WW2 commemorations at Soviet monument in Riga’s Victory Park as tensions rise over Ukraine war
June 29, 2022

Police tape and barricades covered in the Ukrainian and Latvian flags surround Soviet-era monuments as people gather in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to commemorate Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.

On May 8 and 9, the Monument to the Liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga from the German Fascist Invaders in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) served as a gathering spot for two separate and incompatible commemorations of the end of the second World War. May 8 is Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), celebrated through Europe and the US, and May 9 is Victory Day, a Russian holiday marking the victory over the Germans. 

The Russian Victory Day gathering has been contentious since Latvia’s independence; most Latvians view it as a celebration of the Soviet occupation of Latvia. Because of this and because of rising tensions throughout Europe over Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government banned Russian gatherings on May 9 and forbade any displays of Russian nationalism. In previous years, the Russian holiday saw thousands gathered at the base of the monument, laying flowers on the ground, and displaying Russian patriotic symbols.

This year, the monument, which features a traditional Soviet Motherland figure, soldiers, and a tall tower, were surrounded by police barricades decorated with the Latvian and Ukrainian flags and images of the war in Ukraine were put on display. On May 8, people could approach the monument directly, but on May 9, Russians were held back from the monument by police and could not personally lay flowers at the base of the monument. The mood on May 8 was somber, but tensions were high on May 9 as the Russian arrived but couldn’t commemorate Victory Day as they have for decades. 

UPDATE: Starting 22 August 2022, the Riga government began the destruction of this monument, part of a wave of Soviet monument removal throughout the Baltics. The soldiers were removed on Aug. 23, and the 260-foot obelisk tower was toppled on Aug. 25. 

Images showing the atrocities committed by Russia in their recent invasion of Ukraine are on display in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) as people gather to commemorate Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
Police tape and barricades covered in the Ukrainian and Latvian flags surround Soviet-era monuments as people gather in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to commemorate Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
People gather in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to lay flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
Ethnic Russians and pro-Russian Latvians gathered in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) and laid flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory Day in Riga, Latvia, on Mon., May 9, 2022. Victory Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. The previous day, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
A sign reading "No to war" in Russian is posted on a police barricade covered in Latvian flags surrounding Soviet-era monuments in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to commemorate Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
Ethnic Russians and pro-Russian Latvians gathered in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) and laid flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory Day in Riga, Latvia, on Mon., May 9, 2022. Victory Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. The previous day, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
Thousands of flowers lay at the base of Soviet-era monuments as people gather in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to commemorate Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
Ethnic Russians and pro-Russian Latvians gathered in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) and laid flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory Day in Riga, Latvia, on Mon., May 9, 2022. Victory Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. The previous day, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
Police tape and barricades covered in the Ukrainian and Latvian flags surround Soviet-era monuments as people gather in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to commemorate Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
People gather in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to lay flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
People gather in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to lay flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
People gather in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to lay flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
People gather in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to lay flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
People gather in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to lay flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
People gather in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to lay flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
Ethnic Russians and pro-Russian Latvians gathered in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) and laid flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory Day in Riga, Latvia, on Mon., May 9, 2022. Victory Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. The previous day, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
A pro-Ukraine demonstrator holds a Ukrainian flag as ethnic Russians and pro-Russian Latvians gathered in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) and laid flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory Day in Riga, Latvia, on Mon., May 9, 2022. Victory Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. The previous day, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
Ethnic Russians and pro-Russian Latvians gathered in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) and laid flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory Day in Riga, Latvia, on Mon., May 9, 2022. Victory Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. The previous day, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
Police lay flowers around the monument as ethnic Russians and pro-Russian Latvians gathered in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) and laid flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory Day in Riga, Latvia, on Mon., May 9, 2022. Victory Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. The previous day, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
A crowd surrounds as police confront a Russian man wearing a Russia jacket as ethnic Russians and pro-Russian Latvians gathered in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) and laid flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory Day in Riga, Latvia, on Mon., May 9, 2022. The Russian man eventually displayed his Russian passport and explained that that was his only jacket, knowing that displays of the Russian flag had been forbidden. Victory Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. The previous day, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
Flowers and mementos lay on police barricades as ethnic Russians and pro-Russian Latvians gathered in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) and laid flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory Day in Riga, Latvia, on Mon., May 9, 2022. Victory Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. The previous day, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
Ethnic Russians and pro-Russian Latvians gathered in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) and laid flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory Day in Riga, Latvia, on Mon., May 9, 2022. Victory Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. The previous day, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
A destroyed flower lays on the ground as ethnic Russians and pro-Russian Latvians gathered in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) and laid flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory Day in Riga, Latvia, on Mon., May 9, 2022. Victory Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. The previous day, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.

South Boston’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade returns after pandemic cancellations
April 1, 2022

Crowds gather to watch the Saint Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., March 20, 2022. The parade was cancelled in the previous two years due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.

South Boston’s raucous Saint Patrick’s Day Parade returned after two years being cancelled by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. And while the route was shortened this year, the sidewalks were just as full as ever with people. An estimated 1 million people attended the event.

Crowds of people arrive at the Broadway Red Line MBTA subway station to attend the Saint Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., March 20, 2022. The parade was cancelled in the previous two years due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.

Crowds gather to watch the Saint Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., March 20, 2022. The parade was cancelled in the previous two years due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.

Crowds gather to watch the Saint Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., March 20, 2022. The parade was cancelled in the previous two years due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.

People march in the Saint Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., March 20, 2022. The parade was cancelled in the previous two years due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.

Miss Boston 2022 Cassie Pinataro waves to crowds during the Saint Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., March 20, 2022. The parade was cancelled in the previous two years due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.

Crowds gather to watch the Saint Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., March 20, 2022. The parade was cancelled in the previous two years due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.

People watch the Saint Patrick's Day Parade from windows along the parade route in South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., March 20, 2022. The parade was cancelled in the previous two years due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.

Men sit on an apartment rooftop to watch the Saint Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., March 20, 2022. The parade was cancelled in the previous two years due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.

Confetti in the color of the Irish flag lays on the ground during the Saint Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., March 20, 2022. The parade was cancelled in the previous two years due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.

Crowds gather to watch the Saint Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., March 20, 2022. The parade was cancelled in the previous two years due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.

Young men wearing green for Saint Patrick's Day celebration ride a Red Line MBTA subway train in Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., March 20, 2022.

Recent assignment work for the New York Times
March 15, 2022

Boston rallies in support of Ukraine as Russian invasion begins

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEB 24, 2022. Yuliya Reshetnyak, a Ukrainian living in Boston, age 38, has her face painted with the Ukrainian flag as people gather in support of Ukraine outside the Massachusetts State House in Boston, Massachusetts, on election day, Thu., Feb. 24, 2022.Over night, Russian forces invaded Ukraine in a massive increase of aggression after rumors of war have persisted for the past few weeks.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEB 24, 2022. A person holds a sign reading "No SWIFT," a reference to banking sanctions many hope will be applied to Russia, as people gather in support of Ukraine outside the Massachusetts State House in Boston, Massachusetts, Thu., Feb. 24, 2022. Over night, Russian forces invaded Ukraine in a massive increase of aggression after rumors of war have persisted for the past few weeks. The signs here read "No SWIFT" and "Stop War."
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEB 24, 2022. Rita Shaboshnikova, 83 (center), a Ukrainian from Kharkov living in Boston, holds a Ukrainian flag as people gather in support of Ukraine outside the Massachusetts State House in Boston, Massachusetts, on election day, Thu., Feb. 24, 2022.Over night, Russian forces invaded Ukraine in a massive increase of aggression after rumors of war have persisted for the past few weeks. Shaboshnikova says she has friends and colleagues still in Ukraine, but no family.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEB 24, 2022. People gather in support of Ukraine outside the Massachusetts State House in Boston, Massachusetts, Thu., Feb. 24, 2022. Over night, Russian forces invaded Ukraine in a massive increase of aggression after rumors of war have persisted for the past few weeks. While standing on the State House steps the crowd chanted "Arm Ukraine," "Slava Ukraine," and "Sanctions Now" and sang patriotic songs.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEB 24, 2022. A person holds a Ukrainian flag as people gather in support of Ukraine outside the Massachusetts State House in Boston, Massachusetts, Thu., Feb. 24, 2022. Over night, Russian forces invaded Ukraine in a massive increase of aggression after rumors of war have persisted for the past few weeks.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEB 24, 2022. Victor Pavlenkov, a Russian-American from Cambridge, Mass., who came to the US in 1979, waves a Ukrainian flag in support as people gather in support of Ukraine outside the Massachusetts State House in Boston, Massachusetts, Thu., Feb. 24, 2022. Over night, Russian forces invaded Ukraine in a massive increase of aggression after rumors of war have persisted for the past few weeks. Pavlenkov wore various items from former Soviet Republics including a Georgian hat and a Belarusian flag and said, "I support Ukrainian independence as well as any of the republics." Pavlenkov is standing in front of the Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Regiment Memorial, also known as the Black Civil War Monument, in Boston Common opposite the MA State House.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEB 24, 2022. Iryna Soloviova, 20, a Ukrainian student at Northeastern University, speaks on the phone with her mother to hear news of relatives in Ukraine and that Russia just took hold of Chernobyl after people gathered in support of Ukraine outside the Massachusetts State House in Boston, Massachusetts, Thu., Feb. 24, 2022. Over night, Russian forces invaded Ukraine in a massive increase of aggression after rumors of war have persisted for the past few weeks.

Funeral for Esias Johnson, killed while incarcerated at Rikers

Jerome Johnson leans over his son's closed casket during the funeral of Esias Johnson at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home in Haverhill, Massachusetts, on Sat., Sept. 25, 2021. Johnson died on Sept. 7, 2021, while in custody at New York's Rikers Island jail. According to his parents, Rikers officials had not taken him to scheduled a court appearance and had not given him medical attention when he became sick. At least two corrections officers have been suspended in connection with Johnson's death. The funeral was a closed casket service; Esias' father Jerome Johnson said that how Esias's body was stored prior to being transferred to Massachusetts necessitated a closed casket service due to deterioration of the body.
Tracy Johnson (right) receives a hug from Deliesha McKinnon (colorful hair, mother of Esias's sister) during Tracy's son Esias Johnson's funeral at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home in Haverhill, Massachusetts, on Sat., Sept. 25, 2021. Johnson died on Sept. 7, 2021, while in custody at New York's Rikers Island jail. According to his parents, Rikers officials had not taken him to scheduled a court appearance and had not given him medical attention when he became sick. At least two corrections officers have been suspended in connection with Johnson's death. The funeral was a closed casket service; Esias' father Jerome Johnson said that how Esias's body was stored prior to being transferred to Massachusetts necessitated a closed casket service due to deterioration of the body.
Friends and family gather for the funeral of Esias Johnson at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home in Haverhill, Massachusetts, on Sat., Sept. 25, 2021. Johnson died on Sept. 7, 2021, while in custody at New York's Rikers Island jail. According to his parents, Rikers officials had not taken him to scheduled a court appearance and had not given him medical attention when he became sick. At least two corrections officers have been suspended in connection with Johnson's death. The funeral was a closed casket service; Esias' father Jerome Johnson said that how Esias's body was stored prior to being transferred to Massachusetts necessitated a closed casket service due to deterioration of the body.
Jeremy Poisson (right) hugs cousin Alex Poisson at the funeral of Jeremy's brother Esias Johnson at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home in Haverhill, Massachusetts, on Sat., Sept. 25, 2021. Johnson died on Sept. 7, 2021, while in custody at New York's Rikers Island jail. According to his parents, Rikers officials had not taken him to scheduled a court appearance and had not given him medical attention when he became sick. At least two corrections officers have been suspended in connection with Johnson's death. The funeral was a closed casket service; Esias' father Jerome Johnson said that how Esias's body was stored prior to being transferred to Massachusetts necessitated a closed casket service due to deterioration of the body.
Janai Chaney-Johnson (center) speaks at his brother Esias Johnson's funeral at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home in Haverhill, Massachusetts, on Sat., Sept. 25, 2021. During Janai's speech, he addressed his other brothers and said that Esias's death should serve as an inspiration to strive to be the best that they can be. Johnson died on Sept. 7, 2021, while in custody at New York's Rikers Island jail. According to his parents, Rikers officials had not taken him to scheduled a court appearance and had not given him medical attention when he became sick. At least two corrections officers have been suspended in connection with Johnson's death. The funeral was a closed casket service; Esias' father Jerome Johnson said that how Esias's body was stored prior to being transferred to Massachusetts necessitated a closed casket service due to deterioration of the body.
Photos of Esias Johnson are seen in the parlor of the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home at Johnson's funeral in Haverhill, Massachusetts, on Sat., Sept. 25, 2021. Johnson died on Sept. 7, 2021, while in custody at New York's Rikers Island jail. According to his parents, Rikers officials had not taken him to scheduled a court appearance and had not given him medical attention when he became sick. At least two corrections officers have been suspended in connection with Johnson's death. The funeral was a closed casket service; Esias' father Jerome Johnson said that how Esias's body was stored prior to being transferred to Massachusetts necessitated a closed casket service due to deterioration of the body.
A candle featuring photos of Esias Johnson stands on a table as family and friends gather for a memorial reception at the Amvets 147 Function Hall after Esias' funeral in Haverhill, Massachusetts, on Sat., Sept. 25, 2021. Johnson died on Sept. 7, 2021, while in custody at New York's Rikers Island jail. According to his parents, Rikers officials had not taken him to scheduled a court appearance and had not given him medical attention when he became sick. At least two corrections officers have been suspended in connection with Johnson's death. The funeral was a closed casket service; Esias' father Jerome Johnson said that how Esias's body was stored prior to being transferred to Massachusetts necessitated a closed casket service due to deterioration of the body.

Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas competes at Harvard

Lia Thomas (top; senior, University of Pennsylvania) swims in the competition pool after all races had finished at the Harvard vs. Penn Swim Meet at Blodgett Pool at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sat., Jan. 22, 2022.in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sat., Jan. 22, 2022. Thomas is a transgender athlete.
The scoreboard shows Lia Thomas (senior, University of Pennsylvania) winning the Women's 200 Yard Freestyle race at the Harvard vs. Penn Swim Meet at Blodgett Pool at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sat., Jan. 22, 2022.in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sat., Jan. 22, 2022. Thomas is a transgender athlete. Thomas placed first in this race with a time of 1:47.08.
Lia Thomas (center; senior, University of Pennsylvania) waits on the starting block to swim the second leg of the Women's 200 Yard Freestyle Relay at the Harvard vs. Penn Swim Meet at Blodgett Pool at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sat., Jan. 22, 2022.in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sat., Jan. 22, 2022. Thomas is a transgender athlete. Thomas's relay team placed second in this race with a time of 1:35.65.
Lia Thomas (center with white facemask; senior, University of Pennsylvania) walks on the pool deck between races at the Harvard vs. Penn Swim Meet at Blodgett Pool at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sat., Jan. 22, 2022.in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sat., Jan. 22, 2022. Thomas is a transgender athlete.
A Penn supporter wears a shirt reading "8 Against Hate / Ivy," referring to an Ivy League anti-hate campaign while watching the women's races at the Harvard vs. Penn Swim Meet at Blodgett Pool at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sat., Jan. 22, 2022.in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sat., Jan. 22, 2022. Lia Thomas, a senior at the University of Pennsylvania, is a transgender athlete swimming in the women's races at the event.
Lia Thomas (center; senior, University of Pennsylvania) rests near the starting blocks after winning the Women's 100 Yard Freestyle race at the Harvard vs. Penn Swim Meet at Blodgett Pool at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sat., Jan. 22, 2022.in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sat., Jan. 22, 2022. Thomas is a transgender athlete. Thomas placed first in this race with a time of 50.55.
Lia Thomas (senior, University of Pennsylvania) gets ready to swim in the Women's 200 Yard Medley Relay at the Harvard vs. Penn Swim Meet at Blodgett Pool at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sat., Jan. 22, 2022.in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sat., Jan. 22, 2022. Thomas is a transgender athlete. The team placed third in this race.
Lia Thomas (senior, University of Pennsylvania) swims in the competition pool during a warm-up period between women's races at the Harvard vs. Penn Swim Meet at Blodgett Pool at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sat., Jan. 22, 2022.in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sat., Jan. 22, 2022. Thomas is a transgender athlete.

COVID numbers rise again in Boston

People wait to get tested for COVID-19 at a free, walk-in Stop the Spread COVID testing site at Saint Rose School in Chelsea, Massachusetts, on Tue., Dec. 21, 2021.
People walk past a TJ Maxx with signs indicating that facemasks must be worn in the Downtown Crossing pedestrian area of downtown Boston, Massachusetts, on Tue., Dec. 21, 2021.
A woman wearing a face mask is seen under a sign reading "Come in / We're Open" inside the Boston Kitchen Pizza restaurant in downtown Boston, Massachusetts, on Tue., Dec. 21, 2021.
People walk along Stuart Street past the Boston Kitchen Pizza restaurant where people are inside eating in downtown Boston, Massachusetts, on Tue., Dec. 21, 2021.
People wait in line for COVID testing in the Terminal E arrivals and baggage claim area of Boston Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts, on Tue., Dec. 21, 2021. The airport testing is available in Terminals E and C depending on the day, costs $75 for a PCR or anti-body test, and is operated by XpresCheck, according to a PDF found on the MassPort website.
A sign in the Terminal E arrivals and baggage claim area of Boston Logan International Airport indicates that there is COVID-19 testing available at airport in Boston, Massachusetts, on Tue., Dec. 21, 2021. The airport testing is available in Terminals E and C depending on the day, costs $75 for a PCR or anti-body test, and is operated by XpresCheck, according to a PDF found on the MassPort website.
People wait in line for COVID testing in the Terminal E arrivals and baggage claim area of Boston Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts, on Tue., Dec. 21, 2021. The airport testing is available in Terminals E and C depending on the day, costs $75 for a PCR or anti-body test, and is operated by XpresCheck, according to a PDF found on the MassPort website.
People wait to get tested for COVID-19 at a free, walk-in Stop the Spread COVID testing site at Saint Rose School in Chelsea, Massachusetts, on Tue., Dec. 21, 2021.
People walk past the entrance of Primark in the Downtown Crossing pedestrian area of downtown Boston, Massachusetts, on Tue., Dec. 21, 2021.
Pedestrians pass by outdoor diners at Finagle A Bagel near Copley Square in Boston, Massachusetts, on Tue., Dec. 21, 2021.
People wait in line for COVID testing People wait in line for COVID testing outside Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, on Tue., Dec. 21, 2021. The website for the testing site warns people that if their medical insurance does not cover the cost of testing, testing for asymptomatic patients may be billed at $135 per person.

Harvard student walkout protest of Harvard handling of Comaroff sexual assault allegations

CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS - FEB 14, 2022. With a banner reading "Shame on Harvard," Harvard University community members including students and faculty gather in Science Center Plaza outside Harvard Yard to participate in a "No Justice Walkout" organized by students in support of three graduate students suing the university for its handling of sexual harassment allegations against anthropology professor John Comaroff in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on election day, Mon., Feb. 14, 2022. Last week 38 Harvard faculty members released a co-signed statement in support of Professor Comaroff, but 34 of those professors issued a retraction shortly after the letter was released. The students who sued Harvard are Margaret Czerwiensky, Lilia Kilburn, and Amulya Mandava. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times HARVARD-RECORDS
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS - FEB 14, 2022. Harvard University community members including students and faculty walk in front of Memorial Church on Harvard Yard as part of a "No Justice Walkout" organized by students in support of three graduate students suing the university for its handling of sexual harassment allegations against anthropology professor John Comaroff in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on election day, Mon., Feb. 14, 2022. Last week 38 Harvard faculty members released a co-signed statement in support of Professor Comaroff, but 34 of those professors issued a retraction shortly after the letter was released. The students who sued Harvard are Margaret Czerwiensky, Lilia Kilburn, and Amulya Mandava. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times HARVARD-RECORDS
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS - FEB 14, 2022. Lilia Kilburn speaks to Harvard University community members including students and faculty gathered in Harvard Yard as part of a "No Justice Walkout" organized by students in support of three graduate students suing the university for its handling of sexual harassment allegations against anthropology professor John Comaroff in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on election day, Mon., Feb. 14, 2022. Kilburn is one of the graduate students who have sued Harvard over the treatment of sexual harassment allegations. Last week 38 Harvard faculty members released a co-signed statement in support of Professor Comaroff, but 34 of those professors issued a retraction shortly after the letter was released. The students who sued Harvard are Margaret Czerwiensky, Lilia Kilburn, and Amulya Mandava. Petherbridge, 24, is a graduate student studying systems biology at Harvard and is a trustee on the Executive Board of the Harvard Graduate Student Union. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times HARVARD-RECORDS
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS - FEB 14, 2022. Rachel Petherbridge leads a chant as Harvard University community members including students and faculty gather in Harvard Yard as part of a "No Justice Walkout" organized by students in support of three graduate students suing the university for its handling of sexual harassment allegations against anthropology professor John Comaroff in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on election day, Mon., Feb. 14, 2022. Last week 38 Harvard faculty members released a co-signed statement in support of Professor Comaroff, but 34 of those professors issued a retraction shortly after the letter was released. The students who sued Harvard are Margaret Czerwiensky, Lilia Kilburn, and Amulya Mandava. Petherbridge, 24, is a graduate student studying systems biology at Harvard and is a trustee on the Executive Board of the Harvard Graduate Student Union. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times HARVARD-RECORDS
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS - FEB 14, 2022. Harvard University community members including students and faculty walk into Harvard Yard as part of a "No Justice Walkout" organized by students in support of three graduate students suing the university for its handling of sexual harassment allegations against anthropology professor John Comaroff in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on election day, Mon., Feb. 14, 2022. Last week 38 Harvard faculty members released a co-signed statement in support of Professor Comaroff, but 34 of those professors issued a retraction shortly after the letter was released. The students who sued Harvard are Margaret Czerwiensky, Lilia Kilburn, and Amulya Mandava. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times HARVARD-RECORDS
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS - FEB 14, 2022. Harvard University community members including students and faculty gather in Science Center Plaza outside Harvard Yard to participate in a "No Justice Walkout" organized by students in support of three graduate students suing the university for its handling of sexual harassment allegations against anthropology professor John Comaroff in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on election day, Mon., Feb. 14, 2022. Last week 38 Harvard faculty members released a co-signed statement in support of Professor Comaroff, but 34 of those professors issued a retraction shortly after the letter was released. The students who sued Harvard are Margaret Czerwiensky, Lilia Kilburn, and Amulya Mandava. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times HARVARD-RECORDS
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS - FEB 14, 2022. Harvard University community members including students and faculty walk in front of Memorial Church on Harvard Yard as part of a "No Justice Walkout" organized by students in support of three graduate students suing the university for its handling of sexual harassment allegations against anthropology professor John Comaroff in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on election day, Mon., Feb. 14, 2022. Last week 38 Harvard faculty members released a co-signed statement in support of Professor Comaroff, but 34 of those professors issued a retraction shortly after the letter was released. The students who sued Harvard are Margaret Czerwiensky, Lilia Kilburn, and Amulya Mandava. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times HARVARD-RECORDS

Lunar New Year lion dancers in Boston’s Chinatown
March 1, 2022

Lion Dancing as part of Lunar New Year festivities during the Chinatown Lion Dance Parade in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., Feb. 13, 2022.

One of Boston’s annual traditions is the lion dance parade in Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood to celebrate Lunar New Year. This year, the lion dancers looked especially great under heavy snowfall.

Lion Dancing as part of Lunar New Year festivities during the Chinatown Lion Dance Parade in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., Feb. 13, 2022.

Lion Dancing as part of Lunar New Year festivities during the Chinatown Lion Dance Parade in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., Feb. 13, 2022.

Lion Dancing as part of Lunar New Year festivities during the Chinatown Lion Dance Parade in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., Feb. 13, 2022.

People watch lion dancing during Lunar New Year festivities during the Chinatown Lion Dance Parade in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., Feb. 13, 2022.

Lion Dancing as part of Lunar New Year festivities during the Chinatown Lion Dance Parade in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., Feb. 13, 2022.

Lion Dancing as part of Lunar New Year festivities during the Chinatown Lion Dance Parade in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., Feb. 13, 2022.

Lion Dancing as part of Lunar New Year festivities during the Chinatown Lion Dance Parade in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., Feb. 13, 2022.

Lion Dancing as part of Lunar New Year festivities during the Chinatown Lion Dance Parade in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., Feb. 13, 2022.

Cabbage and an orange hang in front of a business for Lion Dancers to "eat" during Lunar New Year festivities during the Chinatown Lion Dance Parade in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., Feb. 13, 2022.

Lion Dancing as part of Lunar New Year festivities during the Chinatown Lion Dance Parade in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., Feb. 13, 2022.

Lion Dancing as part of Lunar New Year festivities during the Chinatown Lion Dance Parade in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., Feb. 13, 2022.

Cabbage covers the street after Lion Dancers "ate" the vegetables during Lunar New Year festivities during the Chinatown Lion Dance Parade in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., Feb. 13, 2022.

Lion Dancing as part of Lunar New Year festivities during the Chinatown Lion Dance Parade in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., Feb. 13, 2022.

Boston’s mayoral race for the New York Times
February 13, 2022

For the New York Times, I spent a couple of days on the campaign trail with the 4 major candidates in Boston’s mayoral election last fall, all of whom were women. Coverage culminated with Mayor-elect Michell Wu’s celebration at the end of a long day traveling between voting locations on election day. 

Mayor-elect Michelle Wu's celebration party

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOV 2, 2021. Boston Mayor-elect Michelle Wu speaks at her election night party at the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, on election day, Tue., Nov. 2, 2021. The Boston Mayor's election race is between two City Councilors, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George who are women of color, and either being elected will be the first woman of color elected as Mayor of Boston. Michelle Wu is widely seen as the front-runner in the race with a large lead over Essaibi George in polls of likely voters. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times NYTELX21
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOV 2, 2021. David Vittorini (right), Chief of Staff for Michelle Wu, looks at election returns with wife Jessi Savino at mayoral candidate Michelle Wu's election night party at the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, on election day, Tue., Nov. 2, 2021. The Boston Mayor's election race is between two City Councilors, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George who are women of color, and either being elected will be the first woman of color elected as Mayor of Boston. Michelle Wu is widely seen as the front-runner in the race with a large lead over Essaibi George in polls of likely voters. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times NYTELX21
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOV 2, 2021. People await election results at Michelle Wu's election night party at the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, on election day, Tue., Nov. 2, 2021. The Boston Mayor's election race is between two City Councilors, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George who are women of color, and either being elected will be the first woman of color elected as Mayor of Boston. Michelle Wu is widely seen as the front-runner in the race with a large lead over Essaibi George in polls of likely voters. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times NYTELX21
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOV 2, 2021. An activity asks attendees to "Share your dreams of Boston" at mayoral candidate Michelle Wu's election night party at the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, on election day, Tue., Nov. 2, 2021. The Boston Mayor's election race is between two City Councilors, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George who are women of color, and either being elected will be the first woman of color elected as Mayor of Boston. Michelle Wu is widely seen as the front-runner in the race with a large lead over Essaibi George in polls of likely voters. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times NYTELX21
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOV 2, 2021. People await election results at mayoral candidate Michelle Wu's election night party at the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, on election day, Tue., Nov. 2, 2021. The Boston Mayor's election race is between two City Councilors, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George who are women of color, and either being elected will be the first woman of color elected as Mayor of Boston. Michelle Wu is widely seen as the front-runner in the race with a large lead over Essaibi George in polls of likely voters. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times NYTELX21
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOV 2, 2021. Members of the press await election returns at mayoral candidate Michelle Wu's election night party at the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, on election day, Tue., Nov. 2, 2021. The Boston Mayor's election race is between two City Councilors, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George who are women of color, and either being elected will be the first woman of color elected as Mayor of Boston. Michelle Wu is widely seen as the front-runner in the race with a large lead over Essaibi George in polls of likely voters. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times NYTELX21
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOV 2, 2021. Boston Mayor-elect Michelle Wu speaks at her election night party at the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, on election day, Tue., Nov. 2, 2021. The Boston Mayor's election race is between two City Councilors, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George who are women of color, and either being elected will be the first woman of color elected as Mayor of Boston. Michelle Wu is widely seen as the front-runner in the race with a large lead over Essaibi George in polls of likely voters. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times NYTELX21
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOV 2, 2021. Supporters cheer as Boston Mayor-elect Michelle Wu arrives to speak at her election night party at the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, on election day, Tue., Nov. 2, 2021. The Boston Mayor's election race is between two City Councilors, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George who are women of color, and either being elected will be the first woman of color elected as Mayor of Boston. Michelle Wu is widely seen as the front-runner in the race with a large lead over Essaibi George in polls of likely voters. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times NYTELX21
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOV 2, 2021. Abdi Ali, 32, of East Boston, (center) celebrates as word spreads that Annissa Essaibi George conceded the race and that Michelle Wu will be the next mayor of Boston at Wu's election night party at the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, on election day, Tue., Nov. 2, 2021. The Boston Mayor's election race is between two City Councilors, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George who are women of color, and either being elected will be the first woman of color elected as Mayor of Boston. Michelle Wu is widely seen as the front-runner in the race with a large lead over Essaibi George in polls of likely voters. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times NYTELX21
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOV 2, 2021. Boston Mayor-elect Michelle Wu arrives to speak at her election night party at the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, on election day, Tue., Nov. 2, 2021. The Boston Mayor's election race is between two City Councilors, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George who are women of color, and either being elected will be the first woman of color elected as Mayor of Boston. Michelle Wu is widely seen as the front-runner in the race with a large lead over Essaibi George in polls of likely voters. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times NYTELX21

The campaign

Boston City Council at-large member and mayoral candidate Michelle Wu (center) speaks with people at the Beacon Hill Civic Association Fall HillFest event in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., Sept. 12, 2021. Wu is one of the top four contenders in the race, all of whom are women of color. The primary election takes place on Sept. 14, 2021, and the general election will be held on Nov. 2, 2021.
Campaign signs for mayoral candidates Acting Mayor Kim Janey and Boston City Council at-large member Annissa Essaibi George stand among plants at the intersection of Greenwood and Hyde Park Avenues in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, on Sat., Sept. 11, 2021. Essaibi George and Janey are among the top four contenders in the race, all of whom are women of color. The primary election takes place on Sept. 14, 2021, and the general election will be held on Nov. 2, 2021.
Boston City Council member (District 4) and mayoral candidate Andrea Campbell (center) crosses Tremont Street while walking between campaign stops in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., Sept. 12, 2021. Campbell is one of the top four contenders in the race, all of whom are women of color. The primary election takes place on Sept. 14, 2021, and the general election will be held on Nov. 2, 2021.
Acting Mayor of Boston Kim Janey speaks at a campaign event during which Latinx Community Leaders, including elected officials and union leaders, endorsed the candidate in the upcoming City of Boston Mayoral election at Mozart Park in the Jamaica Plain area of Boston, Massachusetts, on Fri., Sept. 10, 2021. Janey became Mayor of Boston when former Mayor Marty Walsh stepped down after being appointed US Secretary of Labor. Janey is the first woman and first Black person to serve as Mayor of the city. Janey is one of the top four contenders in the race, all of whom are women of color. The primary election takes place on Sept. 14, 2021, and the general election will be held on Nov. 2, 2021. In her speech, Janey called Boston "a city of opportunity...a city of immigrants."
Boston mayoral candidate and City Council at-large member Michelle Wu (top hands) embraces the hands of Maria Lobban while the two talk after the Wu spoke at a campaign event at the Susan L. Curry Community Center in Boston, Massachusetts, on Thu., Oct. 28, 2021. Wu is largely seen as the frontrunner in the race against Annissa Essaibi George. The election will be held on Nov. 2, 2021. Lobban shared details of her difficult personal situation when asking as a question of Wu and spoke about the difficulty faced by the Black community as the cost of living in Boston increases.
Boston City Council at-large member and mayoral candidate Annissa Essaibi George (center) greets friends and supporter as she arrives for a campaign visit to the Boston Center for Youth and Families Nazzaro Community Center in the North End area of Boston, Massachusetts, on Thu., Oct. 28, 2021. Essaibi George is facing off against fellow City Council member Michelle Wu, who is largely seen as the frontrunner in the race. The election will be held on Nov. 2, 2021.
A campaign sticker for Boston City Council at-large member and mayoral candidate Annissa Essaibi George adorns the cover of the current issue of The North End Regional Review in the Post-Gazette newsroom in the North End area of Boston, Massachusetts, on Thu., Oct. 28, 2021. Essaibi George is facing off against fellow City Council member Michelle Wu, who is largely seen as the frontrunner in the race. The election will be held on Nov. 2, 2021. Essaibi George stopped at a few local businesses and greeted people on the street while in the North End.
Boston City Council member (District 4) and mayoral candidate Andrea Campbell (left) speaks with Robert Manning, of Beacon Hill, at the Beacon Hill Civic Association Fall HillFest event in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., Sept. 12, 2021. Campbell is one of the top four contenders in the race, all of whom are women of color. The primary election takes place on Sept. 14, 2021, and the general election will be held on Nov. 2, 2021.
Christopher Nzenwa, of Boston, holds a campaign sign in Haitan Creole for Boston mayoral candidate and City Council at-large member Michelle Wu after the candidate spoke to the Haitian senior community at a campaign event at the Forever Young Adult Day Health Center in the Hyde Park area of Boston, Massachusetts, on Thu., Oct. 28, 2021. Wu is largely seen as the frontrunner in the race against Annissa Essaibi George. The election will be held on Nov. 2, 2021. Nzenwa says that he is the "oldest grass roots organizer in Massachusetts," dating back to Edward Kennedy's campaigns.
Acting Mayor Kim Janey (right) embraces Roxana Rivera, Vice President of 23BJ SEIU, a union representing approximately 20,000 janitors, security workers, and airport workers in Massachusetts, a campaign event in which Latinx community leaders endorsed the Janey's candidacy in the upcoming City of Boston Mayoral election at Mozart Park in the Jamaica Plain area of Boston, Massachusetts, on Fri., Sept. 10, 2021. Janey became Mayor of Boston when former Mayor Marty Walsh stepped down after being appointed US Secretary of Labor. Janey is the first woman and first Black person to serve as Mayor of the city. Janey is one of the top four contenders in the race, all of whom are women of color. The primary election takes place on Sept. 14, 2021, and the general election will be held on Nov. 2, 2021. In her speech, Janey called Boston "a city of opportunity...a city of immigrants."
With nails matching her campaign colors, Acting Mayor of Boston Kim Janey speaks at a campaign event during which Latinx Community Leaders, including elected officials and union leaders, endorsed the candidate in the upcoming City of Boston Mayoral election at Mozart Park in the Jamaica Plain area of Boston, Massachusetts, on Fri., Sept. 10, 2021. Janey became Mayor of Boston when former Mayor Marty Walsh stepped down after being appointed US Secretary of Labor. Janey is the first woman and first Black person to serve as Mayor of the city. Janey is one of the top four contenders in the race, all of whom are women of color. The primary election takes place on Sept. 14, 2021, and the general election will be held on Nov. 2, 2021. In her speech, Janey called Boston "a city of opportunity...a city of immigrants."
Maria Lobban (left) speaks to Boston mayoral candidate and City Council at-large member Michelle Wu after the candidate spoke at a campaign event at the Susan L. Curry Community Center in Boston, Massachusetts, on Thu., Oct. 28, 2021. Wu is largely seen as the frontrunner in the race against Annissa Essaibi George. The election will be held on Nov. 2, 2021. Lobban shared details of her difficult personal situation when asking as a question of Wu and spoke about the difficulty faced by the Black community as the cost of living in Boston increases.
Boston City Council at-large member and mayoral candidate Annissa Essaibi George (center) does a fist bump with Khor'dae Clark, 5, (left) of West Roxbury, as his mother Kesha Parker (right) looks on at a Get Out The Vote campaign event at Akiki Towing's Training and Development Offices in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, on Sat., Sept. 11, 2021. Essaibi George is one of the top four contenders in the race, all of whom are women of color. The primary election takes place on Sept. 14, 2021, and the general election will be held on Nov. 2, 2021. Akiki Towing has donated their office space to the campaign to use for organizing efforts for the election. Parker says she's a good friend of Essaibi George and big supporter.
Boston mayoral candidate and City Council at-large member Michelle Wu greets people after speaking to the Haitian senior community at a campaign event at the Forever Young Adult Day Health Center in the Hyde Park area of Boston, Massachusetts, on Thu., Oct. 28, 2021. Wu is largely seen as the frontrunner in the race against Annissa Essaibi George. The election will be held on Nov. 2, 2021.
Followed by reporters and a campaign photographer, Boston City Council member (District 4) and mayoral candidate Andrea Campbell (left) and campaign manager Katie Prisco-Buxbaum (second from left) walk between campaign stops in Boston Common in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sun., Sept. 12, 2021. Campbell is one of the top four contenders in the race, all of whom are women of color. The primary election takes place on Sept. 14, 2021, and the general election will be held on Nov. 2, 2021.

Election day - voting and catching up with candidate Annissa Essaibi George

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOV 2, 2021. Voters cast ballots at the Boston Temple Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Fenway area of Boston, Massachusetts, on election day, Tue., Nov. 2, 2021. The Boston Mayor's election race is between two City Councilors, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George who are women of color, and either being elected will be the first woman of color elected as Mayor of Boston. Michelle Wu is widely seen as the front-runner in the race with a large lead over Essaibi George in polls of likely voters. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times NYTELX21
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOV 2, 2021. A sandwich board indicates that today is election day in the Jamaica Plain area of Boston, Massachusetts, on election day, Tue., Nov. 2, 2021. The Boston Mayor's election race is between two City Councilors, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George who are women of color, and either being elected will be the first woman of color elected as Mayor of Boston. Michelle Wu is widely seen as the front-runner in the race with a large lead over Essaibi George in polls of likely voters. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times NYTELX21
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOV 2, 2021. Voters cast ballots at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston Yawkey Club of Roxbury polling location in the Roxbury area of Boston, Massachusetts, on election day, Tue., Nov. 2, 2021. The Boston Mayor's election race is between two City Councilors, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George who are women of color, and either being elected will be the first woman of color elected as Mayor of Boston. Michelle Wu is widely seen as the front-runner in the race with a large lead over Essaibi George in polls of likely voters. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times NYTELX21
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOV 2, 2021. Annissa Essaibi George speaks to the press outside the Catherine Clark Apartments polling location in the Dorchester area of Boston, Massachusetts, on election day, Tue., Nov. 2, 2021. The Boston Mayor's election race is between two City Councilors, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George who are women of color, and either being elected will be the first woman of color elected as Mayor of Boston. Michelle Wu is widely seen as the front-runner in the race with a large lead over Essaibi George in polls of likely voters. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times NYTELX21
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOV 2, 2021. Mayoral candidate Annissa Essaibi George greets voters outside the Florian Hall polling location in the Dorchester area of Boston, Massachusetts, on election day, Tue., Nov. 2, 2021. The Boston Mayor's election race is between two City Councilors, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George who are women of color, and either being elected will be the first woman of color elected as Mayor of Boston. Michelle Wu is widely seen as the front-runner in the race with a large lead over Essaibi George in polls of likely voters. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times NYTELX21
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOV 2, 2021. Patrick Atwell, political director of SEIU 888 Boston union, holds a sign for mayoral candidate Annissa Essaibi George outside the Catherine Clark Apartments polling location in the Dorchester area of Boston, Massachusetts, on election day, Tue., Nov. 2, 2021. Essaibi George accompanied Mary Walsh (mother of former mayor Marty Walsh) and her own mother Barbara Essaibi while they voted.. The Boston Mayor's election race is between two City Councilors, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George who are women of color, and either being elected will be the first woman of color elected as Mayor of Boston. Michelle Wu is widely seen as the front-runner in the race with a large lead over Essaibi George in polls of likely voters. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times NYTELX21
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOV 2, 2021. People gather outside the Higginson/Lewis K-8 School location in the Roxbury area of Boston, Massachusetts, on election day, Tue., Nov. 2, 2021. The Boston Mayor's election race is between two City Councilors, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George who are women of color, and either being elected will be the first woman of color elected as Mayor of Boston. Michelle Wu is widely seen as the front-runner in the race with a large lead over Essaibi George in polls of likely voters. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times NYTELX21
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOV 2, 2021. People vote at the Higginson/Lewis K-8 School location in the Roxbury area of Boston, Massachusetts, on election day, Tue., Nov. 2, 2021. The Boston Mayor's election race is between two City Councilors, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George who are women of color, and either being elected will be the first woman of color elected as Mayor of Boston. Michelle Wu is widely seen as the front-runner in the race with a large lead over Essaibi George in polls of likely voters. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times NYTELX21
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOV 2, 2021. Signs read "Be the change: Just vote" on the median on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in the Roxbury area of Boston, Massachusetts, on election day, Tue., Nov. 2, 2021. The Boston Mayor's election race is between two City Councilors, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George who are women of color, and either being elected will be the first woman of color elected as Mayor of Boston. Michelle Wu is widely seen as the front-runner in the race with a large lead over Essaibi George in polls of likely voters. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times NYTELX21
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOV 2, 2021. A campaign sign for mayoral candidate Michelle Wu hangs outside the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston Yawkey Club of Roxbury polling location in the Roxbury area of Boston, Massachusetts, on election day, Tue., Nov. 2, 2021. The Boston Mayor's election race is between two City Councilors, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George who are women of color, and either being elected will be the first woman of color elected as Mayor of Boston. Michelle Wu is widely seen as the front-runner in the race with a large lead over Essaibi George in polls of likely voters. CREDIT: M. Scott Brauer for the New York Times NYTELX21

Xenobots – living robots made from frog cells, for Bloomberg Businessweek
January 31, 2022

Douglas Blackiston holds a petri dish full of Xenobots, micro-scale "living robots" made from embryonic frog stem cells, in a lab at the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, on Thu., Sept. 9, 2021. Blackiston is a Senior Scientist at the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, and Sam Kriegman, the other scientist involved in the creation of xenobots, is a postdoctoral fellow at the Weiss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University. Kriegman designed the artificial intelligence system that created the structure for the xenobots and Blackiston is responsible for building them. As Blackiston put it, "Sam tests [the robots and other experimental setups] in the virtual world, and then I test it in the real world." The machines are capable of autonomously performing simple tasks including navigating mazes and gathering small particles together.

Douglas Blackiston, part of the team that developed Xenobots, a micro-scale "living robot" made from frog embryo stem cells, at the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, uses a fluorescence microscope to look at Xenobots in his laboratory in Medford, Massachusetts, on Thu., Sept. 9, 2021. Blackiston is a Senior Scientist at the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University. Sam Kriegman, the other part of the team, is a postdoctoral fellow at the Weiss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University. Kriegman designed the artificial intelligence system that created the structure for the xenobots and Blackiston is responsible for building them. As Blackiston put it, "Sam tests [the robots and other experimental setups] in the virtual world, and then I test it in the real world." The machines are capable of autonomously performing simple tasks including navigating mazes and gathering small particles together.

For Bloomberg Businessweek, I spent an afternoon in the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University with scientists Sam Kriegman and Douglas Blackiston, who developed Xenobots, micro-scale “living robots” made from frog embryo stem cells.Kriegman designed the artificial intelligence system that created the structure for the xenobots and Blackiston is responsible for building them. As Blackiston put it, “Sam tests [the robots and other experimental setups] in the virtual world, and then I test it in the real world.” The machines are capable of autonomously performing simple tasks including navigating mazes and gathering small particles together.

A big thanks to Jane and Dietmar at Bloomberg for the assignment!

Sam Kriegman (right) and Douglas Blackiston are the team that developed Xenobots, a micro-scale "living robot" made from frog embryo stem cells, at the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, seen here in the Microinjection room in their laboratory in Medford, Massachusetts, on Thu., Sept. 9, 2021. Kriegman is a postdoctoral fellow at the Weiss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University. Blackiston is a Senior Scientist at the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University. Kriegman designed the artificial intelligence system that created the structure for the xenobots and Blackiston is responsible for building them. As Blackiston put it, "Sam tests [the robots and other experimental setups] in the virtual world, and then I test it in the real world." The machines are capable of autonomously performing simple tasks including navigating mazes and gathering small particles together.

Douglas Blackiston uses microsurgery forceps to sculpt away part of three-day-old embryonic frog stem cells to make Xenobots, micro-scale "living robots," in a petri dish under a dissecting microscope at the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, on Thu., Sept. 9, 2021. The robots were made by Douglas Blackiston, a Senior Scientist at the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, and Sam Kriegman, a postdoctoral fellow at the Weiss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University. Kriegman designed the artificial intelligence system that created the structure for the xenobots and Blackiston is responsible for building them. As Blackiston put it, "Sam tests [the robots and other experimental setups] in the virtual world, and then I test it in the real world." The machines are capable of autonomously performing simple tasks including navigating mazes and gathering small particles together.

Xenobots, micro-scale "living robots" made from embryonic frog stem cells, float in a petri dish in a lab at the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, on Thu., Sept. 9, 2021. The robots were created by Douglas Blackiston, a Senior Scientist at the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, and Sam Kriegman, a postdoctoral fellow at the Weiss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University. Kriegman designed the artificial intelligence system that created the structure for the xenobots and Blackiston is responsible for building them. As Blackiston put it, "Sam tests [the robots and other experimental setups] in the virtual world, and then I test it in the real world." The machines are capable of autonomously performing simple tasks including navigating mazes and gathering small particles together.

Three-day-old embryonic frog stem cells used to make Xenobots, micro-scale "living robots," are seen in a petri dish under a dissecting microscope at the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, on Thu., Sept. 9, 2021. The robots were made by Douglas Blackiston, a Senior Scientist at the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, and Sam Kriegman, a postdoctoral fellow at the Weiss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University. Kriegman designed the artificial intelligence system that created the structure for the xenobots and Blackiston is responsible for building them. As Blackiston put it, "Sam tests [the robots and other experimental setups] in the virtual world, and then I test it in the real world." The machines are capable of autonomously performing simple tasks including navigating mazes and gathering small particles together.

Sam Kriegman holds acrylic mazes used to evaluate the behavior of Xenobots, micro-scale "living robots" made from embryonic frog stem cells, are seen in a lab at the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, on Thu., Sept. 9, 2021. The robots were created by Douglas Blackiston, a Senior Scientist at the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, and Sam Kriegman, a postdoctoral fellow at the Weiss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University. Kriegman designed the artificial intelligence system that created the structure for the xenobots and Blackiston is responsible for building them. As Blackiston put it, "Sam tests [the robots and other experimental setups] in the virtual world, and then I test it in the real world." The machines are capable of autonomously performing simple tasks including navigating mazes and gathering small particles together.

Douglas Blackiston is part of the team that developed Xenobots, a micro-scale "living robot" made from frog embryo stem cells, at the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, seen here in the microscopy suite in his laboratory in Medford, Massachusetts, on Thu., Sept. 9, 2021. Blackiston is a Senior Scientist at the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University. Sam Kriegman, the other part of the team, is a postdoctoral fellow at the Weiss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University. Kriegman designed the artificial intelligence system that created the structure for the xenobots and Blackiston is responsible for building them. As Blackiston put it, "Sam tests [the robots and other experimental setups] in the virtual world, and then I test it in the real world." The machines are capable of autonomously performing simple tasks including navigating mazes and gathering small particles together.

Three-day-old embryonic frog stem cells used to make Xenobots, micro-scale "living robots," are seen in a petri dish under a dissecting microscope at the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, on Thu., Sept. 9, 2021. The robots were made by Douglas Blackiston, a Senior Scientist at the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, and Sam Kriegman, a postdoctoral fellow at the Weiss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University. Kriegman designed the artificial intelligence system that created the structure for the xenobots and Blackiston is responsible for building them. As Blackiston put it, "Sam tests [the robots and other experimental setups] in the virtual world, and then I test it in the real world." The machines are capable of autonomously performing simple tasks including navigating mazes and gathering small particles together.

Sam Kriegman's laptop displays the computer model (left) and an image of an actual Xenobot, a micro-scale "living robots" made from embryonic frog stem cells, in a lab at the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, on Thu., Sept. 9, 2021. The design on the left was created by an artificial intelligence system and then used to create the actual robots. The robots were created by Douglas Blackiston, a Senior Scientist at the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, and Sam Kriegman, a postdoctoral fellow at the Weiss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University. Kriegman designed the artificial intelligence system that created the structure for the xenobots and Blackiston is responsible for building them. As Blackiston put it, "Sam tests [the robots and other experimental setups] in the virtual world, and then I test it in the real world." The machines are capable of autonomously performing simple tasks including navigating mazes and gathering small particles together.

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