Somerville Stands By Straight Pride Counterprotesters, Mayor Says

SOMERVILLE, MA — The actions of Somerville police officers at the Straight Pride Parade in Boston last month drew scrutiny from some residents, who questioned why they were there at all. At a public hearing Wednesday, attendees pushed for further transparency and involvement in mutual aid decisions.

In the immediate aftermath of the event, Mayor Joseph Curtatone defended his officers' presence, saying they were there as part of a Cops On Bikes For Regional Assistance mutual aid unit. He added that his officers did not make any arrests, a claim some have disputed with photos from the parade that appear to show Somerville officers taking people into custody.

In an email to Patch last week, a spokesperson for the city wrote that officers did not carry out arrests on their own.

"They did however assist in taking people into custody for various violations of the law, which were outlined in the arrest list put out by the Boston Police Department," the email read.

Curtatone told counterprotesters Wednesday the city stands in "solidarity" with them and against "people who promote white supremacy, who promote hate," according to the Boston Herald. He previously blasted the Straight Pride Parade as "nationalist."

The Somerville Police Department is conducting a full after-action report. City officials urge anyone with a complaint to come forward.