Cambridge, Somerville officials warn of rush hour traffic amid march

Commuters trying to get home Wednesday evening could face traffic jams caused by student protests in the streets of Somerville and Cambridge, according to officials from both cities.

In a tweet Wednesday afternoon, Cambridge police told drivers to “expect significant traffic delays” in the Porter Square area beginning at 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m., because of marches coordinated by Tufts and Harvard university students.

On the city of Somerville’s Facebook page, officials issued a similar message, adding that backups may also occur in Davis Square.

“Tonight Tufts and Harvard students will be participating in a ‘Black Lives Matter’ march that will likely pass through Davis and Porter squares,” officials said. “There may be additional traffic in those areas and, if possible, drivers should seek alternate routes.”

In photos posted to Twitter, students from Harvard could be seen taking over portions of Massachusetts Ave., as they traveled to Porter Square. Prior to their departure, a rally was held at the school’s Science Center Plaza.

Similar protests were held in Boston this week when students from several area schools marched through downtown toward Copley Square.

En route to Mayer Campus Center @TuftsDaily pic.twitter.com/hW3ytzS2UB

— Sarah Zheng 鄭雅儒 (@_szheng) November 18, 2015