An Exclusive Interview with Monty Neill, XR Boston Rebel Facing Trial

For additional quotes and information about Monty's trial, read this recent feature in the Daily Free Press.

INTERVIEWER: Hi Monty, thank you so much for joining us today to share your experience!

MONTY: Hi everyone, and thanks for the opportunity to talk about my case. I have been falsely charged with assault in regards to our non-violent, non-destructive State House Sloth Action in April, and I will stand trial soon, likely on December 2. I hope many of you will provide support at the courthouse. You can RSVP and get more information here: https://xrboston.org/action/court-support-dec2/.

INTERVIEWER: You're a familiar face for most folks in XR Boston! Could you tell us about your involvement with the chapter? When did you get involved? How have you participated in the group's activities over the years?

MONTY: I got involved in April of 2019, just a few months after XR Boston began, by going to their very first action. Since then, I have been (allegedly) involved with planning and organizing many of our actions, those involving civil disobedience and those that have not. XR does a lot of detailed, careful planning to make sure our events go off well, we make our point clearly, and people are safe. And I have participated in many of them, doing everything from getting arrested, to leading our peacekeeper teams, to leafletting. I've touched on outreach and media work as well, have trained many of our peacekeepers, and I am active with our Jamaica Plain Affinity Group.

INTERVIEWER: It sounds like you've sacrificed a lot for the climate movement. Can you tell us about your current legal situation and how you got there?

MONTY: Well, I don't view it as sacrifice. Being in XR has helped keep me at least somewhat sane as the capitalist system actively works to murder our planet. Our community, the many people willing to risk arrest and put in many hours of effort, and the mutual support we provide each other, has sustained me in what have been very hard times.

Because I face trial, I cannot talk about a lot of details of my arrest, so we don't tip our hand to the prosecution. But I was part of the team that planned the Sloth Action at the State House on April 27, 2026. We dressed as sloths to point out how very slowly Governor Healey and the Massachusetts legislature were moving to address the climate catastrophe.

Two of us sloths - Josh and Zev - rappelled down from pillars inside the State House. Another group of us entered the General Assembly balcony in order to disrupt the House proceedings. In the House chambers, two of us unfurled a banner, and our speaker began to call out the legislature and Healey. State House police ordered everyone out of the balcony, which we expected. As planned, all but two of us complied and left the room. My fellow rebel Bob and I continued to hold the banner and started to chant, while more State House cops entered the room.

Here is where I cannot go into details, but I can tell you that one State House cop falsely claimed that I "shoved" him. I shoved no one! In any event, the State Police arrived, escorted Bob and me out of the balcony, put me in handcuffs and led me down the the garage of the State House, at which point I was informed I was charged with assault.

To be precise, the charges are: Assault and battery on a person 60 years of old or older (a felony, maximum penalty 3 years in prison); Assault and battery on on a public employee (misdemeanor); Trespass (misdemeanor); and Disorderly Conduct (misdemeanor). Bob was not arrested during that action, and Josh and Zev's cases were resolved. I remain on the hook because of the false charges levied against me.

INTERVIEWER:Thank you for your courage, Monty. How can the XR Boston community support you on this legal journey?

MONTY: We expect a jury trial. It could be rescheduled, but is currently scheduled for Wednesday December 2 at 9 a.m., at Boston Municipal Court, 24 New Chardon St, Boston (Room 15), a few blocks from the North Station T stop. People can RSVP here.

You can support me and XR Boston by attending the trial. You should plan on taking the day off, but attend for as long as you are able. We are asking people to wear blue, dress in something like 'business casual,' but do not wear XR clothing or have visible buttons, and no signs. Your presence of course supports me - materially and emotionally -- and by showing up for XR you affirm our commitment to non-violent civil disobedience as a critical path to stopping and reversing the climate crisis.

INTERVIEWER: It's so great to hear your thoughts! Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

MONTY: We are speaking on Wednesday November 4, the day after the people massively rejected Trump and his fascist gang. Voting to halt fascism does not mean the fascists will go away, and certainly does not mean we can let up our actions. As Healey and the Massachusetts legislature show, often the Democrats are also enablers of climate catastrophe - along with a lot of other horrible stuff. The future is what we the people make it, so we have to keep struggling for a sustainable and just planet. Your active participation in our movement is the best support I can receive.

INTERVIEWER:Thank you Monty, and we'll see you at the Boston Municipal Court on December 2nd!

MONTY: Thank you!

For reference, a felony charge is very rare for a climate activist demonstrating peacefully. If Neill is convicted of a felony, he will be the first person to receive a felony conviction for a climate protest in the history of the Massachusetts Commonwealth.