20 climate protestors arrested at Hanscom Airport

BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — Massachusetts State Police said that 20 people were arrested at Hanscom Airport Saturday after they breached a security perimeter and trespassed on the tarmac.

State police said that the group were part of a protest and the trespassers were charged with “trespassing, disorderly conduct, and potentially other related charges.”

The climate groups Extinction Rebellion Boston and Extinction Rebellion Vermont took credit for the incident and said it was in protest of a planned expansion to the airfield’s private jet capacity.

The group said that protestors stood on the tarmac to prevent planes from being able to taxi, stood around the wheels of jets and refused to move, and held signs that read “Stop Private Jet Expansion,” “Cool Your Jets,” and “Our carbon budgets will be spent, all thanks to the 1%!”

“The public comment period for the proposed Hanscom Airfield expansion’s Draft Environmental Impact Report lasts through May 10, and this demonstration is our community’s public comment against this egregious development,” XR Boston Spokesperson Jamie McGonagill said. “The residents of Massachusetts don’t want it, and sending letters to Massport isn’t getting the message across.”