Protesters are raising their voices in Boston over the planned closure of a Walgreens pharmacy in Roxbury, a predominantly minority neighborhood. The Walgreens on 416 Warren Street, which sits adjacent to a dialysis center, is set to close its doors on January 15, sparking outcry from residents and community leaders. The Communities of Color for Health Equity is leading the charge, insisting that the store is essential for the neighborhood's vulnerable population, according to WCVB.

Many elderly and those without transportation rely heavily on this pharmacy for their prescriptions. The closure has been labeled as a business move by Tim Wentworth, CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, but locals see it as life-threatening. "For Tim Wentworth and Walgreens, this is all about business, but for us, it's a matter of life and death," Rev. Miniard Culpepper, with the Black Men's Political Task Force, said. This store is just one of approximately 200 store closings that Walgreens announced would be occurring in 2024, as per WCVB.

This isn't isolation. Three other Walgreens stores in Boston were shuttered in 2022, and residents stress how these closures exacerbate the burdens on those utilizing public transport and living near these now-closed stores. An additional Walgreens on Columbus Avenue remains open, but the distance poses a challenge for many of the neighborhood's residents. The pattern of downsizing by these corporations often first impacts Black and brown communities, leading to what is called “pharmacy deserts.”, as reported by the Bay State Banner.

Roughly one in eight pharmacies closed from 2009 to 2015, with independent and low-income area pharmacies being the most affected. The problem isn't unique to Walgreens, as CVS and Rite Aid have also been downsizing significantly. In the midst of this, the Communities of Color Coalition for Health Equity has requested Walgreens postpone the Warren Street store's closure until July 15. This extension would grant residents time to find alternative solutions and engage with company decision-makers, as per a letter the group wrote to Walgreens Boots Alliance.

Another protest is expected to take place this week, drawing further attention to the community's call for Walgreens to reconsider its actions. Rev. Miniard Culpepper expressed particular dismay at the timing of the closure, falling on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, suggesting a symbolic disregard for the local community. "Two weeks simply isn't enough time to inform people they need to find alternatives for medical care. Additionally, the closure on Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday is symbolic of the lack of respect for our community," Culpepper said, per Bay State Banner.