First Amendment Rights Under Attack in Boston

As Operations Director for Super Happy Fun America, I was involved with the planning of the "RISE AGAINST TYRANNY" event, on November 7th at Boston Common. I was, also, witness to a coordinated ambush, by city officials, of SHFA's permitted event in violation of the First Amendment.

SHFA leadership - primarily President John Hugo, along with VP Mark Sahady, and myself - worked closely with Boston City Hall, in planning the “Rise Against Tyranny” - a peaceful rally with live music and expert speakers to protest mandated NO JAB, NO JOB policies.

The protest consisted of various pro-Liberty groups, primarily from New England, otherwise known as the Refounding Fathers Coalition. Also included were healthcare workers and “Boston First Responders United,” an organization of Boston police, fire fighters, emergency medical services, and MA state troopers, who are currently facing job loss for refusing the jab. They came to protest their "Heroes to Zeroes" nullification by government and corporate healthcare and stand for bodily autonomy.

Although permits are not legally necessary for political protests, SHFA, in the spirit of cooperation, complied with the city’s requests and paid for use of the park from 12-4pm. We will never make that mistake again.

The plan included the Parkman Bandstand area, police protection including barricades and escorts, and electricity for our sound system. We rented portable potties at the request of Boston PD, for their police officers’ and our attendees’ comfort.

Boston Police Lt. Gary Eblan devised a plan to separate opposing sides, thus preventing violent ANTIFA thugs from infiltrating the permitted area and attacking peaceful protestors.

As expected, “Green Monster ANTIFA” and Marxist disruptors like "Solidarity Against Hate - Boston" showed up early to harass anti-jab protestors.

Lt. Gary Eblan was also assigned as the public safety coordinator during the rally. He was accompanied by over 100 police officers in riot geer. However, Lt Eblan repeatedly ordered those officers to stand down, as anti-mandate protestors became sitting ducks for violent attackers.

ANTIFA black bloc punched and clubbed vulnerable civilians. They sprayed caustic chemicals into their eyes and threw metal chairs at them. The assaults were sustained and obviously coordinated.

Eventually, Boston PD blocked safe entree to the event, directing protesters march directly through hundreds of angry counter-protestors. As a result, hundreds of SHFA’s protestors opted to safely return to their vehicles and leave.

Numerous others, forced to walkthrough the large ANTIFA mob, were attacked with clubs, sprayed in the face with caustic chemicals, and doused with motor oil. Primary targets for assaults were our friends in CORR (Citizens Organized to Restore Rights), who were assisting with security, as well as SHFA’s own security and staff.

Mark Sahady was targeted and surrounded by the violent mob. While holding him, 3 thugs sprayed caustic chemicals (bear spray + Brake fluid cleaner + an unknown acid) directly into his eyes. Writhing in pain, he managed to get away. SHFA allies immediately dowsed Mr. Sahady’s eyes with water. He was then evacuated for emergency medical treatment. Thanks to Boston EMS, his eyes should recover fully in time.

The takeaway: ANTIFA tried to blind Mark Sahady, simply because they hate his politics. THIS IS TERRORISM!

The rented SHFA van, containing our sound equipment, was also attacked by the violent mob. Driver Ron McCarron was assaulted with bear-spray, as the van was pounded and rocked. A metal chair was thrown on the hood. Other chairs were wedged under the tires. Someone smashed the windshield with a large club.

Fearing for his life, Mr. McCarron inched the vehicle forward to encourage attackers out of the van’s path. Once clear, he drove the van away from the crowd, through a barricade, and stopped it closer to police officers. He thought they would protect him. Instead, he was forced to the ground and arrested. Mr. McCarron was charged with 3 misdemeanors. He pled “not guilty” to all charges at his arraignment the following day.

As promised, the city arranged a circle of metal barricades to safely enclose the bandstand area, large enough to fit hundreds of anti-mandate protestors inside. Unfortunately, Lt. Eblan refused to allow more than SHFA staff and a few speakers inside the perimeter.

We started the event as planned, despite the cacophony of noise from the anti-protest mob directly adjacent to our attendees. Meanwhile, infiltration by ANTIFA into the anti-mandate side continued to cause sporadic skirmishes.

At 1:30pm, about 5-6 speakers in, Lt. Eblan turned the electricity off that was powering our sound system. When asked why, he said, “I’m afraid that’s above my pay grade.” Lt. Eblan’s annual salary of record is in excess of $235,000.

It was shocking and sad to witness the Marxist city politicians, along with the woke Boston PD brass, colluding with the army of ANTIFA thugs, to forcibly shut down 1st Amendment rights in Boston.

On behalf of the Boston PD brass, SHFA extends its apologies to the line officers. It must’ve been very embarrassing and frustrating to be ordered to stand down as you watched innocent folks being assaulted by ANTIFA anarchists.

God Bless America.