Mass. Rep. Ayanna Pressley to boycott Trump’s inauguration

Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley will not attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration later this month, her office said Tuesday.

Pressley, who represents much of Boston and some suburbs, said in a statement that she has other plans on Jan. 20, which is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

“I plan to spend the weekend of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in my district at community events that feed our collective soul and re-commit us to building a future rooted in love,” Pressley said.

The federal holiday, celebrated on the third Monday of January, sometimes falls on Inauguration Day, which is constitutionally set for Jan. 20. If Jan. 20 is a Sunday, the president is sworn in on Monday.

The congresswoman, who is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, was recently sworn in for her fourth term. Over the summer, Pressley boycotted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress, joining much of the state’s congressional delegation.

Pressley’s office said she will host an event at a significant location for both King and the Black community in Boston over the long weekend, on the eve of a second Trump presidency. 

“As we prepare to mitigate the most harmful and hateful policy decisions that will come from the Trump White House, I will be in the Massachusetts 7th to help organize and mobilize our collective power that honors Dr. King’s vision of justice and equity for everyone who calls Massachusetts and America home,” Pressley’s statement connected.

The event details are yet to be finalized, but there are planned speakers and workshops held by local, grassroots organizations, Pressley’s office said. More details regarding her event will be announced soon.