Protesters with the group “Black Lives Matter” caused a massive traffic backup by Boston on Thursday, shutting down Interstate-93 — a main thoroughfare for commuters — by chaining themselves to roadway railings and 1,200 pound construction barrels.
The protesters who chained themselves to barrels then stretched across both north and south sides of the highway leading into Boston, Massachusetts State Police reported, WWLP said.
Boston.com reported at least 17 people were arrested near Medford.
The Associated Press said the group “Black Lives Matter” organized the rally, which backed traffic up for miles.
On its Facebook page, the “Black Lives Matter” group wrote that its intent with the gathering was “to disrupt business as usual and protest police and state violence against black people,” AP reported.
At first, all travel lanes — including the HOV lanes — were shut down. But by 9 a.m., police were able to open two of the four lanes, though traffic was still backed up for miles.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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