Four protester are facing criminal charges after two chained and cemented themselves to the Dartmouth House of Corrections’ gates and two mounted themselves on 20-foot tall tripods during an August 20 protest -- creating a complex scenario for first responders.

The protest, organized by the Rhode Island-based FANG Collective with the intent on “shutting down” the jail, began at 3:15 p.m. when two protesters erected two 24-foot tripods at the main entrance to the facility. Two protesters then climbed to the top and remained there until they were removed by sheriff's officers, according to the press release from the group.

Two other protesters used bike locks to secure themselves to a gate at the jail’s maintenance entrance, and cemented their hands into place.

Dartmouth Fire District No. 3 crews had to be called to the scene to free the protesters.

"We were summoned originally to cut a chain," Chief Richard Arruda said. "By the time we got there, there were other things they needed to be freed from."

Chief Arruda said that his crews used their extrication training, more often utilized to free people from vehicles or machinery, to remove the protesters' arms from pipes submerged in concrete.

The crews used an air chisel gun to very carefully remove the protesters -- a process that took at least an hour. They also used a heavy cutter to cut through a bike lock one protester had placed around his neck and a gate to the jail.

The four protesters who blocked the entrances to the jail were arrested on charges of trespass, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and disturbing the peace.

All four of the protesters who were arraigned pled not guilty and were released on personal recognizance.

“We did the action in solidarity with folks who are impacted and locked up,” said FANG Collective member August Guang outside New Bedford District Court. “We could see in court people were appreciative, and we got the message out. I think it was a success.”

Guang said all four people arrested had cuts and bruises and accused the department of being too aggressive.

Coincidentally, at the time of the protest, Sheriff Hodgson was in Washington D.C., at an event honoring law enforcement officers from ICE and Customs and Border Protection.

According to Jonathan Darling, the spokesperson for the Bristol County Sheriff's office, none of the protesters appeared to be injured, although they would be checked out by medical personnel upon their arrival at the Ash Street Jail.

"That unlawful behavior of the protestors will not be tolerated," Darling said. "If you come into Bristol County and break the law, you're gonna get locked up."

The FANG Collective describes itself on its Facebook page as "Building, supporting and escalating nonviolent resistance to the natural gas industry while supporting other movements for justice."