Protest Targets Massachusetts State House Access, COVID Restrictions

Protesters opposed to mandates for masks and vaccines made their way inside the Massachusetts State House Wednesday trying to reach Gov. Charlie Baker.

The nine-person group was equipped with bullhorns and whistles, chanting against COVID-related mandates put in place by Gov. Charlie Baker, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and other elected officials.

"It should have been a recommendation, not mandates, not forcing people," argued one protester who did not want to be identified.

The State House is closed to the public, but state police say the protesters pushed through an entry checkpoint staffed by Department of Conservation and Recreation rangers.

"We just walked up and we asked for Charlie Baker," another protester told NBC10 Boston. "And they just let us in."

Most of the protesters remained in the lobby of the State House, but Catherine Vitale says she made it upstairs, just outside the room where Baker was speaking.

"They wouldn't let me in the room," said Vitale. "The state police dragged me out of the building, even though I wasn't breaking the law."

Massachusetts State Police threatened to arrest the protesters on trespassing charges. The department said it used its discretion to allow the group to have its say, then leave without being put in custody.

The same group has been protesting outside Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's Roslindale home almost every morning and disturbing her neighborhood.

"I'm sorry you might have to hear some voices at 7 a.m. for about half an hour," said a protester named Pat. "I'm sorry, but it's for your own human rights."

"I lost my job because of a vaccine mandate," said a protester named Melissa, who says she worked for the Massachusetts Department of Corrections.

State police say they were able to secure the scene inside the State House even though the protesters got inside without being screened.

The State House has been closed for 701 days. Democratic legislative leaders, including Senate President Karen Spilka, have signaled in recent weeks that the building could reopen in some capacity as soon as this month.

"I remain optimistic that we can invite the public back to the State House sometime this month. In order to open safely, and to protect the health of all of our visitors, staff and members, I believe we must establish a vaccine requirement and ask those entering the State House to wear masks during their visit. Those protocols and the reopening timeline remain under discussion," Spilka said in a statement Wednesday.

The protest was ongoing as Baker announced from the State House library on the building's third floor that the statewide mask mandate for schools would end on Feb. 28.

Asked about the State House, Baker said he believed it should be open to the public, but deferred to legislative leaders like Spilka and Speaker Ron Mariano.

"It's their building, it's their call," he said.