by Councilor Benjamin J. Weber, came only after an 8-to-3 vote to close a floor debate in which Councilor Edward M. Flynn argued he had been denied a promised committee hearing, while Weber said the measure plainly addressed separation of powers, not military affairs. The council also voted 11-to-0 to adopt a resolution affirming affirmatively furthering fair housing principles (Docket 1458) in memory of the late housing advocate Bob Terrell, and 11-to-0 condemning the Trump administration's proposed repeal of the EPA's 2009 greenhouse-gas endangerment finding (Docket 1456). The council passed a $3,842,600 MassDOT Brighton sidewalk grant and a $550,000 MBTA Copley Square bus-stop grant, and designated two historic properties — the oldest house in Jamaica Plain and the 1804 birthplace of Animal Rescue League founder Anna Harris Smith in Dorchester — as city landmarks after Councilor Sharon Durkan warned both would become automatic landmarks if the council missed their August deadlines. A resolution by Flynn declaring a public safety emergency at the Mass. and Cass corridor was blocked by Durkan's objection and referred to committee.