AYER — Environmental activists brandishing signs protesting
the use of gas and coal were arrested after they blocked the path of an
oncoming freight train during the early morning hours Sunday, authorities say.
Between 15 and 20 protesters — bundled in winter gear — were
found by police standing on the train tracks at about 3:45 a.m., according to
the Ayer Police Department Facebook page. The group held signs that stated,
“Stop the coal trains,” and “Coal Kills.”
After the protesters refused to leave the tracks, Ayer
Police said they contacted state police and police departments in Groton , Harvard, Littleton
According to police, 12 protesters were taken into custody
and charged with trespassing on railroad property. They will be arraigned in
Ayer District Court on Monday.
The names of the protesters facing charges were not
immediately available.
An investigation into the protest forced Ayer Police Sgt.
John MacDonald to break away from a motor vehicle accident involving a car into
a tree, according to the police Facebook post.
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