Climate activists block tracks carrying coal train in Harvard

HARVARD, Mass. — Activists protesting the largest coal-fired plant in New England blocked train tracks deep in the woods of Harvard early Friday and set up scaffolding above the tracks.

At least four protesters refused to leave the tracks that help move coal to the Merrimack Generating Station in Bow, N.H., but others left on their own, Harvard police told Boston 25 News.

They arrived at the site around 10:30 Thursday night and set up scaffolding above the tracks where they camped out. The group appeared to be part of the Climate Disobedience Center, which supports “logistical, legal and spiritual resources, on the ground assistance, and advice to climate activists engaged in civil disobedience across the country,” according to the center’s website, and has organized similar protests, including one in Worcester last weekend that led to 10 arrests.

“This campaign is not about this one action, it’s about shutting this plant down for good and addressing the climate crisis,” Dana Dwindell-Yardley told Boston 25 News at the site. “This is just one piece of that...eventually we’d like to speak with a representative and negotiate a shutdown date.”

A reporter for Patch said some protesters received summonses for trespassing and others were arrested after refusing to move. The exact number is not clear. Police said the protestors were passively resistant but not combative.

Harvard police said a tactical team from the Harvard Fire Department eventually removed the four protesters that were refusing to leave the tracks around 5 a.m. Friday.

The tracks were cleared by 9 a.m. Friday morning.

Climate activists block coal train from traveling through Harvard The train was en route to a coal-fired plant in Bow, New Hampshire, one of the largest in New England.

This is a developing story...

© 2020 Cox Media Group