Protesters charged with anarchy, inciting riot at pro-Palestinian rally that turned violent in Boston
Seven of the 13 protesters accused of fighting with Boston police during a pro-Palestinian rally that turned violent Monday were charged with anarchy Thursday at Boston Municipal Court, with the judge setting high bails for many of them.
The protesters were arrested Monday night after the rally, which began at Boston Common, moved into the street and turned violent. Prosecutor Olivia Izzi said protesters blocked the street, stopping traffic and preventing emergency vehicles from getting through. Izzi said they also attacked police officers, injuring four of them. Another protester, Tufts student Roder Atwood, was arraigned Wednesday on charges he struck a police officer in the face, breaking his nose.
The following were arraigned Thursday:
- Atalanta Carrig-Braun, 20, of Boston
- Osama El Khatib, 26, of Watertown
- Styx Hatch, 19, of Boston
- Haley MacIntyre, 24, of Dorchester
- Jacob Pettigrew, 22, of Malden
- Gabrielle Smith, 28, of Cambridge
- Madeline Weikel, 27, of Watertown
All seven protesters were charged with anarchy, which is a felony in Massachusetts, and inciting a riot. Carrig-Braun, El Khatib, Hatch, MacIntyre and Smith also face charges of assault and battery on a police officer. Pettigrew and Weikel were also charged with interfering with a police officer.
The six suspects who were previously arraigned on Wednesday will face upgraded charges of anarchy at a later date.
According to the Suffolk County District Attorney's office, the suspects were charged with anarchy due to "violent imagery and rhetoric used in promotional media" for the rally on Oct. 7.
"This organizing material promoted violence against police and presented an immediate threat to public safety which, combined with the actions of the individuals arrested, provided clear justification for the enhanced charges," said James Borghesani, Chief of Communications for the Suffolk DA.
Emerson student accused of inciting riot
MacIntyre, a student at Emerson College, was also arrested last year during a pro-Palestinian encampment on the school's campus. Her bail was set at $7,500 by the judge.
The judge set high bails for some of the protesters, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, higher than the prosecution initially asked for. They've also been banned from Boston Common and the Public Garden.
"If you violate my order, you'll spend 90 days," the judge told the protesters in court.
"To be clear, Emerson College condemns violence in all its forms, including attacks on law enforcement. All Emerson students are expected to uphold College policies and abide by local, state and federal laws within and beyond campus property," the school said in a statement.
Police union says violence out of hand
Larry Calderone, the president of the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association, said he welcomes the judge setting high bail for those in court on Thursday.
"We applaud the judge in this case for taking an aggressive stance for handing out a punishment," said Calderone. He said violence against law enforcement has gotten out of hand. "If an individual on the street thinks nothing of punching a police officer in the face and assaulting that officer in full uniform, then what does that mean for the general public? What would that individual do to somebody not in uniform?"
The courtroom was packed with both Boston police officers and supporters for the protesters. The supporters for the protesters then held a demonstration in the courthouse hallway. All seven protesters are due back in court on Oct. 31 for pretrial hearings.