BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Boston Mayor Marty Walsh called protests on the Expressway Thursday "dangerous" and says he won't "tolerate putting people in jeopardy" because they're unwilling to sit down and talk with him.
When asked by FOX 25 Political Reporter Sharman Sacchetti if he was being too lenient on protesters, Walsh said, "I don't necessarily think there's a leniency thing."
He went on to say, "I think it's unfortunate what they did today and I don't think it's helping their cause. People are starting to get tired of this because of the unwillingness to sit down and have a conversation."
Walsh said before this, Boston police had stopped protesters four times from getting on the highway. In his State of the City this week, the mayor said Boston has unfinished business because of its past. When Sacchetti asked if he believes they're just being disruptive, he said, "I think there's a fraction of people, there's a part of that. There's certainly a fraction, but I think some of the organizers do want to make a difference."
So far, the amount paid in overtime to Mass. State Police who worked the protests is $634,645. In Boston, that number is $884,545, which includes overtime in November, December and all of First Night when there was also a demonstration.
"This is a very serious matter," Baker said. He spoke to Walsh by phone Thursday morning and said safety is his top priority.
"There's a difference between peaceful protests and a protest that gets in the way of regular people's daily activities and this one I think crossed the link and that's why I think it's appropriate that they were arrested," he said.
So will this continue?
Walsh says it may until there is a solution. He says it's an issue in the budget, he'd like to use more money for community policing, not pulling protesters off highways.
Courtesy @timalben
