Marty Walsh Revises Agreement Prohibiting Olympic Criticism
BOSTON (CBS) -- Mayor Marty Walsh has revised a formal agreement he signed in December 2014 with the United States Olympic Committee removing language that indicates city employees cannot criticize Boston's bid for the 2024 Summer Games.
The so-called Joinder Agreement previously included language that discouraged city employees from saying or writing anything that "reflect unfavorably upon, denigrate or disparage, or are detrimental to the reputation" of the International Olympic Committee, the USOC, or the Olympic Games, according to documents obtained by The Boston Globe.
"I want to thank those who have already offered their thoughts on Boston's bid and I continue to encourage all residents, including city employees, to share their opinions over the coming months," Walsh said in a public statement.
In January 2015, Walsh denied reports that he was trying to keep city employees from speaking out against the Olympics.
"Mayor Walsh is not looking to limit the free speech of his employees," spokeswoman Laura Oggeri said at the time.
The agreement included "standard boilerplate language" that all applicant cities have historically signed, Oggeri said.