Politics
Mejia was brought out of the City Council chambers by EMTs earlier this week.
Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia suffered an unexplained medical emergency earlier this week, collapsing during a meeting in City Hall. Details on Mejia’s condition were initially scarce, but the councilor provided an update Thursday night saying that she was doing well.
The medical professionals taking care of her believe the episode was a result of dehydration and exhaustion, she said in a statement.
“I am happy to report that I am stable, in high spirits, and focused on making a full recovery. I look forward to returning soon and getting back to the people’s business. I’ll be taking it easy over the next few weeks as I rest and recover,” Mejia said.
Mejia, an at-large councilor who was first elected in 2019, is a former community organizer and nonprofit founder. She won reelection last fall, garnering the second-most votes of any at-large candidate.
Mejia is a proponent of many progressive policies, such as a recent effort to allow immigrants with “legal status” to vote in municipal elections. But the councilor is also known for her independence, and is often one of the most prominent voices advocating for the council to serve as a check on the Wu administration. When protesters disrupted a council meeting last month to voice their displeasure with grant cuts contained in Wu’s budget proposal, Mejia livestreamed the demonstration and chanted along with the activists. After the tense budget process wrapped up, Mejia urged her colleagues to regain their “fight.”
Mejia was reportedly conscious as EMTs removed her from the council chambers last week on a stretcher. The meeting continued after a 30-minute recess.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your prayers, kind words, calls, texts, and messages have truly lifted my spirits and reminded me how blessed I am to be surrounded by such an incredible community,” Mejia said.
“I want to especially thank my colleagues who rushed to my aid and have continued to check in, and want to thank my fellow elected officials at all levels of government for checking in as well. Thank you to our EMS workers and everyone for their support,” she added.
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