News - Editorial: Criminal coddling off the table when protesters assault cops

If Boston is serious about putting an end to violent protests and attacks on police officers, it should stop the criminal-coddling and start serving up real consequences. Jail, fines and if an officer is seriously injured, prison time. Protesters decided that Tuesday, the two-year anniversary of the Hamas terror attack on Israel, was the perfect time to launch a pro-Palestinian protest in downtown Boston. Whether deliberately obtuse or desperate to earn their “look at me I’m a rebel” patches, they gathered on the Common in the accessory du jour, keffiyehs. At approximately 6:50 p.m., they “turned on police.” No surprise there. Police are on the “people we hate” checklist of the professionally aggrieved chanters and screamers who’ve made American cities their stage. “At that time, protesters turned on police, kicking a marked cruiser, assaulting officers, blocking traffic, and setting off devices causing red smoke in the air,” Boston Police spokesman Sgt. Det. John Boyle said in a statement. As the Herald reported, a flyer distributed ahead of the event urged protesters to “Flood Downtown for Palestine,” as if clogging Boston streets will get Hamas to release the hostages, commit to a peace deal and stop using the Palestinian people as pawns. Four police officers were injured in connection with the incident. Two officers were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Police have preliminary reports of officers with broken bones, but all injuries are considered non-life-threatening, Boyle said. “We need to put more officers out on the street at these events and help protect ourselves from these ruthless attacks. It’s happening far too often lately with no repercussions,” said Larry Calderone, president of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association. No repercussions — Calderone hit the nail on the head. Because the suspects lining up in court masked as if we’re six months into the COVID pandemic are facing justice in a progressive city. It’s one that looks for “root causes” of violent behavior, with punishment for such crimes an afterthought. The same people who decry ICE agents masking up while patrolling American streets turn a blind eye to protesters covering their faces. One can’t be wrong and the other right. Unless, of course, you know that employers frown on would-be hires spotted at violent protests. Today’s social justice warriors will shout their demands from the rooftops, anonymously of course. It was the second night of chaos and assault on police in as many days. A police cruiser was torched and officers were assaulted early Sunday morning when a street-racing takeover with over 100 participants turned violent at the intersection of Tremont Street and Massachusetts Avenue. What we need are repercussions. And that requires judicial courage. The kind that doesn’t view law enforcement as the bad guys and criminals as victims. Assault police officers? Send some to the hospital? Enjoy your prison sentence. You can probably still wear your COVID mask.