Protestors may hit BIO confab

BYLINE: Mark Hollmer

Thousands of downtown workers and businesses could face major disruptions if throngs of protesters follow through on threats to target May's Biotechnology Industry Organization international convention in Boston.

The Internet-spread threats have prompted organizers of the event, which is expected to draw 20,000 participants from across the globe, to develop detailed plans to address any potential mayhem such as extra police and potential street closings.

Much of the potential protests are from globally based groups or more mainstream activists who oppose "biodefense" research and drug development based on profit. They support organic foods and natural, rather than synthetic medical treatments. One event -- BioJustice 2007, a week-long series of protests detailed on biodev.org -- promotes all of these agenda items and is billed as a coalition of business executives, lawyers, public relations people and scientists.

"We've seen (Web) chatter that could indicate a significant (protest) presence. But whether it's several hundred or in the 5,000 to 10,000 range, it's really difficult to tell," said Jeff Joseph, vice president of communications for the national biotechnology industry group BIO, which is bringing the conference to the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

Protests at the annual BIO conference aren't unusual, but most have drawn several dozen or fewer in years past.

But for several reasons, BIO representatives -- as well as state and local officials -- are preparing for the worst, with the expectation that the May 6-8 event in Boston may be particularly vulnerable to protests for the same reason it is a big biotechnology draw: The region's large concentration of universities and life sciences companies.

"The things that make it an ideal location for our event also make it more attractive for protesters, and so it requires additional investment," said Joseph.

At the same time, Joseph added that security plans will be designed to allow protesters to "practice their First Amendment rights while ensuring a safe and secure environment for all our guests and exhibitors."

Dot Joyce, a spokeswoman for Mayor Thomas Menino, said the city is working with local and state police as well as BIO and even the FBI to develop security plans to address traditional crowd concerns as well as potential protests.

The same task is under way with the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, which managers the BCEC.

Kevin Maguire, the authority's chief of public safety, said there's no certainty that large protests will take place but organizers aren't taking any chances.

Among plans in the works: To allow only special, "placquered" motor vehicles into the series of perimeter roads around the BCEC. Police are also developing plans to handle three ranges of protests: Up to 100 people, between 600 and 800 and anything over 2,000, Maguire said.

Last year's conference in Chicago only drew a small number of protests and past years have ranged from a few hundred to far fewer -- even when BIO last came to Boston in 2000 and there was a street protest march, said Stephen Mulloney, director of policy and public affairs at the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, which is helping BIO to plan the event.

Still, BIO paid the security costs for last year's Chicago event that included 450 city police officers, 250 Illinois state police and 80 security offices inside the McCormick Center, where the convention was held, according to Maguire.

Some landlords are concerned.

Taurus Management Services LLC, which manages 160 Federal Street (home of the Boston Business Journal and other companies) and other local properties near the BCEC, sent out an urgent memo to tenants this week warning that protests, as well as the BIO convention and its peripheral events, could disrupt traffic, and that workers should plan accordingly.

"The BCEC will likely be the focal point of substantial protest activity. ... Several of the groups involved have a history of civil disobedience that should not be overlooked," the memo reads.

The Taurus memo also gives links to four Web sites that are publicly broadcasting protest plans. Beyond biodev.org, rtc.revolt.org/node/12 is promoting a "Reclaim the Commons 2007" event for the Boston Common from May 6-9 with a related agenda including opposition to the genetic engineering of food.

Another related Web site, bostonmobilization.org , is based in Cambridge. A person answering the phone gave the names of "Andrew" and "Aaron" as two local organizers of BIO protests and gave their phone number. But the pair did not return a phone call seeking comment.