Thousands gather in Boston to protest recent grand jury decisions
Multiple protesters taken into custody near Nashua Street Jail
More than 20 people were arrested Saturday in Boston while protesting recent grand jury decisions not to indict police officers involved in the deaths of unarmed black men.
In a rally that started at the Massachusetts State House, thousands of protesters marched through the streets of Boston, snarling traffic throughout the city.
Watch NewsCenter 5's report | Images: Thousands march through Boston
The crowd protested grand jury decisions to not indict a New York City officer in the chokehold death of Eric Garner and a Ferguson, Missouri, officer in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown.
The mostly peaceful protests backed up traffic in parts of the city. Charles Street to Beacon Street was closed off by police at 12:30 p.m.
The I-93 tunnel, including exits 23, 24, and 20 were closed Saturday afternoon due to protesters on Boston Streets. All ramps going into Leverett Circle were also closed.
Police blocked the entrance to the TD Garden, where the Boston Bruins played the Ottawa Senators Saturday afternoon.
Watch: Signs express frustration, hope during Boston protests
Protesters on Martha Road, near North Station, sat down in the middle of the street and held die-ins. Marching from Martha Road and Causeway Street, protesters then made their way to the Nashua Street Jail.
Crowds then moved toward the I-93 entrance near the jail where they were stopped by police.
23 protesters were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct during the march on Saturday, according to police. Arrested were 15 men and eight women.
"Several demonstrators who failed to comply with the law despite orders to do so have been taken into custody in the area of Nashua Street, near the ramps to Route 93," police said in a statement.
Protesters then marched from Nashua Street toward Tremont Street at Park Street.
Police continued crowd control in the area Saturday afternoon. All ramps to Leverett Circle were reopened by 3:30 p.m.
The Mass Pike westbound to Clarendon Street was closed st 4 p.m. due to the protests, according to police.
State Police said they worked with Boston police to ensure the safety of protesters on Saturday.
"The Massachusetts State Police, working in conjunction with Boston Police and other law enforcement agencies, will continue to work together to ensure that the rights of all citizens are preserved and that the area remains safe for everyone," Massachusetts State Police Col. Timothy P. Alben said in a statement.
State Police said in protests in Boston and across the country, protesters have tried to gain access to highways and interstates in an attempt to impact traffic to further their message.
"I can't imagine a more dangerous environment with an inherent threat of injury or senseless death than that created by individuals walking on or attempting to obstruct unsuspecting drivers on a limited-access, interstate highway," Alben said.
State Police said people use highways leading into Boston to come from all over New England to reach medical facilities, and attempting to stop traffic can have "unanticipated and often catastrophic consequences."
Extra troopers and officers were assigned at key locations Saturday to perform crowd control.