29 Protesters Arrested for Blocking Rush-Hour Traffic on I-93

By Liz Taurasi (Patch Staff) and John Waller (Patch Staff)

Boston’s morning rush hour came to a standstill Thursday, as Black Lives Matter protesters blocked all inbound lanes of Interstate 93 north and south of the city at about 7:30 a.m.

Some of the protesters chained their hands together inside 1,200-pound barrels filled with cement, according to Massachusetts State Police. Others held banners referencing the Black Lives Matter movement.

State Police said 17 protesters were arrested north of the city in Medford and six were taken into custody south of the city in Milton. The names of the protesters and specific charges have not yet been announced. Police later said a total of 29 people were arrested.

Police were able to clear the interstate in roughly 45 minutes – however, traffic remained backed up for miles.

The Black Lives Matter Boston Facebook group posted a press release on the protests. The release includes quotes from nine of the protesters.

“Today, our nonviolent direct action is meant to expose the reality that Boston is a city where white commuters and students use the city and leave, while Black and Brown communities are targeted by police, exploited, and displaced,” protester Katie Seitz is quoted in the release.

Photo: Two protesters block traffic Thursday morning on I-93 with their arms chained together inside a cement-filled barrel. (Credit: Tim Alben)