Press Release–October 9, 2019
“Boston City Council At-Large candidate, Julia Mejia, today held a reporters sit-down meeting with city and state leaders of color, including former At-Large and District city council candidates who have endorsed Julia’s campaign, to discuss the challenges and barriers to
creating a more equitable city and state. Discussion focused on the systemic structural issues of poverty and how they affect many who live in Boston, especially as they relate to communities of color. Julia drew attention to the fact that low-income and working class people are being shut out of the political process and that the current pay-to-play system excludes the voices of our diverse communities from government.” -Eldin L. Villafañe/eldin.villafane@gmail.com
Boston Globe–October 4, 2019
“Political newcomer Julia Mejia, who placed fifth in the race for one of the council’s four at-large seats, said she has won the support of four of her former opponents who failed to move on to the Nov. 5 general election. The top eight candidates from the preliminary move on to the final at-large election.
Mejia said she won the support “of my fellow candidates of color that are so deeply rooted in fighting for our community.” They are: Priscilla Flint-Banks, Domingos DaRosa, Michel Denis, and William King.
“From economic justice to public safety issues and the opioid crisis, these leaders bring the issues that our communities face front and center in this race,” Mejia said. “I am committed to continuing their conversations and this is a perfect example of what I mean when I say ‘all means all.’” -Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe
Read the full article here!
Dorchester Reporter–October 3, 2019
“Priscilla Flint-Banks, Domingos DaRosa, William King and Michel Denis endorsed Mejia since the election, her campaign announced on Thursday. Two candidates who were unsuccessful last week’s city election in district races —Cecily Graham in District 5 and Lee Nave in District 9— also backed Mejia, she said.
…“I’m endorsing Julia because she has for many years committed her advocacy work to help empower and fight for the issues that impact communities of color,” said Banks, who came in 11th in the 15-person field. “I look forward to working alongside Julia to push the agenda that is important to the Black Economic Justice Institute as we move our community forward.” -Katie Trojano, Reporter Staff
Read the full article here!
Dorchester Reporter–October 2, 2019
“I think that there’s a perception that exam schools are the end all be all,” Mejia said,“ I think we need to challenge that perception because what it says to kids that [aren’t accepted] is that they’re not worthy. We put too much emphasis into focusing on [exam schools] and we aren’t making sure that all schools are performing to their highest ability,” Mejia said. She added that she also would support re-evaluating the ISEE exam and supports college and vocational preparation.”-Katie Trojano, Reporter Staff
Read the full article here!
Dorchester Reporter–September 19, 2019
“Julia Mejia is among 15 candidates running for one of the four at-large seats. She paints herself as the grassroots choice among more establishment candidates. “I’m the first in my family to graduate high school and college, buy a house, and get my mom out of Section 8 [housing],” she told a neighbor while out canvassing on a recent afternoon. Mejia runs Collaborative Parent Leadership Action Network, an advocacy group dedicated to equity in the school system. Born in the Dominican Republic, she came to the US when she was five, and she was raised by a single mother who was once undocumented.” -Simon Rios, WBUR Reporter
Read the full article here!
The Daily Free Press–September 3, 2019
“Julia Mejia, Dorchester’s Boston City Council At-Large candidate, said to the Daily Free Press that as a result of the national climate, it is necessary to have a commission in place that recognizes the value of immigrants. As an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, Mejia said she recognizes the need for these protections because was raised by a mother who was undocumented for a period of time. “This is very dear to me,” Mejia said. So on a personal level, I think it’s about time,” Mejia said “… I think having an extra layer of protection gives me a sense of comfort knowing that the Commission exists.” Mejia said that the commission should pay special attention to school enrollment documents and other documents that question families on their country of origin and may share this information with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”-Mia Cathell
Read the full article here!
El Mundo Boston–August 29, 2019
“Si queremos abordar la epidemia de opioides de nuestra ciudad, necesitamos cambios sustanciales en nuestra política“, dijo Julia Mejía, candidata a Concejal At-Large de la ciudad de Boston luego de participar en una sesión de capacitación de NARCAN para todos los participantes. “Necesitamos priorizar un enfoque de reducción de daños y un enfoque prioritario para las personas. No podemos detenernos para salir de esta crisis. Necesitamos un plan integral con los recursos financieros asignados para promulgarlo”, enfatizó Mejía durante la sesión en la que entregó gratis NARCAN que se usa para tratar una sobredosis de narcóticos en una situación de emergencia.” -El Mundo Boston
Read the full article here!
Bay State Banner–August 21, 2019
“Julia Mejia, originally from the Dominican Republic, explained how her mother, who was undocumented, and other mentors taught her to be the advocate she is today. “I went to Dorchester High School, and the only reason I’m standing in front of you here today is because Reverend Liz Walker shared her story at my high school. At the time I was 20 years old, I was cleaning offices and I was selling shoes, but she disrupted my entire cycle of poverty,” Mejia said to those in attendance. “Those are the issues I’m going to be fighting for.” She emphasized how her own experience has made her determined to provide students with the important resources that are needed to climb up the socioeconomic ladder. “I know there are a lot of young people out here sitting in classrooms and they don’t have the support to be able to thrive,” she said. “I know, as the first person to graduate high school, it was my ticket out of poverty.”-Anu Sawhney
Read the full article here!
