Most of the 18 Black Lives Matter protesters behind a highway blockade that tied up rush-hour traffic on I-93 last winter have skirted jail time and will only have to do community service, thanks to a plea deal struck by the Middlesex DA that one lawmaker says sets a “terrible, terrible example.”

All told, 14 protesters who formed a human chain using PVC pipe, ropes and chains that blocked all four southbound lanes had disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and conspiracy charges broomed in exchange for admitting to a single charge of trespassing that carries just 60 hours of community service.

Another simultaneous protest on Interstate 93 north in Milton, where activists chained themselves to 1,200-pound concrete-filled barrels, caused much longer traffic tie-ups and delayed two ambulances. Those 11 protesters are still facing charges in Quincy District Court, including trespassing, resisting arrest, willfully obstructing an emergency vehicle and conspiracy.

“I think it’s absolutely, completely outrageous. They put people’s lives in danger, the inconvenience was secondary to that,” said state Rep. Colleen Garry (D-Dracut), who is leading the charge to hike penalties for protesters who demonstrate on Bay State ?highways.

“The expense that they caused that day, based on minimum wage, they should each have to do 1,500 hours of community service,” Garry said. “I think that this sets a terrible, terrible example.”

Prosecutors had originally recommended that the protestors serve 45 days behind bars on the trespassing charge. The protesters said they staged the blockade to call attention to racial injustice in the wake of police killings of unarmed black men in Ferguson, Mo., and New York.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, asked about the wrist-slap deal, responded in a statement, “While we respect the rights of all citizens to protest and engage in the freedom of expression, the actions of these defendants compromised public safety.”

Meanwhile, Somerville District Court Judge Maurice Flynn’s Thursday ruling is being applauded by Black Lives Matter Boston leader Daunasia Yancey, who wasn’t involved in the Jan. 15 protest but supported those arrested.

“We’re definitely glad that they won’t be getting any jail time,” Yancey told the Herald. “We’re hoping that they will be able to complete their community service with organizations that align with the Black Lives Matter movement so they can continue to serve the cause that they’re so committed to.”

Garry found that suggestion outrageous.

“I suggest that their community service be picking up trash on the side of the highway or shoveling for the cancer and dialysis patients that they prohibited from getting to their treatment that day,” she said. “If you put people’s lives in danger you need to be held accountable.”

Garry said her pending bill is also aimed at preventing potential multivehicle pile-ups or injuries to activists that she said “very well could have happened” during the protest.

“There was a real risk of a domino effect resulting in many injuries that day, which we are very lucky didn’t happen,” Garry said.

“It needs to be taken very, very seriously. It’s not about what they were protesting — they could’ve been out there holding signs for me, I don’t care. It’s just not the right time, manner or place.”