FROM OUR PRINTED JAN 2024 EDITION
Mom on Mayor Wu’s Enemies List Battles Ongoing Persecution in Court
by Beth Guidry Hoffman
Boston Broadside
Contributing Writer
Hailed as one of Massachusetts’ most visible freedom fighters, Michelle Efendi was on Mayor Wu’s infamous Enemies List (tinyurl.com/bddv4n4e). A mother of four, she is being threatened with six months in prison by our two-tiered justice system.
Efendi claims she was, like so many others, targeted for actively, but peacefully, protesting mask and vaccine mandates. Originally on the left politically, her views on government began evolving as COVID mandates grew more threatening. Efendi appeared on Dr. Drew’s 12/20/23 podcast, grateful for the exposure through his platform.
Efendi started out in 2020, following COVID health protocols. But in December 2021, it was announced vaccine passports would be required in Boston by January. “I was terrified that my husband would be forcefully vaccinated or lose his job.” When she wasn’t getting answers to numerous calls and emails, she went to the State House to express her views along with others. She and Shawn Nelson, both on Wu’s List, were arrested after entering a tent outside where officials were checking vaccine passports. Keep in mind these were mandates, not enacted laws—therefore not lawful—which both government officials, as well as many compliant citizens, failed to understand. Efendi was aggressively tackled to the ground, handcuffed and arrested. Just three days later, the vaccine mandate was lifted.
Efendi began to see “the emergency was no longer COVID. The emergency was our government … elected officials that are violating our rights.” She was charged with disorderly conduct, trespassing and assault. However, Efendi did not “assault” anyone. Rather, she was assaulted by police, allegedly working on behalf of Wu’s List.
Efendi believes herself and others on Wu’s List “continue to be tied up in court because the process is the punishment.” She questions the possibility of getting a fair trial since being named on Wu’s List. Efendi is currently seeking an experienced legal team “committed to standing up to these draconian, unlawful measures.”
According to Efendi, motions to dismiss and access to evidence have been denied for Efendi’s defense. It is believed the public solidarity between District Attorney Kevin Hayden and Mayor Wu is behind the refusal to dismiss her charges, ongoing for over 659 days.
Efendi noted “the issue here is also selective persecution.” Her own Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), on February 1, 2022, put out a press release co-signed by DA Hayden, the Suffolk County Sheriff and other Boston elected officials of color. It claimed that “white supremacy, racism, misogyny and hate” were aimed at Mayor Wu because “she is a woman (and) person of color.” (tinyurl.com/sh9mv72k) Those on Wu’s List believe this was directed at them. Meanwhile, Efendi’s husband is Asian and Muslim, and her four children naturally are mixed race.
In trying to see the other side, Dr. Drew wondered, if asked, how Mayor Wu would defend this? Efendi said, they called us misogynists and white supremacists. “They are lying and threatening and using projection. It’s unlawful fiction.” Efendi closed with “more people need to be aware of what is happening. If I’m convicted (of trespassing just for being unvaccinated), it will set such a poor precedent for others. That’s something everybody should be fearful of.” (Drdrew.com 12/20/23 Moms Arrested)
A campaign has been set up by friends to raise funds for Efendi’s legal fees. To contribute, please go to:
