Boston Youth Worker Fired For Role In Milton Protest
BOSTON (CBS) – A Boston city youth worker was among the 11 protesters arrested this week for her part in blocking traffic on Interstate 93 in Milton.
That employee lost her job as a result.
Nelli Routsalainen, 25, served as a part-time employee for the city for about two months, according to a statement from Mayor Marty Walsh's office.
She was a Youth Communications Specialist for the Department of Youth Engagement and Employment.
Read: Protester Says Negative Reaction To I-93 Demonstration 'Hard To Stomach'
"The Mayor's Office learned on Thursday evening that a City employee was arrested on seven counts, including resisting arrest, conspiracy and willfully obstructing an emergency vehicle, as a result of the protests on I-93 earlier that morning," the statement said.
"On Friday, the City conducted a hearing with the employee and following that hearing, the employee was terminated. Mayor Walsh strongly respects the right to protest and the right to free speech, however finds it unacceptable for a City employee to put public safety at risk."
Routsalainen, of Roxbury, was arraigned Thursday in Quincy District Court on charges of Trespassing, Throwing Glass on a Public Way, Willfully Obstructing an Emergency Vehicle, Conspiracy, Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Arrest and Throwing an Object on a Public Way.
In total, 29 protesters were arrested Thursday in separate demonstrations in Milton and Medford, where activists created a human chain to block traffic.