Pictures: 'Black Lives Matter' Protesters Shut Down Busy Boston-Area Highway During Thursday Morning Rush Hour

Protesters in Boston caused a morning rush hour headache for commuters Thursday as "Black Lives Matter" protesters shut down part of a busy Boston-area highway.

During the demonstrations, the protesters stated their opposition to "police and state violence against black people" and "to confront white complacency in the systemic oppression of black people in Boston."

The Massachusetts State Police first tweeted about the delays at around 7:45 Thursday morning.

#MAtraffic working to remove protesters from two separate locations on I93. Traffic severely delayed NB@ E Milton Sq & SB @ Mystic Ave

— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) January 15, 2015

State Police later posted an update, saying that at least some of the demonstrators had cemented their arms inside 1,200-pound white barrels.

MA#traffic the I 93 protesters have attached themselves to 1200 lb barrels. Officials working to clear roadways. Avoid area seek all route

— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) January 15, 2015

At just before 8:10 Thursday morning, State Police notified motorists that they had cleared at least part of the highway of protesters and that all lanes were reopened in that area.

#MAtraffic Protesters have been removed from I93SB @ Mystic Valley Parkway All lanes open.

— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) January 15, 2015

State Police spokeswoman Nicole Morrell said no one was injured during the protests but 17 of them were arrested. Police later arrested six more people, the Boston Globe reported.

But it wasn't long before State Police were removing more protesters from another part of the highway.

#MAtraffic I93 SB protest scene in #milton only one Lane open as removal of protesters continues. Seek Alt Route

— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) January 15, 2015

Below are some tweets with photos of the protesters clashing with police:

Protesters linking arms on I-93 in Medford earlier https://t.co/2xU5OBlCUT pic.twitter.com/vvpfWxXnDH

— WBZ Boston News (@cbsboston) January 15, 2015

Updating: Black Lives Matter protesters have shut down traffic in & out of Boston on I-93 https://t.co/1qx67PEnVW pic.twitter.com/1n8VOdsBlo

— BostInno City (@BostInnoCity) January 15, 2015

6 protesters are sitting on I-93 North & have CEMENTED their hands inside barrels of concrete!!Truly moronic. #Boston pic.twitter.com/h8tqFEARtt

— Jared (@JaredMay76) January 15, 2015

#BlackLivesMatter I-93 Boston protests (North AND South of the city) @deray pic.twitter.com/ozGoGfOAlS

— NikLuk (@Nikluk) January 15, 2015

[NOW] #boston #BlackLivesMatter protesters, attached to 1200 lb barrels on I-93 N/B #QuincyMA to shut down highway pic.twitter.com/1JaGjvmcM3

— STACO COMMUNICATIONS (@stacos) January 15, 2015

The scene on 93 north #Boston pic.twitter.com/gpRQvkbkLg

— Scott Eisen (@scotteisenphoto) January 15, 2015

The demonstrations stem from heightened racial tensions across the country which began not long after 18-year-old Michael Brown, who was unarmed, was shot and killed by a Ferguson, Missouri police officer. A local grand jury later chose not to indict the officer on any charges.

In New York City, Eric Garner, who was black and unarmed, died after police placed him in a chokehold for selling cigarettes on the street. No officers were indicted.

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