rachael rollins

RCC has justly hired former Suffolk County District Attorney and U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins to run its newly created Restorative Justice Project.

Supporters of Rachael Rollins lamented her resignation as U.S. attorney for Massachusetts as the departure of an unapologetic advocate for reforming the criminal justice system.

In our country, there are thousands of politicians and appointed government officials who claim to work hard for their constituents. But here in Massachusetts, we have a history of public servants who have made a real difference in the lives of the people they serve. From Ed Brooke and Ruth Batson to Mel King and Ayanna Pressley, many local public officials have fought long and hard to create real positive change in our community. None has worked harder than Rachael Rollins.

A day after the owner of a Boston-area pizzeria chain was charged with forced labor and abuse of an immigrant worker in federal court, local advocates say it’s likely there are many more exploited workers in our region who go unidentified.

Four months into his administration, some are questioning District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s commitment to the bold criminal justice reforms voters chose when they elected Rollins in 2018.

There is one office that requires special qualifications, and the voters alone have to determine which of the candidates is most likely to serve the public interests the best. That post is district attorney.

After a contentious confirmation process, during which GOP lawmakers fought her appointment, Rachael Rollins made history Monday when she was sworn in as U.S. attorney for Massachusetts, the first Black woman to hold that position.

Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins made history last week as the first Black woman to become the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts.

Few of us are able to keep up with the dynamic pace of a fast-changing world. As a consequence, social change comes slowly and painfully. Few events illustrate this better than the reluctance of Republican senators to approve Rachael Rollins as President Biden’s choice for U.S. attorney for Massachusetts.

An imaginative activist would be delighted to have a U.S. attorney with the background and wisdom of Rachael Rollins.

Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins announced Sept. 7 that she is looking to vacate the rape charges against Tyrone Clark, a Massachusetts prisoner who was convicted in 1974. The steps are part of the efforts of the Suffolk County Integrity Review Bureau (IRB), an independent division within the DA’s office tasked with reviewing claims of innocence and wrongful convictions in past cases prosecuted by the DA.

Rather than bemoan the loss of Rollins in the district attorney’s office, this is the time to petition Governor Charlie Baker to appoint a replacement who will continue with the changes that Rollins has initiated.