Michael Dukakis Picks Up Trash Around Boston

Michael Dukakis

Pol Light Moment #152 occurred on August 10, 2015, when Michael Dukakis was seen picking up trash on his walk around Boston by attorney Sarah E. Godfrey. Michael Dukakis served as Governor of Massachusetts from 1975 to 1979 and 1983 to 1991. Dukakis was also a candidate for President in 1988.

Michael Dukakis has been picking up trash in public areas on his walks around his hometown of Boston for 25 years. He has been seen by others on several occasions and on August 10, 2015, attorney Sarah E. Godfrey met him while he was picking up trash. She later penned a letter about meeting the man who was a Governor for 12 years as he was picking up trash.

Unreal: #Boston woman meets Michael Dukakis picking up trash at @MBTA station. #mapoli #atleasttechnically pic.twitter.com/US9pRDtMuU

— Jack Newsham (@TheNewsHam) August 14, 2015

Michael Dukakis said in 2016 about his practice of picking up trash, "It doesn't hurt if people see incumbent majors and ex-governors cleaning the place up. And you hope that others will be inspired to do the same.... What makes my day is when somebody comes along and says, 'Now you got me doin' it (Christian Science Monitor, July 28, 2016).'"

For more information on Micahel Dukakis's practice of picking up trash you can read these articles.

• A Former Governor is Picking Up Your Trash (Boston.com, Eric Levenson, August 14, 2015)
• This Former Governor Once Ran for President and He's Been a Volunteer Trash Collector for 25 Years (Upworthy.com, Thom Dunn, August 24, 2015)

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of Michael Dukakis is in the Public Domain.