Boston pulls Snapchat filters after outcry from Eastie residents

City of Boston/handout

The city of Boston is pulling 12 new Snapchat filters intended to symbolize local neighborhoods after an outcry from residents — particularly those of East Boston, who took offense that their neighborhood was represented by the Logan Airport control tower.

The city last week introduced the filters for various Boston neighborhoods — which users can superimpose over their photos in the app — designed to “showcase landmarks and neighborhoods around the city,” according to a release from the city that has since been taken down.

Those landmarks include the Bunker Hill Monument for Charlestown, the Massachusetts State House for Beacon Hill, and Boston City Hall for Government Center.

However, some Eastie residents were not happy with their neighborhood’s symbol.

.@DoITBoston @CityOfBoston this is so offensive #EastBoston is a community, with rich history and amazing ppl #notanairport @MartyForBoston

— Tina StGelais Kelly (@tinastgkelly) August 6, 2017

pic.twitter.com/MLh8igepmv

— 🍲 Steve Holt 🚣 (@TheBostonWriter) August 6, 2017

Putting an airport tower as symbol for Eastie is incredibly insulting. Please fix this @marty_walsh @SalLaMattina @EastBoston_ONS

— John in Eastie (@Johnfpc) August 6, 2017

One person even had a suggestion on what to replace the control tower with.

Cool with @BostonLogan having its own thing, but maybe something like this for the 40K people who live in actual #EastBoston? pic.twitter.com/AeK6NalM7U

— 🗽 Matt Cameron 🗽 (@matt_cam) August 8, 2017

Some also pointed out the head-scratching symbol for Allston: Harvard Stadium, which sits on the fringes of the neighborhood — nowhere near the shops or restaurants of Brighton, Harvard, or Commonwealth avenues.

This is what happens when you don't hire local talent... the control tower for #eastie and the Harvard stadium for #allston? Sad.

— Giordana Mecagni (@gmecagni) August 7, 2017

A statement from Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s office said that the filters “were unfortunately posted before receiving approval.”

“The city immediately reached out to Snapchat to have the filters removed, however that process can take up to several days,” the statement said. “Moving forward, the mayor’s office will be soliciting feedback from each community to ensure any published filters appropriately reflect the neighborhood they represent.”