BOSTON, MA — Boston police said officers made seven arrests Wednesday after a group disrupted a Boston City Council meeting at City Hall.
Police said officers assigned to the Dignitary Protection Unit made the arrests at about 2:50 p.m. after 15 to 20 people seated in the public gallery of the Iannella Chamber stood in unison, unfurled signs with political messages, entered a restricted area of the chamber and began chanting and waving signs, halting the meeting.
City Council President Breadon repeatedly called the chamber to order but was unable to restore order because of the noise, police said.
Police said Dignitary Protection Unit officers, who are responsible for security at City Hall, were in the chamber and requested additional Boston police units because of the rapidly changing situation, including uncertainty about occupancy levels and the availability of safe exits.
After consulting with City Council staff, officers and staff cleared bystanders from the chamber in an orderly manner so the situation could be assessed, police said.
Police said all bystanders complied.
The Property Management Department, which oversees building management at City Hall and has authority to issue trespass notices, was also at the scene.
After discussions with City Council staff, the department determined the remaining demonstrators were not permitted to stay in the chamber because they were actively disrupting a public meeting, police said.
Police said the department advised that anyone who refused to leave voluntarily would be considered trespassing.
Police said officers initially chose not to directly engage the demonstrators in an effort to de-escalate the situation, and several elected officials volunteered to act as intermediaries.
As a result of those negotiations, about half of the group left voluntarily and were escorted out of the building without further incident, police said.
Police said the remaining eight people refused to leave, lay on the floor and linked arms.
City Council staff and city officials told them multiple times they were required to leave or face arrest, police said.
Officers allowed an additional 30 minutes for negotiations, but were ultimately advised the group would not leave willingly, police said.
Police said officers then made a formal verbal announcement in the presence of a Property Management Department representative informing each person that the department had deemed them no longer welcome in City Hall.
According to police, officers spoke with each person individually, confirmed each understood the announcement and offered each a final opportunity to leave.
Police said each person indicated they understood but remained on the floor.
Those arrested on trespass charges were George Lee Jr., 43, of Dorchester; Jonathan M. Barry, 40, of Roslindale; Linda A. Jenkins, 77, of Malden; Nancy Ellen Griffin, 59; Vikiana Petit-Homme, 24; Margaret Hughes, 32; and Rebecca A. Pierce, 82, of Dorchester.
Police said an eighth person was not arrested at the scene.
Officers will seek an application for criminal complaint in Boston Municipal Court charging a 28-year-old woman with trespass, police said.
All of the individuals were transported and booked, police said.
