Minister, Reverend Among Those Arrested at West Roxbury Pipeline Protest

Three protestors, including a minister and reverend, were arrested Tuesday at the construction site for Spectra Energy’s natural gas pipeline in Boston’s West Roxbury neighborhood.

Police said emotions boiled over after an hour-long standoff. Reverend Anne Bancroft, of West Roxbury’s Theodore Parker Church, Minister Martha Niebank, of Brookline’s First Parish, and local resident Chuck Collins, of Newton, all banded together and got in the face of officers guarding the worksite, according to police.

The three chatted with officers, standing on a median above a trench fitted for pipe installation, police said. The trio made several attempts to enter the worksite, but officers denied them. After an hour had passed, the three were cuffed by the officers.

Roughly 30 people turned out to protest the pipeline, which is set to run through an active blasting quarry, situated in area with many families and schools. Protestors at the site chanted “Shame on Spectra,” among many other things.

It’s unclear if the three will face charges, but they each firmly believe the pipeline will create a threat to the environment and those living in the neighborhood.