Fans boo Healey, Wu at Red Sox home opener
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu faced boos from more than 36,000 fans at Fenway Park during the Boston Red Sox home opener against the San Diego Padres on Friday. The Democratic politicians walked the field for a pregame ceremony before the crowd's reaction intensified. Footage of the jeering quickly spread on social media.
Healey and Wu have drawn criticism for their opposition to federal immigration enforcement. Healey demanded on Thursday that two private airlines halt flights for ICE deportations, following a shooting involving ICE in Minneapolis. Wu in February labeled federal immigration operations in Boston as unconstitutional and called for the release of related surveillance footage.
Republican candidates for Massachusetts governor seized on the moment. GOP hopeful Brian Shortsleeve posted a video from Fenway, stating, "Hey, everybody, coming to you from Fenway Park. Here’s a quick update: It’s a beautiful afternoon. The Red Sox are up by one. Maura Healey and Michelle Wu just got booed very loudly." He added that the boos were even louder in person. Mike Minogue shared video of the scene with the caption that fans wanted someone else up to bat. Mike Kennealy posted that he loves Red Sox Nation.
The incident highlights tensions between the politicians and some Boston sports fans amid ongoing debates over immigration policy.