A Tufts University student accused of breaking a Boston police officer’s nose at a violent pro-Palestinian protest was ordered held on $10,000 bail Wednesday.
Roder Atwood, 21, of Somerville, pleaded not guilty to assault and battery on a police officer, destruction of property, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and disturbing the peace at his arraignment in Boston Municipal Court.
Tufts student one of 13 arrested
Atwood was one of 13 people arrested at the rally Tuesday evening. The pro-Palestinian protest on the Boston Common started peacefully, but turned violent when police said the demonstrators sat in the middle of the road near the Park Street MBTA station, blocking traffic.
Prosecutor Olivia Izzi said police tried moving the crowd to the sidewalk so emergency vehicles could get to an unrelated drug arrest, but they refused to move and started to fight back. Several demonstrators allegedly surrounded police cruisers and kicked the doors. Other officers reported having their radios and body cameras removed.
Four officers were hurt and taken to the hospital, with injuries ranging from broken bones to a back injury from carrying a suspect. The officer whose nose was broken will also reportedly require reconstructive surgery.
According to Izzi, the group organizing the protest had circulated a flyer that featured a burning police car.
“We are extremely grateful for the work of the Boston Police in keeping the city safe and in supporting the right to peacefully protest,” Mayor Michelle Wu said in a statement Wednesday. “Boston will not tolerate violence and we categorially condemn those who came into our community to attack our police officers.”
CBS Boston 
6 suspects arraigned Wednesday
Despite his attorney’s defense that he has multiple ties to the community and no criminal record, Atwood was ordered to stay away from the Boston Common, if he posts bail. He is due back in court on October 30.
“The allegations are serious and concerning. We are working with Boston police to obtain more information, and we will hold accountable any student who is found to have broken the law or violated university policy or our code of conduct,” said a spokesperson for Tufts University when asked for comment.
The other 12 people arrested Tuesday night are between the ages of 19 and 28, and all are from the Boston area. They’re charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and disturbing the peace.
Five of those suspects were arraigned after Atwood and pleaded not guilty. The judge set their bail at $500 each, despite Izzi not requesting it, and ordered them to stay away from the Boston Common.
WBZ-TV legal analyst said we shouldn’t be surprised the judge chose to impose a bail for the other defendants.
“The purpose of bail is to ensure that the defendant shows up and follows through with the charges and the allegations and the court process,” said Roman. “And there’s several factors that come into play when a judge decides to issue a bail order or not.”
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