Mayor Martin Walsh is cheered on by Hillary Clinton, his choice for president, during a rally at Faneuil Hall on Sunday. Photo courtesy Cam Charbonnier
Mayor Martin Walsh threw his support behind presidential candidate Hillary Clinton as she sat nearby at a “Hard Hats for Hillary” event at Faneuil Hall on Sunday. Walsh praised the former US senator and US secretary of state for her commitment to labor’s interests.

Addressing labor union members, elected officials, and Clinton supporters, the mayor offered his endorsement: “In 2016, it’s time we stop talking about having a woman as president. It’s time we go out and make that a reality.” 

Walsh urged the unions to “get your sledgehammers ready, because we’ve got a glass ceiling to demolish!” 

Inside the hall, supporters waved signs that read “Fighting for Us” and “Painters and Allied Trades, DC 35, Hard Hats for Hillary.”

In her speech, the candidate addressed her platform on trade and labor issues, noting that her support of apprenticeship programs was in line with Walsh’s efforts.

“I want our workers to be the most competitive and productive in the world. I want us once again to think big,” said Clinton to applause. “We need to think big again as Americans if we want to do big things.”

Before the event, Scott Duhamel, assistant to the general president of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, touted Clinton’s candidacy: “We think she’s the woman for the job, and we’re going all in. I think this is the start of us getting very involved to get her elected.”

Duhamel said that his members will mostly focus their efforts and resources in the battleground states like New Hampshire. “Boston is a no brainer,” he said, “I think that she will do very well here when the smoke clears.”

State Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry attended the rally along with several of her legislative colleagues. The senator said she is looking forward to putting together a delegation of supporters to do field work in New Hampshire for the Clinton. She also discussed the importance of trying to bring out the vote in Massachusetts, noting that she believes Hillary will do particularly well in Dorchester, within the senator’s district.

“Her issues are our issues,” Dorcena Forry said. “She has been talking about critical issues that really make a difference in our neighborhoods.”

Boston City Councillor-at-Large, Michelle Wu, said that it was “exciting to see Boston come together in support of Hillary. I think
her message of fighting for families is what Mayor Walsh represents.” 

“This is a sign of real organization,” Wu said, “and a focus on really getting people out from all different backgrounds all across the city and the Commonwealth. I think she’ll do very well here.”