Climate Activists are Arrested for Blocking Planes

By Hollie Raposo

On Saturday, 20 activists were arrested at Hanscom Field Airport in Bedford, Mass. The activists were non-violent protesting the expansive private jet hangars, the group said. The Boston chapter of Extinction Rebellion said the protestors wanted to prevent flights from taking off at the region’s largest noncommercial airport.

The Massachusetts police responded to the airport and arrested the protesters for trespassing on private property. The 20 protesters are facing charges of disorderly conduct and trespassing and are expected to attend court this week. The airport was temporarily closed on Saturday to avoid further incidents.

Protesters were reported by XR to have entered the board area of fixed base operators, blocking planes from being able to land. Circling wheels of planes and some standing in the way of outgoing planes trying to takeoff.

The demonstration had been planned for four months for the additional 17 planes that were subject to be flying. Many protesters have a deep hatred for private jets, especially the ones out of Hanscom that are more for recreational and luxury travel. 20 frequent flyers are responsible for 14,930 tons of carbon emissions over 18 months.

More than 14,000 people have signed a petition to halt Hanscom’s expansion. But “only the governor has any power over Massport,” as said on the petition.