Roxbury Community Swears In Ayanna Pressley
BOSTON (AP) — Members of the Roxbury community stood in line for two hours at U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley's "Community Swearing-In" ceremony.
Saturday's event at Roxbury Community College was geared toward those unable to travel to Washington, D.C. on January 3 for Pressley's official swearing-in.
"I feel like it's a brand-new world," said Alfreda Harris, of Roxbury.
Pressley defeated longtime incumbent Rep. Michael Capuano in the Democratic primary last year to become the first black woman elected to represent Massachusetts in Congress. Pressley used her first comments on the floor of the House of Representatives this week to blast President Donald Trump and the ongoing partial federal government shutdown.
"You sent me there to make meaningful, lasting change," Pressley said.
The community also made a pledge to be bold and fight for better education for youth, affordable housing and an equitable and just society.
"With the current political climate, it is wonderful to have a visionary leader, a young leader, a new voice," said Michelle Courton-Brown, of Roxbury.
Pressley and Rep. Lori Trahan are the newest members of the state's all-Democratic delegation.
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