At noon on December 15th 2011, 40 protesters gathered at Dewey Square in opposition of the passage of the National Defence Authorization Act (or NDAA). This day had been chosen for two reasons: First, that congress had passed the NDAA the day prior. And Second, that it was the 220th birthday of the ratification of the Bill Of Rights.
At 12:30pm, the march began to move outside of Dewey Square with protesters chanting “No Trials, No Way, Veto the
Historical marker at former Federal Street Church site
NDAA!”, and “Military Detention, Police State Invention.” When the march reached the former site of the Long Lane Meeting House & Federal Street Church (which is now occupied by a branch of Bank Of America), there was a moment of silence for freedom which is in jeopardy if the NDAA is signed into law.
The march then continued to the JFK Federal Building where the Rally and Speak Out began. By his time, the amount of protesters had grown to 60. Several speakers, including members of the ACLU of Massachusetts, American Friends Service Committee – New England, Boston United Antiwar Coalition, Amnesty International, and journalist Ayesha Kazmi, all of whom spoke about the dire implications this bill would have on our rights and liberties as American citizens.
MBTA's Civil Disturbance Unit
In a moment of irony, the MBTA’s official Civil Disturbance Unit, a large jet-black bus outfitted with surveillance cameras, armor, shields, and an arsenal of tear gas and pepper spray grenades, which was built for the purpose of intimidating malcontents, stopped directly in front of the ongoing protest to the shock of the crowd. For a moment, there was complete silence while people gathered themselves in an uncomfortable moment. A moment later, the Civil Disturbance Unit drove off, and the Rally and Speakout continued until dispersal.
