’10 people on Twitter’ exult in demise of Boston Olympics
Jul 28, 2015, 5:00 AM
FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2015, file photo, people hold up placards against the Olympic Games coming to Boston, during the first public forum regarding the city's 2024 Olympic bid, in Boston. Boston's mayor delivered a harsh blow to the city's effort to host the 2024 Olympics on Monday, July 27, 2015, when he declared he wouldn't sign any document "that puts one dollar of taxpayer money on the line for one penny of overruns on the Olympics." That document is the host city contract that most in the Olympics consider crucial to any city's success. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)n
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
BOSTON (AP) — Mayor Marty Walsh drew plenty of flak, and spawned a trending hashtag, by dismissing the opposition to the city’s doomed bid for the 2024 Olympics as “10 people on Twitter.”
“The opposition for the most part is about 10 people on Twitter and a couple people out there who are constantly beating the drumbeat,” Walsh said Monday before Boston and the U.S. Olympic Committee agreed amid feeble public support and boisterous resistance to spike the city’s candidacy.
The mayor didn’t name names, but here’s some reaction from 10 of the most outspoken anti-Olympics activists on Twitter:
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“I learned a great new word today. ‘Kakistocracy’: Government under the control of a nation’s worst or least-qualified citizens.'” — Jonathan Cohn, member of the group NoBoston2024.
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“Very few cities have ever successfully defeated an Olympic bid. We made history today & I’m proud to be part of it w/ u, Boston.” — Britni de la Cruz, Boston community organizer and 2024 Games opponent.
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“I’m 100% nicer of a person right now.” — Jay Fallon, vocal critic of bringing the Olympics to Boston.
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“If #10peopleontwitter got @marty_walsh to stop thinking about #Boston2024, imagine what we could do for the region if all of us get engaged.” — Chip Goines of Somerville, Massachusetts.
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“Thank you, @NoBosOlympics and @no_boston2024, on behalf of those who would’ve been snowed, bulldozed and steamrolled without you #Boston2024.” — John Ruch, Atlanta writer who used that city’s 1996 Olympics experience as a cautionary tale.
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“It’s been a ride & I’m more engaged, informed. I will not stop advocating for Boston. What’s next?” — Joel Pettigrew, a Boston resident who fought the bid.
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“Boston2024 died doing what it loved: lying through its teeth.” — Joel Fleming, Boston attorney.
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“I wonder if we can now get all the #Boston2024 donors to give their money to help schools, infrastructure & more.” — C.C. Chapman, influential author and speaker.
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“So proud of every person who upturned their lives to see this day. No exaggeration: lives and a city saved.” — Dave Zirin, sports editor for The Nation.
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“Guys… What am I and the other #10PeopleOnTwitter going to do with all of our newfound free time?” — Meg Krench, Massachusetts Institute of Technology geneticist.
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