Supporters of the Faneuil BPL branch didn't let rain stop their candlelight vigil in Oak Square this afternoon - that's what umbrellas are for. Residents, city councilors Mark Ciommo, Ayanna Pressley and Felix Arroyo, state Reps Kevin Honan and Michael Moran all vowed to reverse today's vote by BPL trustees to shut Faneuil and three other branches.
Ciommo and Moran, both strong Menino supporters, said they were disappointed by the mayor's role in shutting the branches; Moran said he has never been so disappointed in the mayor. Moran said the issue is not money, but that Menino and BPL President Amy Ryan just don't like small branches. And he had some choice words for library Trustee Paul LaCamera for criticizing him and other legislators for not showing up this morning at a pre-ordained vote on closings:
Branch supporter Maria Rodrigues warned users of other branches they could be next - she predicted that BPL President Amy Ryan would seek to close more branches in coming years as she turns the BPL into "a set of Internet cafes."
One woman was moved to tears by the thought her beloved branch would be shut:
Charlie Vasiladis, the "mayor of Oak Square," told the crowd what Amy Ryan could do with her plan to shut branches:
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