Somerville Sent Officers To Help At Boston Protest

SOMERVILLE, MA – The Somerville Police Department sent officers to Boston Sunday night to assist at a protest over the police killing of George Floyd, Chief David Fallon said. The decision went beyond the two departments' mutual aid agreement, which has drawn scrutiny at past events like the Straight Pride Parade, and into providing a safe environment for peaceful protesters.

"We stand with and are proud of the peaceful protesters for voicing their calls for change and for demanding that what happened to Mr. Floyd never happens again," Fallon said.

Fallon said four officers and a supervisor were initially sent to help with the peaceful demonstration, and after Boston police sent out a call for further aid around 11 p.m., four more officers and another supervisor were provided.

Clashes between authorities and people who lingered hours after protests wound down marred what started as an optimistic day Sunday, as Boston joined other major cities across the country in hosting rallies that devolved into violence.

Nine officers were hospitalized, while dozens more were treated for injuries in the streets. Their injuries are not life-threatening, police said.

Fifty-three people were arrested and one person was issued a summons. Of those arrested, 24 were from outside Boston and two were from outside Massachusetts, Boston police Commissioner William Gross said.

"Procedurally just, compassionate, unbiased policing must be our path moving forward," Fallon said. "As a Department we are working to help keep the focus on this message and not focus on the few who followed the peaceful protests with harm and havoc. Our message is clear: we as a profession and society can and must face our failings and do so much better."