Boston Common protesters curse at media after pro-Palestinian supporters held on bail

Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald on Oct 8, 2025

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BOSTON — Supporters of the pro-Palestinian protester charged with punching a Boston Police officer and breaking his nose cursed at reporters, shielding themselves with keffiyehs, after their companion was taken from the courtroom in handcuffs.

Judge James M. Stanton ordered Roder Atwood, 21, of Somerville, held on $10,000 bail, drawing gasps from those who sat in the gallery at Boston Municipal Court Central, the morning after a protest turned violent at Boston Common.

Five other protesters arrested during Tuesday night’s melee have been ordered held on either $500 or $1,000 bail. All six individuals arraigned on Wednesday, including Atwood, also received orders to stay away from the Common.

The Boston Police Department arrested 13 individuals in total, charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and disturbing the peace. The remaining seven defendants will be arraigned on Thursday.

In a statement Wednesday afternoon, Suffolk County DA Kevin Hayden condemned the violence.

“These defendants were not in court today because they were protesting,” Hayden said. They were in court because they committed crimes. If you assault police and commit other offenses you’re going to be arrested and prosecuted, period.”

“Peaceful protests happen all the time in this city, he added. We support everyone’s right to protest. But these individuals chose against protesting peacefully and they are now facing the consequences of those choices.”

After the court session ended on Wednesday, a group of supporters refused to answer questions from reporters on the chaos that ensued at the Common, continuing a stretch of attacks against city police officers.

Supporters blocked their faces and bodies with masks and keffiyehs, a scarf connected to Palestinian liberation. They grew agitated and combative as reporters pressed questions.

“You are harassing us,” one supporter said. “(Expletive) leave, (expletive) leave. (Expletive) you.”

Atwood, a 21-year-old senior studying cognitive science at Tufts University, also faces charges of assault and battery on a police officer and assault and battery resulting in serious bodily injury.

Atwood is accused of punching a Boston police officer in the face, prompting that officer to be taken to a local hospital for treatment. According to the incident report, the officer is likely in need of reconstructive surgery for a broken nose.

Three other BPD officers were also injured, with one also being taken to the hospital for treatment on an injury considered not to be life-threatening.

Defense attorney Peter A. O’Karma requested that Stanton set Atwood’s bail at $500.

“He … obviously has a significant number of members of the community supporting him,” O’Karma said, while pointing at Atwood’s supporters. “He has a significant amount of ties to the community, has zero (criminal) record.”

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