The action was led by the Boston-area Local Students for Justice in Palestine groups. The peaceful protest turned into a violent confrontation with police, resulting in dozens injured and the arrest of thirteen protesters. The protest coincided with the second anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel. This event has profoundly shaped the key and continuing dynamics of the present war in Gaza.
The rally was scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM at Boston Common, where police officers were stationed to monitor the event. About 200-300 of the Common protesters, angered by the law enforcement response, made their way around a few blocks to confront police, resulting in skirmishes with law enforcement. Things turned tense almost immediately, as protesters tried to stop police cars from pushing up Tremont Street.
Witnesses described a chaotic and devastating scene. Protesters pushing and grappling with the police were caught on local news cameras. Brody Greland, a bystander, described the unrest, stating, “They tried to block the police cars trying to come down Tremont Street and it was wild. After they tried to block the police cars, the police got involved and started making arrests and trying to clear the road, and it got really chaotic. I think there were some fights – some people started throwing punches, it got crazy.”
Multiple injuries were reported on both sides during the confrontation. Ten other Boston police officers were hurt, including one, Wilburn, who was hit in the face with a metal object. Four officers needed transport to area hospitals to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
According to the Boston Police Department, at the time of this posting, they arrested thirteen protesters, all of whom reside in the Boston area. Interviews indicated that the ages of those arrested were 19 to 27 years of age. All of them are charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and disturbing the peace. The arrested sit-in activists are due in court for arraignment on Wednesday and Thursday.
Officials have described the protest as an insurrection, pointing to numerous violent clashes that occurred when police cracked down hard on protesters. The demonstration in Boston was a microcosm of the protests occurring across the globe. These protests coincided with the second anniversary of a war that has garnered much international media attention.