Accused Defense Contractor Rioters Arraigned, 2 Given $20K Cash Bail Due To Prior Arrests

NASHUA, NH — Two women and a teenager from out of state, accused of setting off smoke bombs, vandalizing, attempting to burglarize, and protesting a defense contractor’s facility in Merrimack, were arraigned on felony charges on Tuesday.

Bridget Irene Shergalis, 27, of Whetstone Mills in Dayville, Connecticut, Calla Mairead Walsh, 19, of Decatur Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Sophie Marika Ross, 22, of North Plain Road in Housatonic, MA, were all arraigned in Hillsborough County Superior Court South on riot, sabotage-destroy real property, burglary-attempt, and criminal mischief-conspiracy charges, all felonies, and a misdemeanor criminal trespass count each.

The trio was arrested on Monday after police in Merrimack were called to Elbit Systems of America on the Daniel Webster Highway for a report of protesters blocking the company’s entrance and accessing the roof of the building. The company, police said, is “an Israeli-based international technology company” with a focus on “defense and homeless security.” Police described the protesters as “voicing their support for Palestine.”

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When requested, the protesters moved from the entrance to allow first responders access to the facility.

Police found a bike lock attached to the two front doors of the building — which prevented employees from exiting the building. The officers also saw smoke coming from the roof of the building. Later, police determined the smoke came from an incendiary device after the arrest of Walsh, an affidavit said. Officers found a ladder outside leading up to the roof and believed at least three people were on the roof.

Police set up a perimeter of the facility and viewed “extensive damage” to the front of the building — including smashed windows and spray paint featuring “anti-Israel words,” “free Gaza,” and criticism of the company, including calling them “genocide profiteers” and “Elbit kills” as well as swear words.

On the roof, a team of officers found three women, Ross, Shergalis, and Walsh, and after viewing video footage online, confirmed their involvement, an affidavit said.

One officer accused Ross of having red spray pain on her sneakers and pants. The affidavit said Walsh’s shoes also had red spray paint on them.

After being arraigned, Shergalis was issued $5,000 cash bail, while Ross and Walsh were issued $20,000 cash bail. They are back in superior court on Jan. 23, 2024, for dispositional conference hearings. The two women were issued higher bail due to being arrested, along with seven others, a few weeks ago in Cambridge, MA, outside of the Elbit Systems facility in that city. Hundreds of people attended that protest, which later turned violent.

Shergalis, according to reports online, has been featured in several films, including “Bad Teacher,” “All About Steve,” and “Séance.”

Walsh, according to posts online, was involved in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Boston Mapping project. According to the Anti-Defemation League, the mapping project is an interactive map pinpointing Jewish communal and other community organizations in the Bay State. She was also an admitted communist who was once involved in the Students for Markey campaign effort, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s campaign, and the presidential campaigns of U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.

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