Traffic Alert: Protestors have blocked traffic going into the city and closed Route 93 at 93S in Medford and 93N in Milton. (h/t @Erin_O)
— BostonTweet (@BostonTweet) January 15, 2015
Black Lives Matter protesters have shut down traffic in and out of Boston on Interstate 93 Thursday morning, multiple news and social media sources say.
NECN’s broadcast reports protesters tethered themselves to 1,200-pound barrels and blocked off southbound lanes in Milton and northbound lanes in Medford. Upwards of 20 protesters gathered at multiple north and southbound locations along I-93 beginning at 7:30 a.m.
Update: The state Transportation Department (MassDOT) tweets that all lanes of traffic on I-93 North from East Milton Square have been cleared of protesters and reopened.
#MAtraffic Update: Boston – I-93 NB @ East Milton Sq. scene clear. All lanes open to traffic.
— Mass. Transportation (@MassDOT) January 15, 2015
Traffic in all lanes is moving, but commuters should expect residual delays. NECN reports motorists traveling north towards Boston from Canton can expect a commute time of roughly 50 minutes as of 10 a.m.
State police tweet that a total of 29 arrests were made in Milton and Medford. More information is expected to be released at 11:30 a.m.
Total arrests from this morning's protest total 29. They caused serious risk to public safety. More info to be released at 11:30.
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) January 15, 2015
Earlier: Boston emergency medical services tweets that I-93 South in Medford has been cleared of protesters and all lanes are open as of 9:11 a.m.
State Police report that I-93 South in Medford has been cleared of Protestors and all lanes of traffic are open…. http://t.co/aQrHzAD5oQ
— Boston EMS (@BOSTON_EMS) January 15, 2015
Northbound lanes from East Milton Square are shutdown to clear protesters; on the southbound side of I-93 in Milton, only one lane of traffic is open, state police say.
#Protester update: I-93 NB @ East Milton Sq. Road completely Closed again while removing protestors from roadway. #MAtraffic
— Dustin Fitch (@DustinGFitch) January 15, 2015
#MAtraffic I93 SB protest scene in #milton only one Lane open as removal of protesters continues. Seek Alt Route
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) January 15, 2015
3 have been removed from 93 Milton and 3 more in process of extrication.
— Tim Alben (@TimAlben) January 15, 2015
At least 23 protesters – 17 in Medford and six in Milton – have been arrested. A tweet from WBZ’s Karen Twomey suggests that total could be on the rise.
Another arrest of protester here in East Milton square. #protesters pic.twitter.com/pamSZXlvGW
— Karen Twomey (@KarenWBZradio) January 15, 2015
Protester from @BLM_Boston arrested by police on I-93 in Milton, via @nicoczar @MetroBOS pic.twitter.com/HcwcQteQ9i
— Morgan Rousseau (@MetroMorgan) January 15, 2015
Thursday morning protests in Boston appear to be related to similar demonstrations that have reportedly broken out in Washington D.C.
Protesters of police killings snarls morning commute in DC #Protest http://t.co/G6K0ArGbHK pic.twitter.com/dozE1rGyr9
— Got News Wire (@gotnewswire) January 15, 2015
Despite protests erupting at the peak of the morning rush hour, no injuries have been reported in Boston.
A press release from the group states that protests are to “disrupt business as usual” and raise awareness of police and state violence against Black people. The release continues:
Two different groups of activists linked their bodies together across the highway in coordinated actions north and south of Boston. This action was in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. This diverse non-Black group of Pan-Asians, Latinos, and white people, some of whom are queer and transgender, took this action to confront white complacency in the systemic oppression of Black people in Boston.
NECN reports that southbound traffic is starting to open up but has yet to return to normal. Northbound traffic is completely shut down at this time. Ambulances have arrived on the scene and have started to divert traffic.
#MAtraffic Update: Boston- I-93 NB @ East Milton Sq. Update: Right & Left lanes remain Closed. 2 Center Lanes Open to traffic.
— Mass. Transportation (@MassDOT) January 15, 2015
There are rumblings that a protest could be planned for the Tobin Bridge.
No injuries have been reported at this time.
Lt. Daniel Richard of the Massachusetts State Police tells NECN that commuters should expect residual delays as lanes slowly open up in both directions.
#MAtraffic Protesters have been removed from I93SB @ Mystic Valley Parkway All lanes open.
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) January 15, 2015
Here is a screengrab of a tweet from @JimmyPrinceton, which includes a press release from the protesters. NECN reports state police have made 14 arrests, but the protest is considered peaceful. Click here for the full release, posted on the Black Lives Matter Tumblr page.
On Twitter, Lt. Richard writes that protesters have been removed from I-93 but traffic is still moving slowly.
Although the protesters have been removed from I93 traffic, expect traffic delays to continue for the immediate future. #patience #BSafe
— Daniel Richard (@DGR2564) January 15, 2015
The Boston Globe reports the arrest total has climbed to 17 as of 8:45 a.m. The arrests were made in Medford.
At least 17 arrested as protesters block traffic on I-93 north and south of Boston http://t.co/BWklO4NivS via @BostonGlobe
— Boston Globe News (@GlobeMetro) January 15, 2015
Boston firefighters have been called to the scene to help state police free protesters who have chained themselves to 1,200-pound barrels.
RIGHT NOW: @MassStatePolice cutting through barrel that is filled with concrete. @NECN pic.twitter.com/n8jdqqT2FJ
— Jeff Saperstone (@JeffSaperstone) January 15, 2015
#Developing Protesters in Boston encased their arms in concrete barrels on I-93. No word on what they're protesting. pic.twitter.com/TOXfy7DbVj
— Brian Wilson (@BrianMWilson3) January 15, 2015
NECN reports traffic metrics suggest commuters should expect delays of at least an hour as of 8:50 a.m.
Blocking the Expressway during rush hour is NOT the right way to get your message out. #VeryDangerous #PeacefulProteatsSpeakTheLoudest
— Daniel Richard (@DGR2564) January 15, 2015
Arrests totals, it appears, have jumped again. As of 9 a.m., WCVB reports, another six arrests have been made in Milton, bringing the total to 23.
#BREAKING: .@MassStatePolice report 17 protesters arrested I-93 Medford and 6 protesters arrested I-93 in Milton. http://t.co/X5fGOr0ejc
— WCVB-TV Boston (@WCVB) January 15, 2015
The Boston branch of Black Lives Matter is asking for “jail support” for protesters arrested on I-93.
JOIN US for jail support for protesters arrested on I-93 North and South this morning. MA State Police 250 Leverett Circle Boston, MA 02114
— BlackLivesMattersBOS (@BLM_Boston) January 15, 2015
This is a breaking story; we are updating this post as more information/photos roll in.
Got to love a good rush hour protest. #WLM @universalhub @WCVB pic.twitter.com/2OKV2ALVD4
— Billy Donovan (@BilliamDonovan) January 15, 2015
#Protest happening in #Boston right now. Shut down #93 Am I an inconvenience? #shutitd… http://t.co/3wxNQoLgBZ pic.twitter.com/TcKQ455fxF
— ICantBreathe (@I_Cant_Breathe_) January 15, 2015
ROADS CLOSED: Expwy NB @ E Milton Square & I-93 SB @ Mystic Ave. Protestors closing road in those 2 locations, expect massive delays! #wcvb
— Olessa Stepanova (@OlessaStepanova) January 15, 2015
Current Boston I-93 N and S Shutdown. Protest. (via @SurefireSCal) pic.twitter.com/QN0fGVu8xw
— deray mckesson (@deray) January 15, 2015
I support @Blklivesmatter‘s cause but blocking 93 isn’t the way. Dangerous/ stupid, and people are starting to see the cause as a joke.
— Courtney Larrivey (@court_larrivey) January 15, 2015
#BlackLivesMatter @deray RT @dnoskovic: Protestors shutting down I-93 north. #late pic.twitter.com/8J5NTyE5VZ
— Kevin Ksen (@pdmt99) January 15, 2015
#BlackLivesMatter I-93 Boston protests (North AND South of the city) @deray pic.twitter.com/ozGoGfOAlS
— NikLuk (@Nikluk) January 15, 2015
Protesters linking arms on I-93 in Medford earlier http://t.co/2xU5OBlCUT pic.twitter.com/vvpfWxXnDH
— WBZ Boston News (@cbsboston) January 15, 2015
Police: Protesters block I-93 North from Milton to Boston Cut the arm off, idiots pic.twitter.com/IZ3txJGpO6
— Fátima?? (@backatone000) January 15, 2015
WHAT "@OnlyInBOS: 6 protesters are sitting on I-93 North & have CEMENTED their hands inside barrels of concrete. pic.twitter.com/a21fmiKs2n"
— Chris Gorczyca (@cgorczyca) January 15, 2015