A year later, I-93 protester explains the ‘simple’ reason she blocked traffic
The demonstration brought traffic to a standstill for hours as police attempted to remove protesters from the scene.
Nearly one year ago, Nicole Sullivan joined a group of protesters that shut down the morning commute on I-93 for a simple reason.
“I did what I did because police are shooting black people in my name, and therefore it’s my responsibility to help change things,’’ she said. “It’s really that simple.’’
Sullivan’s comments came in the form of an op-ed in DigBoston on Tuesday, in which she defended the protests, offered her support to the Black Lives Matter movement, and criticized what she said was the “hypocrisy’’ of local media, politicians, and the public.
Sullivan, 25, of Somerville, said she was one of six people who linked their arms inside concrete-filled barrels on I-93 northbound in Milton last January 15. The demonstration brought traffic to a standstill for hours as police attempted to remove protesters from the scene.
Another group of protesters also snarled traffic in Medford at the same time as part of a coordinated demonstration. A total of 29 people were arrested at the two locations.
Sullivan has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the demonstration, including trespassing, resisting arrest and obstructing an emergency vehicle. In July, she was also charged with six counts of impeding an emergency vehicle, a spokesperson for the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office said.
The protests were criticized by local politicians and law enforcement, including Mayor Marty Walsh and Gov. Charlie Baker, for endangering commuters and delaying ambulances. State representative Colleen Garryintroduced legislation that would make the blocking of highway traffic punishable by an attempt to murder charge.
“Many times over the past year, I have wondered if what I did mattered,’’ she wrote, saying the demonstration was a “necessary sacrifice for justice.’’
Sullivan mentioned the names of several black women, including Sandra Bland, whose deaths have sparked protests and criticism of police actions around the country.
“I considered using this space to list their names, but there are just too many who have lost their lives since I sat down on the highway, so many more brutalized, raped and incarcerated,’’ she wrote. “[A]nd all people want to talk about is traffic and inconvenience and the people who didn’t die.’’
The group of protesters, who described themselves as a “diverse group of LGBTQA, white, pan-Asian and Latin@ people acting in solidarity with Black Lives Matter,’’released a statement explaining the protest at the time.
They have since largely shied away from media attention because the local media has not fairly covered their movement, Sullivan wrote.
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