More Than 100 Arrested at 'Occupy Boston' Protest Site

The arrests began around 1:20 a.m. when police lined up on Atlantic Avenue. Minutes later, dozens of sheriff vans and police wagons arrived, and more than 200 officers, both in uniforms and riot gear, surrounded the section of the Greenway occupied by the protesters. Police Superintendent William Evans and Commissioner Edward F. Davis watched from across the street. Evans gave the crowd two minutes to disperse, warning that they would be locked up if they did not comply. The crowd, energized by the sudden appearance of the Boston and transit police officers, chanted, ‘‘The people united will never be defeated,’’ “This is a peaceful protest,” and “The whole world is watching.’’ About 10 minutes later, the first officers entered the park and surrounded the group. Evans, using a loudspeaker, gave one more warning and then each protester was individually put on his or her stomach, cable-tied, and dragged off as other officers tore down tents and arrested and detained people on the fringe of the park. - More than 100 arrested in Occupy Boston protests, Boston Globe, October 11, 2011

More Than 100 Arrested at Occupy Boston Protest Site

October 11, 2011

Reuters - Tensions boiled over early on Tuesday in downtown Boston, where police arrested more than 100 protesters after the Occupy Boston group expanded its footprint and was told by authorities to move back.

Protesters said that late on Monday police had issued an ultimatum to return to their small original encampment by nightfall or be moved along.

Protesters' tents have been set up in Dewey Square Park in downtown Boston all month but on Monday expanded to a larger section of the nearby Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway.

Shortly after midnight, hundreds of Boston and Transit police officers, some in riot gear, moved in, handcuffing protesters and tearing down tents.

Police said 129 people were arrested, most for unlawful assembly.

"At 1:30 this morning hundreds of police in full riot gear brutally attacked Occupy Boston," the protest group said in a news release, adding that authorities "made no distinction between protesters, medics, or legal observers."

Police said no one was injured in the maneuver.

Metal barriers were erected around the section of the greenway on Tuesday as the protesters returned to Dewey Square Park.

Among those arrested was 58-year-old small business owner Michael Turner, who said he was taken into custody about 2 a.m. while sitting on the greenway, arms locked in a circle with other supporters.

"I just had to come," said Turner, who along with his wife has stopped by before and had donated supplies.

"I think corporate America is screwing us, basically," he said.

Turner, who said he was last arrested in Boston some 40 years ago protesting the Vietnam War, said the police were polite and in his view the situation was calm.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said in a Twitter message he was sympathetic to the Occupy Boston cause, but public safety was a priority.

"We all want to fight for the middle class," a second tweet from the mayor said. "Still, need to respect all our residents and make sure the city runs smoothly."

Many of those arrested were scheduled to appear in Boston Municipal Court throughout the week.

Occupy Boston organizers linked on their website to an online collection site to fund legal aid for those arrested.

More than $7,000 was donated from about 220 people by mid-day, according to the website.

Boston earlier saw one of its biggest rallies so far in a movement that began in New York last month to protest against perceived Wall Street excesses and other social issues and has spread to cities across the nation.

Hundreds of protesters, including many college students, marched in support of Occupy Boston.

Protests across the country have objected to what they see as an unacceptable income gap between rich and poor.

They also complained about the Wall Street bailout in 2008, which they say aided banks while average Americans suffered under high unemployment and job insecurity.