Letter to the Boston Herald Opposing the BU BioLab

February 9th, 2006

To the editor (Boston Herald):

Boston City Councilor Felix Arroyo was right on in his February 8th op-ed on the recently approved BU Biolab when he wrote in his op-ed piece that "mistakes happen" in even the most highly secure facilities, and that "Local residents, not Washington, must rule if the lab’s location is OK." The Green-Rainbow Party agrees with Arroyo and will continue to support the South End residential opposition to this unsafe laboratory.

This laboratory has been lauded by Mayor Menino and supporters as a potential source of economic growth for Boston, but this lab will do nothing to benefit the predominantly people-of-color community in its proximity, and instead will only jeopardize the safety and health of its residents. No resident of Boston or any other densely-populated area should have to worry about becoming infected with the world's deadliest diseases, including ebola, especially considering the Boston University bio-safety track record.

The Green-Rainbow Party opposes, and will continue to oppose, the construction of this laboratory.

Sincerely,

Ron Francis and Wendy Van Horne, Co-Chairs of the Green-Rainbow Party