Overview
- A road blockade at the intersection of Dartmouth Street and St. James Avenue in Copley Square halted morning traffic when activists positioned a painted pink car and attached themselves to large pink oil barrels.
- Protesters displayed a banner reading “Gas is bad for Mass” and linked their arms through tubes and hooks inside the barrels and the car to prevent quick removal.
- Boston police removed the barrels, called a tow truck to remove the vehicle, and arrested five participants who were later scheduled for arraignment on charges including unlawful assembly, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.
- Extinction Rebellion said the action targeted the Northeast LDC Gas Forum being held at the Westin Copley Place hotel, making the protest a direct challenge to a regional natural gas industry event.
- The demonstration continues a multi-year pattern of disruptive climate actions in Boston that cause commuter delays and repeated law-enforcement responses, which could lead to more arrests, court cases, and public debate over protest tactics.