7 Arrested After Protesters Park Across I-95 In Providence

PROVIDENCE, RI — Seven people were arrested after protesters again blocked part of the highway in Providence Monday night. Three vehicles, including a U-Haul box truck, were used to block all lanes on Interstate 95 north near the state offices split.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation reported the lanes were blocked at Exit 23 at 9:33 p.m. According to police, protesters parked across all four lanes with the truck and two other vehicles, completely blocking traffic for about seven minutes and causing traffic to back up for about half a mile.

The protesters then got out of the vehicles, put traffic cones of the road and stood across the highway holding signs.

"This was an extremely dangerous situation, but luckily no one was hurt by the reckless conduct of these individuals," said Rhode Island State Police Col. James Manni said. "While we respect the right to peacefully protest, we have zero tolerance for those who endanger the lives of others by purposefully blocking traffic and will arrest and charge anyone who does so. The safety of everyone on the highway is our highest priority and we are thankful for the reports from the public that helped us to respond quickly."

The drivers moved the vehicles and traffic was moving again by the time state troopers arrived. The U-Haul was spotted on Orms Street and stopped. The driver, 24-year-old Kade Page, of East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, was arrested. Seven other people in the back of the truck were also arrested:

• Devin A. Costa, 24, of Rumford
• Cody B. Boyce, 24, Lincoln
• Evan C. Laferriere, 23, of Attleboro, Massachusetts
• Najeli Rodriguez, 19, of Providence
• Julia A. Unger, 21, of Narragansett, Rhode Island
• An unidentified 15-year-old boy

The adults were charged with disorderly conduct and conspiracy and held overnight at state police headquarters ahead of their arraignment in Providence District Court Tuesday morning. The teenager was released to a guardian and will have to appear in family court.

This is the second time in as many months that protesters blocked I-95 north in Providence. On Sept. 23, a crowd gathered in downtown after the police officers involved in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor were not indicted. The crowd marched up the on-ramp near the Providence Place Mall and briefly obstructed traffic.