Thirteen Arrested in Boston During Pro-Palestinian Protest Clash

Thirteen pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested in Boston after a violent confrontation with police on October 7, 2023. The clash resulted in four officers suffering non-life-threatening injuries and being transported to local hospitals, according to police reports.

The protest, organized by local chapters of **Students for Justice in Palestine**, coincided with the second anniversary of the **Hamas** attack on Israel, which left approximately 1,200 Israelis dead and led to significant military responses from Israel. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian fatalities, as reported by health officials in the region.

Authorities stated that the protest began at **Boston Common** around **17:30** local time. By approximately **18:30**, a gathering of **200 to 300** protesters clashed with law enforcement a few blocks away. The demonstration escalated when protesters blocked a roadway, chanted through amplified bullhorns, and formed human barricades to obstruct police vehicles responding to an unrelated emergency.

As police attempted to clear the road to allow emergency services through, tensions rose sharply. Protesters reportedly surrounded police vehicles, kicked doors, and ignited smoke devices and flares. Several officers were assaulted during the incident, with one officer being struck in the face. The police described the scene as chaotic, leading to multiple arrests.

Witness **Brody Greland** commented on the intensity of the situation, stating, “They tried to block the police cars trying to come down Tremont Street and it was wild. After they tried to block the police cars, the police got involved and started making arrests and trying to clear the road, and it got really chaotic.”

Charges and Legal Proceedings

The individuals arrested ranged in age from **19 to 27** and are expected to face charges including disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and disturbing the peace. They are scheduled to be arraigned on **October 8** and **9**. The police have not released the names of those arrested.

Local media coverage included footage showing confrontations between protesters and officers, with demonstrators shouting, “Get off of him,” as police attempted to restrain one individual. The protest was part of a larger series of global demonstrations marking the anniversary of the attack that instigated the current hostilities in the region.

The **Berkeley Beacon**, the student newspaper of Emerson College, reported that the protest aimed to urge universities to divest from companies with financial ties to Israel, reflecting a growing movement among students advocating for Palestinian rights.

As the situation continues to unfold, local authorities are monitoring future protests and coordinating with law enforcement to ensure public safety during demonstrations. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the passionate responses it elicits from communities worldwide.

**Kathy McCormack** contributed to this report from the **Associated Press**.