No Jail Time For Protesters That Blocked Off I-93 In Medford

Fourteen members of a Black Lives Matter protest that blocked off part of Interstate 93 in Massachusetts in January will not face jail time.

The group, labeled the "Somerville 18," chained themselves to concrete-filled barrels strewn along the northbound lanes of I-93 in Medford during the morning commute of Jan. 15.

On Thursday, 14 protesters entered into a plea deal in Somerville District Court that saw them plead guilty to single counts of trespassing in exchange for dismissing charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and conspiracy.

Judge Maurice Flynn ordered the protesters to perform 60 hours of community service as part of their sentencing.

Protester Mallory Kaczmarek told WGBH-TV she felt relieved, but "heavy in my heart" that others were unable to resolve their cases "in such a just way."