Seven protesters have been charged with inciting a riot following a pro-Palestinian rally that escalated into violence in Boston on October 23, 2023. The individuals, among a total of 13 arrested during the incident, were arraigned at the Boston Municipal Court on October 26, where the judge set bail amounts ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.
The rally began peacefully at Boston Common but soon moved into the streets, where tensions rose significantly. According to Prosecutor Olivia Izzi, demonstrators blocked traffic and obstructed emergency vehicles. In the course of the unrest, four police officers sustained injuries while attempting to manage the situation. One protester, Roder Atwood, a student at Tufts University, was arraigned separately on charges of striking a police officer, resulting in a broken nose.
Among those arraigned on Thursday were:
– 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
Each of these individuals faces charges including inciting a riot, assault and battery on a police officer, and interfering with law enforcement duties. MacIntyre, a student at Emerson College, has previously been arrested during a pro-Palestinian encampment on her campus.
The judge emphasized the serious nature of the charges, stating that violations of court orders could lead to 90 days in jail. Additionally, all seven protesters have been banned from Boston Common and the Public Garden as a condition of their bail.
The incident has drawn significant attention, with a packed courtroom that included both police officers and demonstrators showing support for the accused. Larry Calderone, president of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, expressed his approval of the judge’s strict bail decisions, stating, “Violence against law enforcement has gotten out of hand.” He raised concerns about the implications of such violence for public safety, questioning what individuals willing to assault uniformed officers might do to civilians.
The next court date for the seven protesters is set for October 31, 2023, where pretrial hearings will take place. The outcome of these proceedings may impact future protests and the ongoing discourse surrounding civil rights and law enforcement in Boston.
