Protestors Block Highway in Medford, Milton During Morning Rush Hour

Protestors on Route 93 North in Milton. Photo by Colonel Tim Alben, MA State Police Superintendent.

– Allison Goldsberry

Twenty-nine people were arrested on Thursday following protests on Route 93 in Medford and Milton that brought the morning rush hour to a stand still, according to MA State Police.

State Police say protestors blocked traffic on Route 93 North in Milton starting around 7:30AM. Meanwhile, additional protestors took over Route 93 South by Mystic Valley Parkway in Medford around the same time. According to police, protestors in Medford locked arms and attached themselves to each other to block traffic. In Milton the protestors locked arms and chained themselves to barrels.

Route 93 South in Medford was open after about an hour following their “swift and safe” removal by State Police and other security officials. Eighteen people were arrested and were booked at the State Police barracks in Medford.

The Milton scene took longer to clear due to the barrels. Route 93 North was not open until 9:45AM, according to State Police.

Demonstrators released statements to the press following the morning protests.

“We are a diverse group of LGBTQA, white, pan-Asian and Latin@ people acting in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, both locally and nationally,” said a statement posted by The Boston Globe.