On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, officers assigned to the Dignitary Protection Unit (DPU) made multiple arrests at Boston City Hall following a coordinated disruption of a Boston City Council meeting.
At approximately 2:50 p.m., a group of 15 to 20 individuals who had been seated in the public gallery of the Iannella Chamber rose in unison, unfurled signs bearing political messages, crossed into the restricted area of the chamber, and began loudly chanting and waving signs, bringing the meeting to a halt. City Council President Breadon, who was presiding over the meeting, repeatedly called the chamber to order but was unable to restore decorum due to the level of noise.
Officers from the DPU, who are responsible for the security of City Hall and its occupants, were present in the chamber. Due to the rapidly evolving situation, including uncertainty about the chamber’s occupancy level and the availability of safe egress, officers requested additional BPD units via radio. After consulting with city council staff, a decision was made to clear all bystanders from the chamber in an orderly manner so the situation could be assessed. Council staff and responding officers facilitated an orderly exit. All bystanders complied.
Property Management Department (PMD) leadership, which oversees building management at City Hall and holds the authority to issue trespass notices, was also on scene. Following discussions with city council staff, PMD determined that the remaining demonstrators were not permitted to stay within the chamber, as they were actively disrupting a public meeting. PMD advised that those who refused to leave voluntarily would be considered trespassing.
In the interest of de-escalation, officers chose not to directly engage the demonstrators at first. Instead, several elected officials volunteered to serve as intermediaries. As a result of those negotiations, approximately half of the group chose to leave voluntarily and were escorted out of the building without further incident.
The remaining eight individuals refused to leave. They lay on the floor and linked arms. City council staff and city officials informed them on multiple occasions that they were required to vacate the premises or face arrest. Officers allowed an additional 30 minutes for negotiations to continue, but were ultimately advised that the group would not leave willingly.
Officers then made a formal verbal announcement, in the presence of a PMD representative, informing each individual that PMD had deemed them no longer welcome in City Hall. Officers spoke with each person individually, confirmed they understood the announcement, and offered each a final opportunity to leave. Each individual indicated they understood but remained on the floor.
Seven individuals were placed under arrest for Trespass:
- George Lee Jr., 43, of Dorchester
- Jonathan M. Barry, 40, of Roslindale
- Linda A. Jenkins, 77, of Malden
- Nancy Ellen Griffin, 59
- Vikiana Petit-Homme, 24
- Margaret Hughes, 32
- Rebecca A. Pierce, 82, of Dorchester
An eighth individual was not arrested on scene. Officers will seek an Application for Criminal Complaint at Boston Municipal Court charging a 28-year-old woman with Trespass.
All individuals were transported and booked in the usual manner. The city council meeting resumed following the incident without further disruption.
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