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Two Boston<\/a> police officers are out of the job in an apparent crackdown on vocal opposition to COVID vaccine mandates and January 6<\/a> social media posts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Boston police Commissioner Michael Cox announced Sgt. Shana Cottone and Officer Joseph Abasciano were fired on Monday. Both ousted cops hired legal representation and plan to appeal the firings, according to GBH News<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cottone leads Boston First Responders United and participated in anti-vaccine mandate protests with other members outside the home of Democratic Mayor Michelle Wu and elsewhere. In his statement, Cox said Cottone was found to have repeatedly violated several rules and procedures after six separate internal investigations over charges related to conduct, neglect of duty, respectful treatment, and public opinions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCottone\u2019s conduct in these cases reflects a pattern and inability to adhere to the rules and procedures of this department,\u201d said Cox, who also noted Cottone\u2019s \u201cdisciplinary history\u201d was taken under consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Abasciano, a retired Marine who was on paid medical leave, participated in \u201cBack the Blue\u201d rallies and also demonstrated against vaccine mandates. However it appears his firing concerns tweets criticizing former Vice President Mike Pence for not trying to stop President Joe Biden\u2019s 2020 election victory on January 6, 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The tweets, from a \u201cMailbox Joe\u201d alias, accused Pence of treason. One particular missive directed at the vice president said, \u201cI hope you never sleep well again,\u201d according to CBS News.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhile in the Department\u2019s employ, Abasciano authored a series of social media posts that called into question his ability to provide police services in an unbiased and objective manner,\u201d Cox said. \u201cAbasciano\u2019s conduct impairs the operation of this Department and its employees by diminishing the Departments\u2019 reputation and trust within the community. Due to this Mr. Abasciano is no longer a Boston Police officer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cottone\u2019s group, Boston First Responders United, released a statement claiming<\/a> the cases against Cottone and Abasciano were \u201cpolitically motivated and retaliation for speaking out in support of personal choice and freedom of speech.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Abasciano told the Associated Press<\/a> he was fired based on a \u201cnonexistent social media policy,\u201d and blamed a \u201cclear cut case of political targeting, police\/union corruption, retaliation and discrimination which ultimately boils down to my First Amendment rights being violated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n During an appearance on\u00a0Boston Public Radio<\/a>, Wu said she supports Cox\u2019s decision to fire the officers. \u201cEach has a separate set of actions that was detailed [and] investigated,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n