Boston urges ‘die-in’ protesters not to traumatize children at First Night events

Boston public safety officials are urging protesters who are planning a “die-in” during this year’s First Night festivities not to traumatize the hundreds of children expected to attend.

“We’re going to accommodate the protesters if they choose to do so. But we will not let it disrupt the events,” Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said at a City Hall news conference alongside Mayor Martin Walsh and Boston Fire Commissioner Joseph Finn, ABC News reported.

“I can only appeal that if people are going to demonstrate, just realize there are a lot of young kids out there, a lot of families,” he said.

According to the Facebook page for “First Night Against Police Violence,” demonstrators are planning a “mass die-in” at 5 p.m. on Wednesday in front of the Boston Public Library and then expect to join the Grand Processions Parade that will run down Boylston Street. More than 300 people have RSVP’d to participate in the protest.

“We’re going to protect their right to demonstrate and, hopefully, we can both make this event a successful event,’’ Commissioner Evans said. “First Night is a long tradition in the city. I hate to see anything spoil what is usual a great family fun night in the City of Boston.”

Mr. Walsh added: “I ask everyone who comes out tomorrow respect our police officers, respect their roles as keepers of peace in our city, and not distract them from their responsibility of keeping our families and our city safe.”

Boston City Councilor Sal Lamattina urged First Night attendees to “wear something blue” in support of law enforcement, ABC News reported.

The activists appeared undeterred from the city’s appeal.

“I don’t see [Mayor Walsh] telling police violence or institutional racism to take the day off,” wrote Edmund Schluessel, an organizer for Wednesday’s protest. “I don’t see him taking a day out from his schedule of using his office to help take from the poor and give to the rich. Think of the children, he says — well of course we do: Every child who lost a parent and every parent who lost a child to the violence built into the racist system.”