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Regional Boards => Northeast => Topic started by: golden eagle on January 15, 2015, 09:52:16 AM

Title: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: golden eagle on January 15, 2015, 09:52:16 AM
Protesting over police deaths in Ferguson and New York (http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/01/15/protesters-block-traffic-southeast-express-northbound/G3aLvpDWRixI2I6SVyaErM/story.html)
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: spooky on January 15, 2015, 10:09:53 AM
Morons.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: bob7374 on January 15, 2015, 10:22:43 AM
From the traffic maps, currently, at 10:15, even after the protesters were cleared from the Milton area, traffic is still backed up on I-93 North 15 miles back to Canton and on MA 3 North from MA 228 7 miles from I-93. Going to be a lot of people late for work.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: texaskdog on January 15, 2015, 10:30:49 AM
Quote from: spooky on January 15, 2015, 10:09:53 AM
Morons.

M*ssholes!
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: Zeffy on January 15, 2015, 10:31:30 AM
People have the right to protest, but they don't have to the right to block a limited access freeway on a workday.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: jeffandnicole on January 15, 2015, 12:02:44 PM
What happened in Ferguson & New York?  I better read about that.  Oh, look.  Oh my goodness.  Oh, geez.  What a mess.  Thank goodness for this protest, otherwise I would have never known.

/sarcasm.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: texaskdog on January 15, 2015, 12:41:04 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on January 15, 2015, 12:02:44 PM
What happened in Ferguson & New York?  I better read about that.  Oh, look.  Oh my goodness.  Oh, geez.  What a mess.  Thank goodness for this protest, otherwise I would have never known.

/sarcasm.

Oh don't get me started on anything "raising awareness"
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: Mergingtraffic on January 15, 2015, 12:46:18 PM
I don't get how they weren't hit? especially the first protesters that first stepped out into the road? 
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: formulanone on January 15, 2015, 01:59:26 PM
That's because protesting inside or around places like police stations and courthouses; where it reasonably might make a difference, is too much work and planning. After all, it's easier to inconvenience those who had precisely jack-squat to do with it, so nothing gets done about policing issues, furthering the twisted logic that "nobody cares".
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: Pete from Boston on January 15, 2015, 02:37:43 PM
Shoulda left them there.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: spooky on January 15, 2015, 02:48:19 PM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FjvGVEvl.jpg&hash=e27921b0bc5f7b10b365beaad504ee0f8aae92a5)
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: SidS1045 on January 15, 2015, 03:23:06 PM
My usual 40-minute trip to work took almost three hours.  Boston traffic is, on a good day, pretty bad, so this morning all the alternative routes were over-clogged as well.

Apparently the protesters' protest was something about white people coming into the city, using the city and leaving the city, while black people get to stay in the city, get profiled and get shot.  I guess all those black people I see in my home suburb, not to mention those I see in the other suburbs, don't count.  In any case, they forfeited any sympathy they might have gained for their cause by making people late for work.  There's also an unconfirmed report that a person on the way to a hospital in an ambulance was delayed by the traffic jams and the delay may have exacerbated his/her condition.

Yet another rumor is that these people will try it again this coming Sunday evening, when the Patriots play at Foxborough for the AFC championship.  If you think Boston commuters are tough, you ain't seen nothin' until you've seen a Pats fan headed for Gillette Stadium.  They'll just run the protesters over.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: PHLBOS on January 15, 2015, 03:51:39 PM
Quote from: SidS1045 on January 15, 2015, 03:23:06 PMIf you think Boston commuters are tough, you ain't seen nothin' until you've seen a Pats fan headed for Gillette Stadium.  They'll just run the protesters over.
Carnage on I-95; film at 11.
Title: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: Pete from Boston on January 15, 2015, 03:54:43 PM
An ambulance with a critical patient was delayed.  A contractor sent a dozen people home without pay because his concrete pour was not delivered.

The "awareness" from something like this is trumped a dozenfold by negative publicity.

It's a great way to get people to stop talking about real issues, which will be buried under pages of "wild spectacle" coverage.

More missteps from the well-meaning but tactically misguided activist community.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: roadman on January 15, 2015, 04:33:15 PM
Quote from: SidS1045 on January 15, 2015, 03:23:06 PM
There's also an unconfirmed report that a person on the way to a hospital in an ambulance was delayed by the traffic jams and the delay may have exacerbated his/her condition.

From Boston dot com:

QuoteMassachusetts State Police said this morning that the protest blocked an ambulance traveling to a Boston hospital from Easton, diverting it to a smaller hospital in southeastern Mass. The ambulance was carrying a car crash victim with life-threatening injuries.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: Alps on January 15, 2015, 05:58:45 PM
Quote from: Zeffy on January 15, 2015, 10:31:30 AM
People have the right to protest, but they don't have to the right to block a limited access freeway on a workday.
Technically, none of them have the right to enter a limited access roadway at any time. Pedestrians are prohibited. That does trump freedom of speech in this case.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: Zeffy on January 15, 2015, 06:06:27 PM
The right way to protest: http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2015/01/students_will_gather_in_cadwalader_park_for_blacko.html#incart_river

Quote from: Alps on January 15, 2015, 05:58:45 PM
Technically, none of them have the right to enter a limited access roadway at any time. Pedestrians are prohibited. That does trump freedom of speech in this case.

That is true. If anyone hit them I wonder if the driver would be at fault? (I.E. Couldn't slow down in time)

Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 15, 2015, 03:54:43 PM
An ambulance with a critical patient was delayed.

So here's a question - if the patient doesn't make it, and it was caused by the freeway being shut by protesters, then couldn't they be technically held accountable for negligent homicide? They denied a patient the care they might've needed to save them - of course, if that's not concrete, then charging them would be stupid, but if the death could have been prevented by getting to the hospital on time, would that suffice?
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: NE2 on January 15, 2015, 06:26:28 PM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd35brb9zkkbdsd.cloudfront.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F12%2FIMG_0129-e1418594892362-816x534.jpg&hash=29a6d8bbb86ed4cb4a3ee3fca52d40456f0af0e3)
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: golden eagle on January 15, 2015, 07:32:34 PM
Quote from: Zeffy on January 15, 2015, 10:31:30 AM
People have the right to protest, but they don't have to the right to block a limited access freeway on a workday.

Yes! Sometimes, the very people protestors want to help are they very ones they end up hurting. If they protested in a park, fine. You inconvenience very few people and no real safety issues are compromised.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: golden eagle on January 15, 2015, 07:33:29 PM
Quote from: doofy103 on January 15, 2015, 12:46:18 PM
I don't get how they weren't hit? especially the first protesters that first stepped out into the road?

Maybe they arrived in vehicles and stopped in the middle of the highway?
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: Pete from Boston on January 15, 2015, 07:48:13 PM

Quote from: golden eagle on January 15, 2015, 07:33:29 PM
Quote from: doofy103 on January 15, 2015, 12:46:18 PM
I don't get how they weren't hit? especially the first protesters that first stepped out into the road?

Maybe they arrived in vehicles and stopped in the middle of the highway?

Traffic moves at a crawl there in the morning.  They supposedly slowed and stopped their rental trucks to unload.

Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: Pete from Boston on January 15, 2015, 07:50:14 PM

Quote from: golden eagle on January 15, 2015, 07:32:34 PM
Quote from: Zeffy on January 15, 2015, 10:31:30 AM
People have the right to protest, but they don't have to the right to block a limited access freeway on a workday.

Yes! Sometimes, the very people protestors want to help are they very ones they end up hurting. If they protested in a park, fine. You inconvenience very few people and no real safety issues are compromised.

Unfortunately, the general reaction seems to be one of greater association than before of their cause with lunatics.  This is where "any publicity is good publicity" breaks down.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: J Route Z on January 15, 2015, 09:08:05 PM
They had that little girl protest on the highway? Oh god.  :-/
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: ZLoth on January 15, 2015, 09:14:23 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 15, 2015, 03:54:43 PM
More missteps from the well-meaning but tactically misguided activist community.
So, uh, what do these "activists" do to earn a paycheck and pay the rent?

Hmph.... thought so....
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: oscar on January 15, 2015, 09:41:40 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 15, 2015, 07:48:13 PM
They supposedly slowed and stopped their rental trucks to unload.

If that's true, that suggests demonstrations that were both really well-organized, and left a paper trail that can be used to track down the organizers.  Especially if the patient stuck in the ambulance ultimately dies, the police might make the effort to follow that trail. 
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: SidS1045 on January 15, 2015, 11:29:46 PM
Some more details have emerged:

29 people were arrested at the two protest sites, Milton (northbound) and Medford (southbound).  Two others were arrested as they tried to return one of the rental trucks.  Many of them wore adult diapers, apparently expecting to stay where they were for an extended time.

All were arraigned, pled "not guilty" and were released on their own recognizance.  Charges included trespass, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and conspiracy.

And it wasn't just the ambulance carrying the crash victim from Easton that was affected.  From The Boston Globe online edition:  "Peter Racicot, senior vice president for Fallon Ambulance, said the shutdown slowed responses across Greater Boston, affecting as many as 100 ambulances. "This incident has caused havoc for public safety,'' he said."
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: massroadpatriot on January 16, 2015, 12:29:05 AM
Hey! It worked...


We're all talking about it. Aren't we?
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: Duke87 on January 16, 2015, 12:30:26 AM
I see the protesters have successfully taken a bunch of suburbanites who are ignorant of problems faced by inner city communities and shown them the harsh reality of other suburbanites who are equally ignorant of those problems but sure are willing to rant about them. Great job.




Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: ZLoth on January 16, 2015, 04:59:49 AM
There was a similar situation in San Francisco in November where a group of 14 "Black Lives Matter" protesters had halted BART service for three hours in November by chaining themselves to a train at the West Oakland BART station. The kicker? From a January 11th article:
QuoteThe demonstrators demanded criminal charges and $70,000 in restitution be dropped against the so-called Black Friday 14.
FULL ARTICLE HERE (http://markholtz.info/14f)
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: SP Cook on January 16, 2015, 05:58:35 AM
When people interfere with the transportation infrastructure, you give them to the count of 10 and then you resume use of the transportation infrastructure.

Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: qguy on January 16, 2015, 06:17:09 AM
Quote from: massroadpatriot on January 16, 2015, 12:29:05 AM
Hey! It worked...

We're all talking about it. Aren't we?

No, we're not. Everyone's talking about the protest, not the thing the protesters were protesting about. Protests like this don't stimulate healthy public conversation about the perceived original injustice. They only spark heated debate about the protest. If that's what passes for intelligent public discourse on the topic being protested, then no, protests like this don't work.

Fail.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: PHLBOS on January 16, 2015, 04:58:15 PM
Quote from: J Route Z on January 15, 2015, 09:08:05 PM
They had that little girl protest on the highway? Oh god.  :-/
If you're referring to that photo in NE2's facetious post; it's worth noting that what he posted is not from the actual incident. 

The ages of the 29 arrested protesters ranged from 24 to 34 (the Boston Herald's website had a link listing the names & ages of the protesters but got buried or deleted).  So, no, there were no little girls blocking I-93.

Given the nature of the protest; if one looks through the photos & news footage showing the protesters, one irony stands out... not one of them was black.

Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: ne11931 on January 16, 2015, 09:33:40 PM
The general consensus is these were " Occupy Boston" people,loser anarchists who latch on to the latest anti-government movement. Three Mass state legislators filed bills today to increase fines and jail time for this type of offense. What happened to the use of fire hoses for crowd control of idiots like this? Is that now considered inhumane?
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: Zeffy on January 16, 2015, 09:58:44 PM
Quote from: ne11931 on January 16, 2015, 09:33:40 PM
What happened to the use of fire hoses for crowd control of idiots like this? Is that now considered inhumane?

I'm pretty sure it reminds people of a certain race about a time where they had very limited rights.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: vdeane on January 16, 2015, 10:13:21 PM
Quote from: ZLoth on January 15, 2015, 09:14:23 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 15, 2015, 03:54:43 PM
More missteps from the well-meaning but tactically misguided activist community.
So, uh, what do these "activists" do to earn a paycheck and pay the rent?

Hmph.... thought so....
Ever hear of personal days?
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: Pete from Boston on January 17, 2015, 09:31:43 AM

Quote from: ne11931 on January 16, 2015, 09:33:40 PM
The general consensus is these were " Occupy Boston" people,loser anarchists who latch on to the latest anti-government movement. Three Mass state legislators filed bills today to increase fines and jail time for this type of offense. What happened to the use of fire hoses for crowd control of idiots like this? Is that now considered inhumane?

Hosing people is how you disperse a violent mob.  It's "non-lethal" aggression against aggressors.

Hosing someone who has, right or wrong, made themselves stuck, is totally pointless, and yes, inhumane.

Hosing someone on a sub-freezing day who is stuck should get you brought up on charges.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: ajlynch91 on January 17, 2015, 09:51:34 AM
I don't understand how people can have so little to do in their lives that they have enough free time to protest. These people are what give millennials such a horrible reputation. Many of us work hard, pay our loans off, and don't cry about unfair the world is all the time. If on the off chance I happen to agree with one of these morons about a particular issue (not this one), then I'm branded as an unemployed slacker. It drives me crazy.

/minirant
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: jeffandnicole on January 17, 2015, 10:00:40 AM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 17, 2015, 09:31:43 AM

Quote from: ne11931 on January 16, 2015, 09:33:40 PM
The general consensus is these were " Occupy Boston" people,loser anarchists who latch on to the latest anti-government movement. Three Mass state legislators filed bills today to increase fines and jail time for this type of offense. What happened to the use of fire hoses for crowd control of idiots like this? Is that now considered inhumane?

Hosing people is how you disperse a violent mob.  It's "non-lethal" aggression against aggressors.

Hosing someone who has, right or wrong, made themselves stuck, is totally pointless, and yes, inhumane.

Hosing someone on a sub-freezing day who is stuck should get you brought up on charges.

Not to mention hosing people on a roadway on a freezing day means the road becomes icy, prohibiting traffic from using it even longer.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: ctsignguy on January 17, 2015, 10:21:25 AM
I could see a 'Law and Order" episode from this where the critical patient does pass because of the delay....

The protest leaders and their lawyers are astonished when they see Jack McCoy.,...and when he advises them that they wont be facing charges regarding public disorder, but instead he is filing negligent homicide charges against them because of that patient who died because the ambulance couldnt get to the hospital in time to save a life, the looks of horror on their faces....

You are responsible for your actions and their consequences, even the unintended consequences...

Any word if that patient is alright?
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: vdeane on January 17, 2015, 03:48:06 PM
Quote from: ajlynch91 on January 17, 2015, 09:51:34 AM
and don't cry about unfair the world is all the time.
We aren't going to make the world fair by being silent about how unfair it is.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: oscar on January 17, 2015, 04:05:26 PM
Quote from: vdeane on January 17, 2015, 03:48:06 PM
Quote from: ajlynch91 on January 17, 2015, 09:51:34 AM
and don't cry about unfair the world is all the time.
We aren't going to make the world fair by being silent about how unfair it is.
But blocking traffic is a poor way to overcome silence.

Especially on freeways, most of which have convenient overpasses on which to place banners and have a crowd wave signs, which can get travelers' attention during normally-slow rush-hour traffic (at the very least, to give them something different to look at besides the taillights in front of them).

I still remember a banner long ago on an overpass for NB I-395 in D.C., showing an odometer in the process of changing from IRAQ to IRAN.  Bonus points for cleverness, and also for looking ahead to the next war while we were still extricating ourselves from the old one.     
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: vdeane on January 17, 2015, 04:11:50 PM
I can't think of a good way to really get and keep people's attention.  Most of the time people will see a protest, think about it for a couple seconds, then forget it.  The reason is that most people don't care to think about how unfair the world is.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: Pete from Boston on January 17, 2015, 04:51:17 PM

Quote from: vdeane on January 17, 2015, 04:11:50 PM
I can't think of a good way to really get and keep people's attention.  Most of the time people will see a protest, think about it for a couple seconds, then forget it.  The reason is that most people don't care to think about how unfair the world is.

Most people's attention is consumed with their own obstacles.  It is a particularly demanding contortion of consciousness for people to get out of their headspace and know how much of the rest of the world's problems to take on.  We're the only animal that attempts to subvert our programming for survival by prioritizing others' needs on a large scale.  The upshot of this is that usually this is not what happens.  Sucks, but this is who we are.

That said, people could use help getting to the point of at least considering how they can help others' situations, but "No more victims anywhere" bumper stickers and concrete barrels on the Southeast Expressway just aren't shrewd strategies for accomplishing this.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: ne11931 on January 17, 2015, 07:50:28 PM
Boston City worker fired after protest.

From the Boston Herald-


Mayor Martin J. Walsh has fired a 25-year-old city youth worker after learning the Roxbury woman was among 11 protesters who chained themselves to 1,200-pound, concrete-filled barrels in Milton on Thursday, snarling morning rush-hour traffic and stalling at least two ambulances, the Herald has learned.

"As mayor, you have to make tough, difficult decisions. This is not a difficult decision,"  Walsh said. "This was not based on the fact of this woman protesting. It was based on the fact of putting the public safety of other people at risk."



Story and video of reporters attempting to talk to protesters at their homes, they complain about being bothered-

http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2015/01/marty_walsh_sacks_city_worker_for_role_in_barrel_sit_in_citing
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: spooky on January 19, 2015, 07:09:14 AM
Quote from: ctsignguy on January 17, 2015, 10:21:25 AM
I could see a 'Law and Order" episode from this where the critical patient does pass because of the delay....


I couldn't, since Law & Order was cancelled four years ago.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: mrsman on January 19, 2015, 08:04:40 AM
Quote from: spooky on January 19, 2015, 07:09:14 AM
Quote from: ctsignguy on January 17, 2015, 10:21:25 AM
I could see a 'Law and Order" episode from this where the critical patient does pass because of the delay....


I couldn't, since Law & Order was cancelled four years ago.

But SVU is still on the air, so as long as they could also  tie in rape or something in the storyline, who knows?
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: PHLBOS on January 19, 2015, 09:16:36 AM
Quote from: mrsman on January 19, 2015, 08:04:40 AM
Quote from: spooky on January 19, 2015, 07:09:14 AM
Quote from: ctsignguy on January 17, 2015, 10:21:25 AM
I could see a 'Law and Order" episode from this where the critical patient does pass because of the delay....


I couldn't, since Law & Order was cancelled four years ago.

But SVU is still on the air, so as long as they could also  tie in rape or something in the storyline, who knows?
Is Law & Order - Criminal Intent still on the air?  That show would be more appropriate to have an episode modeled after a protest group blocking an active highway.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: Pete from Boston on January 19, 2015, 11:39:18 AM

Quote from: PHLBOS on January 19, 2015, 09:16:36 AM
Quote from: mrsman on January 19, 2015, 08:04:40 AM
Quote from: spooky on January 19, 2015, 07:09:14 AM
Quote from: ctsignguy on January 17, 2015, 10:21:25 AM
I could see a 'Law and Order" episode from this where the critical patient does pass because of the delay....


I couldn't, since Law & Order was cancelled four years ago.

But SVU is still on the air, so as long as they could also  tie in rape or something in the storyline, who knows?
Is Law & Order - Criminal Intent still on the air?  That show would be more appropriate to have an episode modeled after a protest group blocking an active highway.

Criminal Intent deals more with sociopaths with weird MOs, no?  These folks are not as interesting as all that.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: bandit957 on January 19, 2015, 11:43:39 AM
Then why is it OK for the Tea Party to block roads (as they have done)?
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: bandit957 on January 19, 2015, 11:54:35 AM
Quote from: ne11931 on January 17, 2015, 07:50:28 PM
Boston City worker fired after protest.

From the Boston Herald-


Mayor Martin J. Walsh has fired a 25-year-old city youth worker after learning the Roxbury woman was among 11 protesters who chained themselves to 1,200-pound, concrete-filled barrels in Milton on Thursday, snarling morning rush-hour traffic and stalling at least two ambulances, the Herald has learned.

"As mayor, you have to make tough, difficult decisions. This is not a difficult decision,"  Walsh said. "This was not based on the fact of this woman protesting. It was based on the fact of putting the public safety of other people at risk."

I guess Walsh hates free speech. What a disappointment.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: NE2 on January 19, 2015, 12:01:36 PM
Quote from: bandit957 on January 19, 2015, 11:43:39 AM
Then why is it OK for the Tea Party to block roads (as they have done)?
Because cows.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: spooky on January 19, 2015, 12:02:22 PM
Quote from: bandit957 on January 19, 2015, 11:43:39 AM
Then why is it OK for the Tea Party to block roads (as they have done)?

I missed something. who said it was OK for the Tea Party to block roads?
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: bandit957 on January 19, 2015, 12:08:37 PM
Quote from: spooky on January 19, 2015, 12:02:22 PM
Quote from: bandit957 on January 19, 2015, 11:43:39 AM
Then why is it OK for the Tea Party to block roads (as they have done)?

I missed something. who said it was OK for the Tea Party to block roads?

55KRC, the Tea Party, and the right-wing media.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: Zeffy on January 19, 2015, 12:11:26 PM
Guys, just a friendly reminder that if this topic degrades into a discussion about politics or any sort of flame war, it'll be locked. Thanks!
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: Pete from Boston on January 19, 2015, 01:21:22 PM

Quote from: bandit957 on January 19, 2015, 11:54:35 AM
Quote from: ne11931 on January 17, 2015, 07:50:28 PM
Boston City worker fired after protest.

From the Boston Herald-


Mayor Martin J. Walsh has fired a 25-year-old city youth worker after learning the Roxbury woman was among 11 protesters who chained themselves to 1,200-pound, concrete-filled barrels in Milton on Thursday, snarling morning rush-hour traffic and stalling at least two ambulances, the Herald has learned.

"As mayor, you have to make tough, difficult decisions. This is not a difficult decision,"  Walsh said. "This was not based on the fact of this woman protesting. It was based on the fact of putting the public safety of other people at risk."

I guess Walsh hates free speech. What a disappointment.

Any campaigners that are dismissive of the legitimate needs of the public outside the scope of the cause at issue will result in loss of the support of the public. 

Block ambulances, and you turn from champion of the weak to enemy of them. 

Free speech isn't deciding people must suffer to hear your point.

Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: bandit957 on January 19, 2015, 01:34:58 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 19, 2015, 01:21:22 PM
Block ambulances, and you turn from champion of the weak to enemy of them.

It turns out that they didn't block any ambulances.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: Mr_Northside on January 19, 2015, 02:14:43 PM
Quote from: spooky on January 19, 2015, 12:02:22 PM
Quote from: bandit957 on January 19, 2015, 11:43:39 AM
Then why is it OK for the Tea Party to block roads (as they have done)?

I missed something. who said it was OK for the Tea Party to block roads?

Also, were they also blocking interstates?  (This is not rhetorical, I don't really follow what the Tea Party does, so I don't know if it ever happened). 
I don't mind (too much) if there is some sort of protest/march/rally on local streets, or even other non-limited access facilities in the name of free speech.... But there is a major difference between protesting on the street in front of the courthouse/[gov't building]/whatever, and blocking an interstate - which does strike me as a public safety issue, and pretty stupid.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: hotdogPi on January 19, 2015, 02:29:54 PM
Quote from: Mr_Northside on January 19, 2015, 02:14:43 PM
Quote from: spooky on January 19, 2015, 12:02:22 PM
Quote from: bandit957 on January 19, 2015, 11:43:39 AM
Then why is it OK for the Tea Party to block roads (as they have done)?

I missed something. who said it was OK for the Tea Party to block roads?

Also, were they also blocking interstates?  (This is not rhetorical, I don't really follow what the Tea Party does, so I don't know if it ever happened). 
I don't mind (too much) if there is some sort of protest/march/rally on local streets, or even other non-limited access facilities in the name of free speech.... But there is a major difference between protesting on the street in front of the courthouse/[gov't building]/whatever, and blocking an interstate - which does strike me as a public safety issue, and pretty stupid.

George Washington Bridge (I-95 on the NY/NJ border).
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: PHLBOS on January 19, 2015, 03:51:10 PM
Very telling newsvideo (http://boston.cbslocal.com/video/11043886-i-93-protesters-refuse-to-answer-questions/).
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: bandit957 on January 19, 2015, 04:53:35 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 19, 2015, 03:51:10 PM
Very telling newsvideo (http://boston.cbslocal.com/video/11043886-i-93-protesters-refuse-to-answer-questions/).

This is a hit piece by WBZ-TV. The FCC used to take a very dim view of distorting the news like this.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: Pete from Boston on January 19, 2015, 06:07:06 PM

Quote from: bandit957 on January 19, 2015, 01:34:58 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 19, 2015, 01:21:22 PM
Block ambulances, and you turn from champion of the weak to enemy of them.

It turns out that they didn't block any ambulances.

Sure, Good Samaritan's good enough.  Boston Medical's trauma unit is overrated. 

When you endanger people,"but no one died" is not a defense.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: hbelkins on January 19, 2015, 07:09:40 PM
Quote from: bandit957 on January 19, 2015, 11:43:39 AM
Then why is it OK for the Tea Party to block roads (as they have done)?

(citation needed)
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: ixnay on January 19, 2015, 08:02:26 PM
Quote from: bandit957 on January 19, 2015, 01:34:58 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 19, 2015, 01:21:22 PM
Block ambulances, and you turn from champion of the weak to enemy of them.

It turns out that they didn't block any ambulances.

Are you talking about the ambulances being diverted per, for example, http://www.whdh.com/story/27861085/highway-protests-hinder-transport-of-easton-trauma-patient ?  Or were there no ambulances at all in the backup?

ixnay
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: bandit957 on January 19, 2015, 08:18:10 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 19, 2015, 07:09:40 PM
Quote from: bandit957 on January 19, 2015, 11:43:39 AM
Then why is it OK for the Tea Party to block roads (as they have done)?

(citation needed)

I saw it with my own two eyes.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: SidS1045 on January 19, 2015, 09:35:56 PM
Quote from: bandit957 on January 19, 2015, 04:53:35 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 19, 2015, 03:51:10 PM
Very telling newsvideo (http://boston.cbslocal.com/video/11043886-i-93-protesters-refuse-to-answer-questions/).

This is a hit piece by WBZ-TV. The FCC used to take a very dim view of distorting the news like this.

Asking questions of citizens engaged in protests on a public way is distortion?  Exactly what reality do you live in?

The reporter gave them every fair chance to explain their POV.  They refused.  Too bad they missed their chance...but that's not the reporter's or the station's fault.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: qguy on January 20, 2015, 09:04:13 AM
Quote from: bandit957 on January 19, 2015, 04:53:35 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 19, 2015, 03:51:10 PM
Very telling newsvideo (http://boston.cbslocal.com/video/11043886-i-93-protesters-refuse-to-answer-questions/).

This is a hit piece by WBZ-TV. The FCC used to take a very dim view of distorting the news like this.

Yes, the FCC no longer gets to decide what speech or who's speech gets to be free.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: PHLBOS on January 20, 2015, 10:33:36 AM
Quote from: bandit957 on January 19, 2015, 08:18:10 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 19, 2015, 07:09:40 PM
Quote from: bandit957 on January 19, 2015, 11:43:39 AM
Then why is it OK for the Tea Party to block roads (as they have done)?

(citation needed)

I saw it with my own two eyes.
Date & location?

If there was indeed a closure of a major highway due to a demonstration or rally (regardless of its cause or political perspective) taking place on the highway itself back then; chances are, there's probably a similar thread in the Regional Boards' archives that covered & discussed such.

OTOH, if you're referring to closures of local roads due to a rally, march or whatever taking place; the group(s) may have been obtained permit(s) from the municipality in advance to do such.  These permits are similar in nature to ones issued for block parties.

Had these I-93 demonstrators wanted to rally at Boston's City Hall, for example, and obtained the approved legal permits to close off certain roads for their demonstration/rally; there wouldn't be any discussion here and this thread would not have come to light outside of the Non-Roads section. 

However, since I-93 is a state-owned and operated highway; municipalities typically do not issue permits to close those highways for rallies or demonstrations.  The only non-construction/weather-related highway closure exceptions I'm aware of have been bridge closures for road races (5ks, NYC's Marathon, etc.); but, again, permits for those closures were obviously obtained well in advance and through the proper & legal channels.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: silverback1065 on January 20, 2015, 11:20:49 AM
These people blocking 93 look like idiots, they've completely lost their message by doing something like this.  This isnt going to get your message across, it will just piss people off trying to get to work, and in other cases makes people lose work for the day!
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: bandit957 on January 20, 2015, 11:23:16 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 20, 2015, 10:33:36 AMDate & location?

Covington, KY. April 15, 2010. KY 8 was blocked for a significant time period.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: hbelkins on January 20, 2015, 11:56:13 AM
Quote from: bandit957 on January 20, 2015, 11:23:16 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 20, 2015, 10:33:36 AMDate & location?

Covington, KY. April 15, 2010. KY 8 was blocked for a significant time period.

You may wish to check and see if an encroachment permit was requested and granted for this. KYTC routinely grants permits for closures of state-maintained roads for such things as marches, parades, street festivals and such.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: cbeach40 on January 20, 2015, 02:00:10 PM
Quote from: SidS1045 on January 15, 2015, 03:23:06 PM
If you think Boston commuters are tough, you ain't seen nothin' until you've seen a Pats fan headed for Gillette Stadium.  They'll just run the protesters over.

Ya know, they'd probably be better able to avoid obstacles with their tires properly inflated.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: PHLBOS on January 20, 2015, 03:06:30 PM
Quote from: bandit957 on January 20, 2015, 11:23:16 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 20, 2015, 10:33:36 AMDate & location?

Covington, KY. April 15, 2010. KY 8 was blocked for a significant time period.
Looking at the Google-Earth aerial, KY 8 is not a limited-access highway like I-93 is for the Greater Boston area.  Had similar protesters tried to shut down say I-75 or I-471 in the area; the KY State Police (or Ohio State Police had such been done across the river) would've responded/reacted in a similar manner that the Mass State Police did.   

While KYTC does issue permits for closing a road like KY 8 for items that HB already mentioned; I don't believe they will issue permits to close I-75 or I-471 for any protest or demonstration group.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: SidS1045 on January 20, 2015, 03:10:06 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on January 20, 2015, 02:00:10 PM
Quote from: SidS1045 on January 15, 2015, 03:23:06 PM
If you think Boston commuters are tough, you ain't seen nothin' until you've seen a Pats fan headed for Gillette Stadium.  They'll just run the protesters over.

Ya know, they'd probably be better able to avoid obstacles with their tires properly inflated.

(Sigh.)  It was just a matter of time.

Pats haters gonna hate.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: SidS1045 on January 20, 2015, 03:16:44 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 20, 2015, 10:33:36 AM...since I-93 is a state-owned and operated highway...

...and since it is limited-access, there are pictogram signs posted on all on-ramps (older text version here):

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdome.mit.edu%2Fbitstream%2Fhandle%2F1721.3%2F35351%2FKL_001714_cp.jpg%3Fsequence%3D2&hash=a3def4cdbcd6b26462a7f3edb64ab51c75dc90d0)
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: Pete from Boston on January 20, 2015, 03:20:45 PM

Quote from: cbeach40 on January 20, 2015, 02:00:10 PM
Quote from: SidS1045 on January 15, 2015, 03:23:06 PM
If you think Boston commuters are tough, you ain't seen nothin' until you've seen a Pats fan headed for Gillette Stadium.  They'll just run the protesters over.

Ya know, they'd probably be better able to avoid obstacles with their tires properly inflated.

The difference is that with tires, the effect of inflation in preventing a blowout isn't imaginary.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: PHLBOS on January 20, 2015, 03:30:25 PM
Quote from: SidS1045 on January 20, 2015, 03:16:44 PM...and since it is limited-access, there are pictogram signs posted on all on-ramps (older text version here):

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdome.mit.edu%2Fbitstream%2Fhandle%2F1721.3%2F35351%2FKL_001714_cp.jpg%3Fsequence%3D2&hash=a3def4cdbcd6b26462a7f3edb64ab51c75dc90d0)
An old Central Artery shot; nice.  Note the (Let's Elect)* Whittier, Our Next Governor banner. 
*best guess, it's a tad hard to read on the photo.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: Pete from Boston on January 20, 2015, 03:51:05 PM
Sumner Gage Whittier (as Massachusetts a name as they come), then Lieutenant Governor, ran for the corner office in 1956.  He lost to Foster Furcolo.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: cbeach40 on January 20, 2015, 05:33:03 PM
Quote from: SidS1045 on January 20, 2015, 03:10:06 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on January 20, 2015, 02:00:10 PM
Quote from: SidS1045 on January 15, 2015, 03:23:06 PM
If you think Boston commuters are tough, you ain't seen nothin' until you've seen a Pats fan headed for Gillette Stadium.  They'll just run the protesters over.

Ya know, they'd probably be better able to avoid obstacles with their tires properly inflated.

(Sigh.)  It was just a matter of time.

Pats haters gonna hate.

In fairness, I don't particualy care about the NFL or the Pats. It was just the easy joke to make.  :-P
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: Alps on January 20, 2015, 06:28:54 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on January 20, 2015, 02:00:10 PM
Quote from: SidS1045 on January 15, 2015, 03:23:06 PM
If you think Boston commuters are tough, you ain't seen nothin' until you've seen a Pats fan headed for Gillette Stadium.  They'll just run the protesters over.

Ya know, they'd probably be better able to avoid obstacles with their tires properly inflated.
:clap:
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: Alps on January 20, 2015, 06:29:46 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 20, 2015, 03:30:25 PM
Quote from: SidS1045 on January 20, 2015, 03:16:44 PM...and since it is limited-access, there are pictogram signs posted on all on-ramps (older text version here):
An old Central Artery shot; nice.  Note the (Let's Elect)* Whittier, Our Next Governor banner. 
*best guess, it's a tad hard to read on the photo.
Click on the image for a blowup. Let's Make.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: lordsutch on January 20, 2015, 07:56:02 PM
While of course the protesters in this case (as well as the ones who shut down the Downtown Connector in Atlanta a few weeks before the election, for that matter) have the right to protest, the courts have consistently rules that protests and marches are subject to "reasonable time, place, and manner" restrictions and that governments can regulate large or potentially disruptive gatherings of people to ensure public safety and access to businesses and government buildings. For example, the courts have upheld rules restricting protests immediately outside abortion clinics, and no doubt they would uphold the arrests of those who engaged in these protests.

However, the government cannot discriminate on the basis of viewpoint; so, for example, it couldn't forbid this protest from shutting down I-93 but allow a Tea Party group to march down I-93. Since general blanket restrictions on pedestrians that were implemented for safety reasons* don't discriminate based on one's point of view, again the protesters in this case were rightly arrested and charged with various offenses.

* I leave aside the possibility of a pedestrian restriction implemented to thwart a particular group from espousing its message. For example, if the state of Alabama were to completely restrict pedestrians from crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma after having allowed pedestrians to cross it for the last 75 years, you might be able to argue in court that this was being done to deter or limit expressions of solidarity with the Civil Rights Movement.
Title: Re: Protestors shut down I-93 near Boston
Post by: KEVIN_224 on January 20, 2015, 08:54:58 PM
WOW! The name of the guy who was running for State Secretary! Oh...KAY! :P

All we need now are some group of copy-caters repeating this elsewhere! :(

To think, I'd have to go by that spot in Milton, MA, should I make the trip from Boston towards Providence.