Climate activists block traffic on Moakley Bridge during evening rush hour

Climate activists blocked traffic on Boston’s Moakley Bridge during the evening rush hour on Monday, calling on Gov. Maura Healey to ban new fossil fuel infrastructure in the state. 

The demonstration, organized by the Boston chapter of the group Extinction Rebellion, began with a “Rebels Earth Day Party ” at the Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park before protesters took to the street around 5 p.m., walking along the waterfront to the Moakley Bridge. 

During the protest, Boston police urged motorists to seek a different route into South Boston while traffic was blocked on the bridge. 

In a statement posted to X, Extinction Rebellion said they were occupying the bridge to call on Healey to ban new fossil fuel infrastructure in the state, including expansions at airports. 

“Extinction Rebellion will continue to disrupt various sectors of society until the Healey administration takes the critical first step in addressing the climate emergency by introducing a ban on new gas hookups,” Alex Chambers, a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion Boston, said.

Twenty members of Extinction Rebellion were arrested Saturday at Hanscom Field in Bedford during a protest against the proposed expansion of private jet usage at the hangar. The Boston chapter of the group has previously  blocked traffic downtown, covered the Citgo sign with a banner, and occupied Healey’s office in other demonstrations.

Traffic had reopened by 6:30 p.m., according to Boston police.