“We’re going to accommodate the protesters if they choose to do so, but we will not let it disrupt the event,” said Evans at a press conference at City Hall. “First Night is a long tradition in the city. I hate to see anything spoil what is usually a great family-fun night in the city of Boston.”

Mayor Martin J. Walsh of Boston and Police Commissioner William B. Evans said Tuesday that the city’s security plan for its First Night celebration includes accommodating potential protests over police killings of unarmed black men in Missouri and New York, but urged demonstrators to respect the children and families that attend the annual New Year’s extravaganza.


In recent weeks, protesters have staged marches, rallies, and die-ins, where demonstrators lie down in the street, in Boston and across the country in response to recent decisions by grand juries in Ferguson, Mo., and New York not to charge white officers in the deaths of two unarmed black men.

Activists in Boston have said they expect scores of people to join a die-in at Copley Square at 5 p.m. Wednesday. A Facebook organizing page for the group “First Night Against Police Violence” showed an itinerary that included plans to march around the activities starting at 3 p.m. and join the parade later. More than 200 people had indicated online that they plan to attend.

“I think it’s important for people to seriously think about the state of our country, and ask themselves how many African-Americans have to die before we start calling it a genocide,” said Martin Henson, 26, of Boston, who helped organize the First Night die-in and has participated in other actions. “These actions that we’re taking are the first of many steps to encourage more dialogue. There will be more dialogue.”

Walsh and Evans said they did not feel any tension with protesters, and Evans noted that he attended a prayer service with protesters and city officials on Monday night.


Both Walsh and Evans said they respect the rights of the protesters, but they did not believe First Night was an appropriate place for demonstrations.

“If you walk down there, it’s all 2-, 3-, 4-year-olds there. I don’t think they should see behavior that they have nothing to do with. They don’t understand what’s going on. They’re still very innocent,” said Evans. “And to disrupt this event on Boylston Street tomorrow night is a disservice not only to the city but also to their character.”

Organizers said the planned First Night action will be peaceful, inclusive, and friendly, and rejected the idea that there could be an inappropriate venue for calls for reform.

“The United States is a country founded on people taking action in order to defend their rights,” said Edmund Schluessel, 35, of Somerville, who has helped organize the protest. “Acts in support of civil rights are always appropriate. It isn’t something that you just do on the weekend, or when it’s convenient.”

Walsh echoed Evans’s remarks, and said that he hopes to have a conversation with the protesters about what they want specifically from the city.

“The protesters can protest all day; it’s people’s right to protest,” said Walsh. “What I’ve said in the past is we have to have a dialogue on, ‘Where do we go from here?’ ”

Organizers said their door is open, but no city officials have contacted them. Henson said he plans to reach out to “as many people as possible to have a more direct dialogue,” but it is important for him to feel that officials hear what he is saying by protesting, even if it is not convenient.


“There are thousands of people who marched in Boston,” Henson said. “Is that not considered dialogue?”

Police will respect First Amendment rights, said Evans, but are prepared to make arrests if it is necessary.

About 1 million people are expected to attend the city’s festivities, which include a parade, ice sculptures, and fireworks. The MBTA will be open until after 2 a.m., and no fares will be taken after 8 p.m., according to officials. Stations will have extra transit officers, and Boston police will be out in full force and highly visible in green vests. Evans said public drinking will not be tolerated.

Amid the partying, some will protest

•Scores of people are expected to join a die-in at Copley Square at 5 p.m. Wednesday, according to protest organizers.

•A Facebook page for the group “First Night Against Police Violence” showed an itinerary that included plans to march around the activities starting at 3 p.m. and join the parade later.

•About 1 million people are expected to attend First Night activities in Boston.

•The MBTA will run until after 2 a.m. No fares will be collected after 8 p.m., according to officials.

Evan Allen can be reached at evan.allen@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @evanmallen.