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Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon
Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon
Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon
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Bryan Hecht

Bryan Hecht, News Co-Editor

Bryan Hecht (he/him) is a sophomore journalism major from Havertown, Pennsylvania. He currently serves as the Co-editor of the News Section at The Berkeley Beacon. As a member of the Emerson Cross Country team, Bryan can likely be found on a run around the Boston area when he’s not writing stories.
Latest from Bryan Hecht
Cyclists riding on Massachusetts Ave in Cambridge on Nov. 22, 2024. (Courtesy of Madison Lucchesi)

Cambridge Day acquired by nonprofit, adds affiliate faculty Niko Emack to its board of directors

By Bryan Hecht, News Co-editor / December 12, 2024

Local newspaper Cambridge Day will now operate as a nonprofit, following an acquisition announced last month. The publication was largely operated by...

Beverly School Committee President Rachael Abell outside Beverly High School following the re-opening of district schools (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

A historic teacher strike upended a North Shore town. The Beverly School Committee president says ‘it wasn’t about the kids.’

By Bryan Hecht, News Co-editor / December 9, 2024

The Beverly School Committee President said the 12-day teacher strike was a “planned, coordinated, strategic attack” as high school students streamed...

A 45-foot-tall white spruce in Boston Common is lit up with a fireworks display at the culmination of the annual Holiday Lights display on Dec. 5, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

Boston, music stars, and Santa celebrate holiday tree lighting

By Bryan Hecht and Sam Shipman / December 6, 2024

Hundreds of people bundled up in thick scarves and fuzzy hats traversed bitter winds and near-freezing temperatures to gather around the 45-foot-tall...

A family poses with The Grinch during the tree lighting event in the Boston Common on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)

Photos: 83rd annual Tree Lighting ceremony brings holiday lights back to the Boston Common

By Arthur Mansavage, Nick Peace and Bryan Hecht / December 6, 2024
Hundreds gathered in the Boston Common for the annual tree lighting event Thursday evening. See photos captured by...
Hundreds of teacher’s union members from Marblehead, Gloucester, and Beverly rallied outside the Massachusetts Statehouse in a continued strike for compensation and benefits on November 19, 2024 (Nick Peace / Beacon Staff).

From the school lawn to the Statehouse: North Shore teachers continue to rally

By Bryan Hecht, News Co-editor / November 20, 2024

Hundreds of teachers union members from Marblehead (MEA), Gloucester, and Beverly (BTA) gathered outside the Massachusetts Statehouse Tuesday afternoon...

Justine Kim feeds a treat to Lady, her 20-month-old golden doodle, a day after the pup was named one of five winners in the Seaport dog mayor on Nov. 2, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

The election goes to the dogs: Seaport dog mayor race ends in five-way tie

By Bryan Hecht, News Co-editor / November 8, 2024

What was meant to be a more paw-sitive race this election season came to a ruff conclusion this past week, with a five-way tie in Seaport’s first-ever...

Mass. Sen Elizabeth Warren speaks to a crowd of Massachusetts Democrats at SoWa Power Station hours after her re-election to the Senate on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

MassDems express hope and confidence on election night ahead of Trump’s comeback victory

By Bryan Hecht, News Co-editor / November 6, 2024

Everything except the spirits at SoWa Power Station was blue early on election night, as it hosted a watch party event for the Massachusetts Democratic...

Election live updates: Trump wins a second term, Harris concedes

Election live updates: Trump wins a second term, Harris concedes

By Hannah Nguyen, DJ Mara, Rylie Burns, Bryan Hecht, Katherine Cressman, Sam Shipman, Jordan Pagkalinawan, Merritt Hughes, Iselin Bratz, Annie Sarlin, Rumsha Siddiqui, Arthur Mansavage and Meg Richards / November 5, 2024

Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance addresses journalists in the spin room after the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in Philadelphia on September 10, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff)

[Photo] Trump is not the scariest candidate on the ballot: Vance is

By Ella Duggan, Opinion Co-Editor / October 30, 2024

Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance addresses journalists in the spin room after the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala...

Courtesy of NEON

‘Anora’: A dream is a wish your heart breaks

By Bryan Hecht and Max Ardrey / October 30, 2024
We have been led to believe that if a woman’s garments are turned into a gown, a pumpkin into a carriage, and her raggedy shoes into glass slippers, she may be seen as royalty.
Speaker Emerita Rep. Nancy Pelosi discusses her new book "The Art of Power" with Mass. Gov. Maura Healey at First Parish Church for Harvard Bookstore on Oct. 23, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

Nancy Pelosi talks election, Jan. 6, and Gaza protests at Harvard Book Store event

By Bryan Hecht and Yogev Toby / October 26, 2024
Hundreds leaped out of their seats as former speaker of the House, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, entered the First Parish Church in Cambridge for an intimate conversation on politics, the future of democracy, and unity. 
The Blue Man group onstage during a performance at the Charles Playhouse in downtown Boston, where they have had a residency since 1995, on Oct. 17, 2024 (Nick Peace / For the Beacon).

The Blue Man Group become unlikely arbiters of AI, mass surveillance, and today’s internet age

By Bryan Hecht and Sam Shipman / October 23, 2024
The mute men in blue have been performing their act in Boston since 1995, combining comedy and musical sketches with percussion instruments and neon oceans at the Charles Playhouse.
Tim Walz with a fist raised steps out of his airplane at Boston Logan International Airport on Oct. 20, 2024 (Nick Peace/ For the Beacon).

Walz arrives in Boston for two-hour fundraising stop

By Bryan Hecht, News Co-editor / October 22, 2024
Vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz landed at Logan International Airport at 4:05 p.m. on Sunday
Thousands fill the banks of the Charles River cheering passing teams during the final day of the regatta. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)

Photos: Thousands of athletes and fans take on the 2024 Head Of The Charles Regatta

By Madla Walsh, Nick Peace, Arthur Mansavage, Rian Nelson, Shannon Clark and Bryan Hecht / October 21, 2024
The world’s largest three-day rowing event drew over 12,000 rowers and thousands of spectators to the banks of the Charles River over the weekend.
A protester holds a sign that reads “Free Palestine” on Storrow Drive. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)

Photos: Pro-Palestine protesters shut down Storrow Drive in Boston

By Arthur Mansavage, Bryan Hecht and Sophia Schiappa / October 9, 2024

Protesters hold signs and yell chants as they demonstrate on Storrow Drive, halting traffic on October 6, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters halt traffic on Storrow Drive in Oct. 7 anniversary protest

By Katherine Cressman and Bryan Hecht / October 7, 2024
Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters marched from the Boston Common and through Boston on Sunday before blocking traffic and rallying outside the Israeli consulate.
Students watch the first and likely only vice presidential debate of the 2024 election between Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in the Bill Bordy Theater on October 1, 2024 (Abigail Hoyt / Beacon Correspondent).

Vance and Walz squared off for the first time in a cordial debate Tuesday night

By Bryan Hecht and Katherine Cressman / October 2, 2024

Republican Sen. JD Vance and Democratic Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota took to the debate stage for the first and likely only time on Tuesday in New York City. Tuesday’s...

The CBS News promotional graphic for the 2024 Vice Presidential debate displayed on a laptop screen on Tuesday, Oct. 1. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)

As it happened: Walz and Vance had their first and likely only VP debate. Here’s what happened.

By Bryan Hecht, Katherine Cressman, Jordan Pagkalinawan, Hannah Nguyen and Rylie Burns / October 1, 2024

‘Megalopolis’: Coppola’s ‘Roman Empire’ crumbles and falls in glorious green technicolor

‘Megalopolis’: Coppola’s ‘Roman Empire’ crumbles and falls in glorious green technicolor

By Bryan Hecht, News Co-Editor / October 1, 2024
When it was first announced that legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola had sold his $650 million wine empire to self-fund his passion project of over 40 years because no studio wanted to, it read as another sad signifier of Hollywood’s hesitancy to invest in original concepts. 
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey shakes hands with moderator and Globe climate reporter Sabrina Shankman at the conclusion of Thursday's panel discussion on building the climate workforce at Day 2 of the Boston Globe Summit on September 26, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

‘We all know where we need to go’: Gov. Maura Healey on building the climate workforce panel at Boston Globe Summit 2024

By Bryan Hecht and Sam Shipman / September 27, 2024
In a packed room on day two of the 2024 Boston Globe Summit, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey joined Globe climate reporter Sabrina Shankman in a 30-minute discussion on building the climate workforce.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joined Globe work and income inequality reporter Katie Johnston in a discussion about skill-based employment and education at the second day of the Boston Globe Summit on September 26, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

‘Boosting the number of jobs in any community is a win-win’: Mayor Wu talks skills-based employment at Boston Globe Summit 2024

By Bryan Hecht and Sam Shipman / September 26, 2024
In the first event of the second day of the Boston Globe Summit 2024, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joined Globe work and income inequality reporter Katie Johnston in a discussion about skill-based employment and education.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the former Director of the Center for Disease Control discusses vaccination rates, bird flu outbreaks, and antimicrobial resistance in a panel discussion with Globe health and medical editor Anna Kuchment at Day 1 of the Boston Globe Summit on September 25, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

Former CDC director talks COVID, vaccines, and bird flu at Boston Globe Summit 2024

By Bryan Hecht and Sam Shipman / September 26, 2024
On the first day of the 2024 Boston Globe Summit, Anna Kuchment, the Globe’s health and medical editor, led a discussion with Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the former director of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), about “The State of Public Health.” 
Left to Right: Tomas Macasaet, Kellyn Taylor, and Gabriella Garza work on rolling and cutting dough to make pretzel bites to cater snacks for a meeting for Emerson’s Generic Magazine on September 24, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

The Sisyphean Journey of Emerson’s Baking Club

By Bryan Hecht, News Co-Editor / September 25, 2024
After more than three years in the making, Emerson’s first official culinary student organization is fresh out of the oven. 
The Little Building at the corner of Boylston and Tremont streets. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)

Despite Emerson’s enrollment shortfall, the class of 2028 remains optimistic

By Bryan Hecht, News Co-editor / September 19, 2024
Emerson College’s freshman class arrived on campus like any other, filling the streets around campus and the halls of Little Building with excitement, noise, and move-in carts.
Trump and Harris debated for the first and only time in Philadelphia, on September 10, 2024. (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

Trump and Harris are neck and neck in latest Emerson College Polling results

By Bryan Hecht, News Co-Editor / September 19, 2024

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris remain virtually tied in seven important swing states in the latest survey data from Emerson College Polling, which will...

An onlooker draped in a Mexican flag watches as Felipe Cuéllar, the deputy consul of Mexico in Boston, gives a speech after the raising of the Mexican flag in City Hall Plaza on Mexican Independence Day on September 16, 2024 (Nick Peace / For the Beacon)

Dozens gather at city hall for Mexican Independence Day flag-raising

By Bryan Hecht, News Co-Editor / September 18, 2024
Dozens of community members, leaders, city officials, and representatives from the Boston Mexican Consulate and other Mexican organizations in Boston gathered at City Hall on Monday afternoon for the raising of the Mexican flag to celebrate Mexican Independence Day.
Hofstra student journalists Micheal Dent and Alexa D’Amato interviewed campaign surrogates in the spin room after the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris on September 10, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

Student journalists take on the presidential debate

By Bryan Hecht, News Co-Editor / September 12, 2024

While the 1,000-occupied spin room at the Philadelphia Convention Center for Tuesday’s historic debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former...

In an unprecedented move, Donald Trump appeared in the spin room in Philadelphia alongside his campaign surrogates addressing reporters following the first presidential debate between him and Kamala Harris on September 10, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

Trump makes unprecedented visit to debate spin room

By Bryan Hecht, News Co-editor / September 12, 2024
Nearly a half hour after the debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris concluded, the former president paid a surprise visit to the spin room
At the conclusion of the first presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, campaign surrogates flooded into the spin room in Philadelphia, where 1,000 journalists convened on September 10, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff)

Inside the spin room, surrogates talk debate performance

By Bryan Hecht, News Co-editor / September 12, 2024
Minutes after the first presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump in Philadelphia concluded, campaign surrogates flooded into the spin room at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, where 1,000 journalists convened.
Ahead of the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in Philadelphia, Pro-Palestinian protesters and other demonstration grouops took to the streets hoping to have their voices heard by the candidates (Nick Peace / For the Beacon).

Protesters cross paths at Independence Mall ahead of presidential debate

By Bryan Hecht and Sam Shipman / September 11, 2024
Ahead of the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in Philadelphia, protesters took to the streets hoping to have their voices heard by the candidates.
Trump and Harris debated for the first and only time in Philadelphia, on September 10, 2024. (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

Harris and Trump faced off in their first debate. Here are some key takeaways from the tense night.

By Hannah Nguyen and Bryan Hecht / September 11, 2024
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris faced each other on the debate stage Tuesday night for the first time, and the mics are finally off—for now.
Trump and Harris faced off in a tense debate in Philadelphia on September 10, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

As it happened: Harris and Trump had a tense first debate. Here’s what happened Tuesday.

By Hannah Nguyen, Bryan Hecht, Sam Shipman, DJ Mara and Merritt Hughes / September 9, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are set to take the debate stage Tuesday night at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. 
People walking past Emerson College buildings on Boylston Street. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)

The college updated its protest policy. Some argue it’s a suppression of free speech.

By Bryan Hecht and Sam Shipman / September 6, 2024
Emerson unveiled a new initiative, updated its code of conduct, and released an interim policy in August, generating a wave of concern among students, faculty, and staff over free speech.
An Emerson College advertisement at Downtown Crossing station.

The decision to end two programs is irreversible, college says

By Bryan Hecht, News Co-Editor / August 20, 2024

Emerson’s decision to eliminate two programs will not be reversed, college officials said in a statement to The Beacon, after announcing they cut both...

May Day protesters gathered on Liberty Mall by the State House to make speeches and chant before marching to City Hall on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 (Bryan Hecht/Beacon Staff).

‘This is not only a celebration, [but] a call to action’: Boston May Day march emphasizes solidarity with Gaza

By Bryan Hecht, Assistant News Editor / May 2, 2024

Nearly two dozen protesters from different organizations gathered at Liberty Mall near the Massachusetts State House in the late afternoon on Wednesday...

Arrested students appeared at the Boston Municipal Court House on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 9 a.m. (Nick Peace for the Beacon).

Students receive community service for April 25 arrests

By Bryan Hecht and Iselin Bratz / May 1, 2024

Thirty protesters arrested on April 25 appeared on May 1 at 9 a.m. at the Boston Municipal Courthouse where continuances in their cases were issued by...

A list of arrested students was duct taped to the windows of Ansin Building (Bryan Hecht/Beacon Staff)

[Photo] DEVELOPING STORY: The latest on 2 Boylston Place ‘Popular University Encampment’

By Sophia Pargas, Hannah Nguyen, Olivia LeDuc, DJ Mara, Merritt Hughes, Bryan Hecht, Sam Shipman, Iselin Bratz and Katherine Cressman / April 25, 2024

A list of arrested students was duct taped to the windows of Ansin Building (Bryan Hecht/Beacon Staff)

A few healthcare professionals position themselves at the front of the human chain advocating for the student’s right to protection, and peaceful protest, in the face of police presence on Friday, April 26, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff).

Photos: Inside the erratic final hours of the Northeastern Gaza Solidarity encampment

By Bryan Hecht and Sam Shipman / April 30, 2024

Northeastern University’s “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” was created in the early morning of Thursday, April 25, starting at 8 a.m. and continuing...

Emerson Hillel holds Seder for Jewish students to begin Passover

Emerson Hillel holds Seder for Jewish students to begin Passover

By Bryan Hecht / April 26, 2024

Last Monday, around five dozen Jewish students gathered in the Bill Bordy Theater for Emerson Hillel’s Passover Seder, a traditional ritual service and...

Police create a barricade at each end of Boylston Street from Piano Row to the Little Building and continue to arrest students on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

Emerson College amongst nationwide movement of college encampments protesting war in Gaza

By Bryan Hecht and Sam Shipman / April 26, 2024
Beginning last Sunday evening, Emerson College’s Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) built an encampment of tents, food stands, and blankets to show solidarity with the pro-Palestinian movement.
Emerson encampment: A look at connection and chaos

Emerson encampment arrests: A look at moments of connection and chaos

By Bryan Hecht, Sam Shipman and Iselin Bratz / April 25, 2024

During and after the arrests in the 'Popular University Encampment' at Emerson College on Thursday, protesters demonstrated the strength of their community...

Police enter the 2B alley to begin making arrests of protesters on Thursday, April 25, 2024. Several students could be seen being “dragged and physically assault[ing] peaceful protesters,” according to the Boston Chapter of the Palestinian Youth Movement. (Bryan Hecht/Beacon Staff)

[Photo] Scenes from the arrests of 108 protesters in the 2B alley

By Berkeley Beacon Staff / April 25, 2024

Police enter the 2B alley to begin making arrests of protesters on Thursday, April 25, 2024. Several students could be seen being “dragged and physically...

Team Hoyt cycles

Team Hoyt cycles, runs, and cheers to honor 10th anniversary of last marathon finish for late Rick and Dick Hoyt

By Bryan Hecht, Assistant News Editor / April 15, 2024

Today’s 128th Boston Marathon was marked by many important milestones. On its most tender note, the race commemorated the 10th anniversary since the...

More than 30,000 runners from over 100 countries are registered to run in the 128th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

2024 Boston Marathon: Stories racing to and beyond the finish line

By Hannah Nguyen, Olivia LeDuc, Rumsha Siddiqui, DJ Mara, Sam Shipman, Bryan Hecht and Emma Siebold / April 15, 2024
More than 30,000 athletes from all across the world will take on the 26.2-mile course through Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline, and Boston on Marathon Monday. 
Emerson faculty and alumni to run the 2024 Boston Marathon for charity

Emerson faculty and alumni to run the 2024 Boston Marathon for charity

By Bryan Hecht / April 14, 2024
Tomorrow, Emerson students and faculty will be only a few blocks away from the 2024 Boston Marathon finish line where they can watch the roughly 30,000 registered runners take on the historic course.
Attorney Carolina Avellaneda is appointed in February 2024 as Emerson's vice president and general counsel. (Naia Driscoll/Beacon Correspondent)

Emerson General Counsel Carolina Avellaneda reflects on new position as a culmination of a lifetime of work

By Bryan Hecht, Assistant News Editor / March 20, 2024
Attorney Carolina Avellaneda was appointed Emerson's vice president and general counsel late last month and began serving her position on March 1.
Defense rallies for Wikileaks founder in Boston

Boston Assange Defense rallies for Wikileaks founder ahead of his London trial

By Bryan Hecht, Assistant News Editor / February 28, 2024

About two dozen people gathered at the steps of the Massachusetts Statehouse equipped with picket signs, banners, and a microphone to protest the extradition...

Performers present a dragon dance on Harrison Avenue during the parade in Boston’s Chinatown. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Correspondent)

Chinatown lights up with colorful costumes and fireworks for Lunar New Year Parade

By Bryan Hecht, Assistant News Editor / February 21, 2024

The chilly morning air was filled with the sounds of beating drums, ringing bells, and exploding fireworks in Chinatown last Sunday as the 2024 Lunar New...

Mass Communication and Television students in a news control room on April 7, 1986. (Photo courtesy of the Emerson College Archives & Special Collections)

Boylston, Beacons, and Broadcasting: The long and complex history of the Emerson Journalism Department

By Bryan Hecht, Assistant News Editor / February 14, 2024

The journalism major at Emerson College has become an attractive destination for media-inclined undergrads as it consistently ranks highly among college...

A group of furries march outside of the Anthro New England Convention. (Photo by Doktor is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Anthro New England attracts large furry fandom to Seaport district

By Sam Shipman and Bryan Hecht / January 29, 2024

Thousands of furries and members of the furry fandom converged on The Westin in Boston’s Seaport district last weekend for the eighth annual Anthro New...

“Poor Things”: Nature v. Nurture rendered through sex, surrealism, and sci-fi

“Poor Things”: Nature v. Nurture rendered through sex, surrealism, and sci-fi

By Bryan Hecht / December 13, 2023

This article contains spoilers and trigger warnings.  Graphic sex, mutilation of corpses, attempted clitoridectomy—these are all things you can expect...

Emerson College appoints Robert Amelio as a part-time interim director of Spiritual Life.

Robert Amelio addresses diversity, equity, and outreach in his new role as interim director at the Emerson Center for Spiritual Life

By Bryan Hecht, Staff Writer / December 13, 2023

Last week, Robert Amelio was announced as the part-time interim director of spiritual life. A 1981 alumnus, former professor, and director of diversity...

Performers and viewers of the event join on stage to light the tree on Boston Common on Thursday, Nov. 30.

Boston Common celebrates various festivities during Holiday Tree Lighting

By Bryan Hecht and Sam Shipman / December 6, 2023

A cold night was turned warm with friendship in the heart of Boston last week. On Thursday night, the Boston Common lawn had a stage festively adorned...

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