chloe grinberg

“Door Knocking Scripts” for canvassers are laid out on a table in Titus Sparrow Park for one of Ayanna Pressley’s canvass kick offs in Boston’s South End. After listening to Pressley speak, the volunteer canvassers split up and left the park, using the scripts provided to attempt to garner votes from registered democrats in the area. The script includes an explanation for the importance of voting in this election, survey questions to gage the potential voters’ opinions on Pressley, a list of Pressley’s policies and an absentee ballot application.

Kristen Halbert, a volunteer for Pressley’s campaign, heads the canvass table and speaks to Michelle Wu, Boston City Councilor At-Large and supporter of Pressley, for whom she works as a community liaison. They poke fun at the new campaign literature, which is significantly larger than the pamphlets that were previously distributed. It advertises a photo of a “1” bus, which was featured in Pressley’s video advertisement as an example of the income disparity within the 7th congressional district that can be observed while taking the bus from Harvard Square to Dudley Square.

A volunteer places an “Ayanna Pressley” pin on his shirt to prepare to canvass the South Boston neighborhood.

Pressley hugs volunteer Nina Shieldes at the canvass kick-off. Shieldes has been a campaign volunteer for two months and plans to work on Election Day on Tuesday, Sept. 4.

City Councilor Kim Janey of District 7 watches Pressley speak. Earlier, Janey had emphasized the importance of canvassing, and said, “This is where [change] really happens.” Following Pressley’s speech, Janey canvassed the neighborhood with other volunteers.

Pressley listens to Andre Green, president of the Somerville School Committee, speak about racial discrimination within politics in Greater Boston in Davis Square’s Diesel Cafe.

Laura Beretsky (right), a new Pressley supporter who plans to begin canvassing, said that incumbent Capuano is too “comfortable” and that the district would benefit from a more progressive and active leader.

Patrons of Diesel Cafe in Somerville observe Pressley’s speech. Suzanne O’Toole (center) doesn’t live in the 7th district, but hopes that Pressley wins. Aaron Berkowitz, another patron, said that Pressley didn’t give substantial details about what she intends to do as a congresswoman.

Sam Lawton and Nikki Spencer cheer during Ayanna’s speech. Spencer had been volunteering for several months and Lawton went canvassing for the first time following the kick off.

Ayanna finishes her speech, detailing the big and small endorsements and donations she has received from teenagers, homeless people and labor unions “because it’s the first time they’ve felt seen.”

Casey Accardi, canvas captain, and Missy Matteis canvas on Newbury Street in Somerville after assigning the other volunteers to their “turfs” following the Diesel Cafe kick-off. Accardi had knocked on 130 doors since she started canvassing in March. The canvassers have lists of registered voters’ names and addresses, and they leave campaign literature in the doors if nobody answers. Accardi says that most people are willing to hear her talk about Pressley’s policies or take the literature, but some are not aware of the coming election and become enthusiastic to have somebody to vote for.