CBS News Boston

“The MBTA is facing sharp criticism for shutting its stations down during Boston's protests. ‘I just wanted to go to the protest to send a message to all over the world that black lives matter,’ said 19-year-old Carrie Mays.

Carrie and her 16-year-old sister went to Sunday's protest with their Youth Empowerment group. ‘I was very proud of myself in going to this event, but in the end, when it came to getting home, I just knew I had to stick with my sister,’ said Natasha Mays.

‘Right when we started hearing fireworks, we knew it was time to go, and me and my sister immediately said we have to get home, until we found out that the MBTA stations were closed,’ said Carrie. ‘We were trapped.’

The MBTA has repeatedly closed the Downtown Crossing station and others during protest this week. General Manager Steve Poftak said ‘…in the opinion of the Transit Police Incident Commander, outside activity posed a danger to the safe operation of the station and transit activity.’ He also said a disturbance in a station could not only pose a risk for passengers and T employees, but also functions like the signal system.”