U.S. marshals patrol site of Democratic National Convention as pickets protest

Friday, June 11th 2004, 9:26 am

By: News On 6

BOSTON (AP) _ Five federal marshals patrolled the site of the Democratic National Convention on Friday to observe whether picketing police officers were following a judge's order not to impede efforts to convert the sports arena into a staging ground for John Kerry's nomination.

U.S. District Court Judge Joseph L. Tauro warned pickets led by the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association to stop blocking people or vehicles from entering the job site. On Friday, pickets appeared to be obeying Tauro's order.

Work at the FleetCenter was supposed to start Tuesday, but the police union and its allies surrounded workers and trucks that have tried to enter the site, shouting at them to ``go home'' and physically standing in their way. Most turned away. The union denied that its actions constituted unlawful intimidation, and Tauro said he would not tolerate it.

Although the picket line had dwindled in numbers and receded to the edges of the entrances, Thomas J. Nee, president of the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association, said picketing will continue.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino has been under increasing pressure to reach an agreement with the police union. Boston police have been working without a contract for about two years.

The $14 million project will prepare the arena for the convention July 26-29. A tour for news media scheduled for Tuesday has been postponed until June 29.