13 arrested, four police officers injured in violent Boston Common protest: ‘Completely despicable.’

Thirteen people were arrested Tuesday night in connection with a pro-Palestinian protest that turned violent on the Boston Common and left four police officers injured, including some with broken bones, according to officials.

Protesters “turned on police” at approximately 6:50 p.m. when they began to move from the Common to the area of Tremont and Winter streets, Boston Police said.

“At that time, protesters turned on police, kicking a marked cruiser, assaulting officers, blocking traffic, and setting off devices causing red smoke in the air,” Boston Police spokesman Sgt. Det. John Boyle said in a Tuesday night statement.

Four police officers were injured in connection with the incident. Two officers were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Police have preliminary reports of officers with broken bones, but all injuries are considered non-life-threatening, Boyle said.

“Another night of violence against police officers in Boston tonight,” said Larry Calderone, president of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association.

“Our officers were attacked, assaulted and sent to the hospital with injuries. Completely despicable and totally unacceptable. We were outnumbered and understaffed for the event,” he continued.

“We need to put more officers out on the street at these events and help protect ourselves from these ruthless attacks. It’s happening far too often lately with no repercussions,” Calderone told the Herald.

The protesters appeared to be tied to the pro-Palestinian movement. A flyer distributed ahead of the event urged protesters to “Flood Downtown for Palestine.” The demonstration occurred on the two-year anniversary of the Hamas terror attack on Israel that sparked war in the region.

Those charged in the incident would likely be arraigned at Boston Municipal Court on New Chardon Street, which, according to police, has jurisdiction for where the arrests occurred.

Gov. Maura Healey on Wednesday criticized protesters for crossing the line.

“Protest peacefully — that’s your right,” Healey said in a post to social media.  “But blocking traffic and attacking police are not, and anyone who does should be held fully accountable.”

The eruption of chaos and assault on police is the second such incident that occurred in the past two days. A police cruiser was torched and officers were assaulted early Sunday morning when a street-racing takeover with over 100 participants turned violent at the intersection of Tremont Street and Massachusetts Avenue.

Two men from Rhode Island have been arrested so far in that incident and police have vowed to bring charges against more.

City Councilor Ed Flynn said violence against police must stop.

“As a city, we can’t accept the ongoing violence against the men and women of the Boston Police Department. This must stop now,” Flynn said.

“Those arrested for violence against a police officer and if convicted, a state prison sentence is necessary. We can’t allow this city to be taken over by violent protesters.”

Mayor Michelle Wu praised the police this morning in a statement saying: “We are extremely grateful for the work of the Boston Police in keeping the city safe and in supporting the right to peacefully protest. Boston will not tolerate violence, and we categorically condemn those who came into our community to attack our police officers. The individuals who engaged in these attacks must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

The list of those arrested, also released to the press today, includes seven suspects from Boston.

AM Update

Police announced this morning that the following protesters will be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court:

Osama El Khatib, 26, Watertown

Roder Atwood, 21, Somerville

Atlanta Carrig-Braun, 20, Boston

Haley Macintyre, 24, Dorchester

Madeline Weikel, 27, Watertown

Jacob Pettigrew, 22, Malden

Amun Prophet, 25, Allston

Laith Hintzman, 19, Boston

Benjamin Andre Choucroun, 20, Medford

Owen Woodcock, 26, Boston

Prahlad Iyengar, 25, Boston

Styx Hatch, 19, Boston

Gabrielle Smith, 28, Cambridge

All are charged with: Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct, and Disturbing the Peace. Atwood faces additional charges of ABPO — assault and battery on a police officer — and Destruction of Property.