Boston DA upgrades charges to felony ‘promotion of anarchy’ after Oct. 7 riot; four officers injured
Suffolk County prosecutors upgraded charges for all 13 people arrested after an Oct. 7 pro-Palestinian rally in Boston to the felony of “promotion of anarchy,” saying review of promotional posters — including a quoted Hamas line and imagery of a burning police cruiser — and organizing material justified the enhancement and in some cases bail up to $10,000. Boston police and the patrolmen’s union say protesters surrounded and blocked cruisers, allegedly luring officers into a “gauntlet,” injuring four officers and damaging gear (bodycams, radios, bicycles), and that some arrestees — including Osama El Khatib — assaulted officers to help others escape.
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📌 Key Facts
- Suffolk County DA upgraded charges for all 13 arrestees to the felony 'promotion of anarchy' after reviewing promotional posters — including a Hamas quote and imagery of a burning police cruiser — tied to the Oct. 7 disturbance.
- A DA spokesperson said the organizing material promoted violence against police and posed an immediate public-safety threat, which justified the enhanced charges.
- Boston Police reported four officers were injured during the Oct. 7 incident and that equipment (bodycams, radios, bicycles) was forcibly removed and damaged; officers said protesters surrounded cruisers, kicked vehicle doors, struck an officer in the face, and ignited smoke devices and flares while resisting dispersal.
- Boston Police Patrolmen's Association President Larry Calderone said officers were 'lured' into a 'gauntlet' with cars blocking the intersection and preventing retreat, and he warned violent agitators they are 'not welcome' in Boston while affirming support for peaceful protest.
- Authorities named 13 arrestees and set bail up to $10,000; Fox listed the defendants and ages as: Osama Khatib (26), Roder Atwood (21), Atalanta Carrig-Braun (20), Haley MacIntyre (24), Madeline Weikel (27), Jacob Pettigrew (22), Amun Prophet (25), Laith Hintzman (19), Benjamin Choucroun (20), Owen Woodcock (26), Prahlad Iyengar (25), Styx Hatch (19), and Gabrielle Smith (28).
- Prosecutors allege that one defendant, identified as Osama El Khatib, punched officers to help others escape during the disturbance.
📰 Sources (3)
Police union leader says pro-Palestinian rioters ‘lured’ officers into 'gauntlet,' warns agitators
New information:
- Boston Police Patrolmen's Association President Larry Calderone alleges officers were 'lured' into a 'gauntlet' with cars blocking the intersection, preventing retreat.
- BPD detailed that protesters surrounded cruisers, kicked vehicle doors, resisted dispersal, struck an officer in the face, and ignited smoke devices and flares; some officers reported equipment was forcibly removed and damaged.
- Fox lists the 13 arrestees by name and age: Osama Khatib (26), Roder Atwood (21), Atalanta Carrig-Braun (20), Haley MacIntyre (24), Madeline Weikel (27), Jacob Pettigrew (22), Amun Prophet (25), Laith Hintzman (19), Benjamin Choucroun (20), Owen Woodcock (26), Prahlad Iyengar (25), Styx Hatch (19), Gabrielle Smith (28).
- Union president issues a warning that violent agitators are 'not welcome' in Boston, while affirming support for peaceful protest.
Pro-Palestinian agitators hit with felony 'promotion of anarchy' charge after riot in Dem-run city: officials
New information:
- Suffolk County DA upgraded charges for all 13 arrestees to felony 'promotion of anarchy' after reviewing promotional posters featuring a Hamas quote and a burning police cruiser.
- Boston Police say four officers were injured and gear was damaged (bodycams, radios, bicycles) during the Oct. 7 disturbance.
- Named defendants and bail set (up to $10,000), including allegations that Osama El Khatib punched officers to help others escape.
- DA spokesperson said the organizing material promoted violence against police and posed an immediate public-safety threat, justifying enhanced charges.