4 Killed, 9 Wounded Around Boston in Weekend Violence

Police say many of the attacks were gang-related.

The holiday weekend was a particularly violent one for Boston. Four people were killed and nine were wounded in attacks throughout the city. A young woman was also raped on the banks of the Charles River in Brighton during the city's Fourth of July celebration.  Many of the weekend shootings appear to be gang-related, and the mayor held an emergency meeting yesterday afternoon to discuss ways to avoid more bloodshed. "It's so frustrating," he told reporters. (You can read more here in the Globe about the press conference.) Police commissioner Edward F. Davis told reporters that violence can spike on holiday weekends because of heavy drinking at parties, where people often bring guns. On Tuesday police published a list of crimes that took …

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Mom Talk

What it Means to Be American -- Today

The Fourth is a perfect time to reflect on the beacon the U.S. remains to the rest of the world, and celebrate with our fellow Bostonians.

Boston shines on July 4, and there is no better place to appreciate being American than in our city on this holiday. Many of us will take a three-day weekend to celebrate, and perhaps reflect: Monday also marks the 10th time we've celebrated Independence Day since 9/11.  The anniversary stands out for me already because 2001 was the summer I started parenthood, and the world that I brought our child into has changed so much since that terrible national tragedy. In its aftermath was the first time I felt more vulnerable in my nationality than in my ethnic minority identity. In our sadness we rallied around our president and put our patriotism on display, but suddenly the thought occurred that being American might not be the greatest thing …

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Two Days to Celebrate the Fourth on the Esplanade

The Boston Pops will perform on Sunday and Monday night, and the fireworks display is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. on Monday.

This year the Fourth of July celebration on the Esplanade will span two days, starting on July 3 with a Pops concert and wrapping up on July 4, with another performance -- except this one ends with the sights and sounds of a fireworks display over the Charles.  Lionel Richie will headline the concert with the Pops this year, which starts at 8:30 p.m. at the Hatch Shell on July 3 and July 4. The show will also include Michael Chiklis, Keith Lockhart, conductor of the Boston Pops, and Norm Lewis. The July 4 show will feature the same lineup -- as well as cannons, military plane flyovers and performances by the National Honor Guard. The fireworks display is scheduled to start at 10:30 p.m. on the Fourth. The 101st Field Artillery Regiment is …

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