Pastor Bruce Wall mulls city-council bid.

[Ian David]

Team Disunity?
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN
March 14, 2007 4:23:17 PM

One of the most outspoken religious leaders of Boston’s black community, Pastor Bruce H. Wall of Global Ministries Christian Church in Codman Square, is considering a campaign for the 13-member Boston City Council, the Phoenix has learned — a move that could involve an explosive and potentially divisive campaign.



“I am praying about it,” Wall confirms, adding that his decision will depend on family considerations, fundraising potential, and the support of the four current minority council members — who call themselves “Team Unity.”

That last piece might be a bigger problem than Wall anticipates. While he says that the four councilors — Felix Arroyo, Chuck Turner, Charles Yancey, and Sam Yoon — are considering backing him as a potential fifth member of their progressive bloc, sources close to those councilors suggest otherwise. To be blunt, the self-promoting and sometimes incendiary Wall might be too hot a potato for them.

Wall, an original founder of the Ten Point Coalition, has been openly critical of the city’s response to gun violence. He called for a black police commissioner to replace Kathleen O’Toole, and he recently criticized Menino’s plans for a summer camp for at-risk youth.

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If Wall can paint the race as a choice between a well-known African-American representing the community, and a pawn of the mayor, it would put high-profile minorities — particularly the four Team Unity councilors — in a tough spot. Four years ago, Yancey himself successfully used that formula to beat Ego Ezedi.

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