Massachusetts State Police arrest protesters blocking train Friday

Protesters refused to leave while blocking a train this morning, leading to several arrests.

According to Dave Procopio of Massachusetts State Police, at 1:17 a.m. today, Harvard, Mass., Police requested assistance from Massachusetts State Police in removing protesters who were blocking passage of a train on the Pan Am Railroad tracks at the end of Depot Road in Harvard. Troopers from State Police-Leominster and the MSP K9 Section responded to assist and found that protesters had built scaffolding atop the tracks to disrupt train service.

Procopio stated that Harvard firefighters dismantled the scaffolding.

Four protesters refused orders to disperse and were taken into custody at approximately 7 a.m. for Trespassing, Walking or Standing on Railroad Tracks, and Obstruction of Passing of Train.

Timothy M. Dechristopher, 38, of Pawtucket, R.I.; Adam Rice, 30, of South Portland, Maine; Cody T. Pajic, 21, of Pembroke; and Gia N. Neswald, 50, of Turners Falls were booked at State Police-Leominster and transported to Clinton District Court for arraignment.

The demonstrators were reportedly protesting use of fossil fuels.