Boston 'Free Speech Rally': Counter-Protesters Overwhelm Rally; Few Arrests And Injuries

BOSTON, MA — Aside from a few skirmishes and some arrests, Saturday afternoon's dueling rallies at Boston Common proved to be a fairly peaceful event, with the counter-protesters easily overshadowing the group they came to speak out against. An estimated 40,000 people attended the counter-protest to a planned "Free Speech Rally" at the Boston Common Grandstand headlined by speakers, some of whom had right-leaning extremist views. Boston Police Commissioner Bill Evans praised his officers and the attendees for what was a major-incident free day. As of Saturday night, there were 33 arrests and no major injuries or acts of vandalism.

"I’m real proud of the people, the way they came and stood up against hatred and bigotry. More proud of my officers," Evans said.

At times, finding a person who went to the common felt like a game of "Where's Waldo." Thousands surrounded the near-empty barricaded area for the Free Speech Rally, chanting "Go home Nazis," "Shame! Shame! Shame!" and "Where's your rally?"

"We got people identifying from hate groups showing up. Even if a few of them for us, it's important that the rest of the population showed up and showed that they were outnumbered," said one counter-protester from Boston who declined to give his name.

That proved to be the day's trend. Few people from Boston felt comfortable identifying themselves, but felt that the strong presence was necessary.

Outside, anyone wearing a MAGA hat or anything right-leaning was pointed out, shouted down and forced to leave. If there was a Trump-supporter on the common, the boos, chants, and occasional arrests were the sure-signs that a right leaning supporter was nearby.

Inside the Free Speech Rally was not much to see. A handful of people stood inside the bandstand. There were 14 speakers announced for the two-hour rally, but not much was said, with the Free Speech Rally ending after about 45 minutes. The members were escorted off the common by police and transported by police vans to their hotels. At that exit, anyone who tried to get in was asked by police, "who side are you on?"

"It's interesting that the question of the day is who side are you on," a Cambridge woman noted.

The decision to use the vans was a police decision, Evans said. He denied that police pulled the plug on the rally, saying it was a mutual decision.

"They came in here, they knew 20,000 were approaching (From that Reggie Lewis Center) that was a mutual agreement that they would get into the wagons," Evans said.

Outside the rally, few Trump supporters tried to spew the talking points from the right. They said they were there to support free speech and Charlottesville was also the fault of members of the left who they say acted as agitators.

"I was here to see the speakers. Is there something wrong with that? It doesn't matter what I represent, I'm here to see the speakers. The only people who got free speech today was Antifa, " said a man who claimed he was center-right but worse a shirt that said, "American, **** Yeah. Brewed with liberal tears."

The man, who did not give his name, denied that there was no racism at the event. He was one of many people who took part in the passionate and tense debates in the area.

At the Common's Boylston Street exit, police in regular and riot gear cleared a way for the attendees of the right-wing rally.

"Why are you here? There has been no violence. There is no reason for you to be here. Where were you in Charlottesville?" a voice from the crowd yelled at officers in riot gear.

For the counter-protesters, their feelings towards the officers had an obvious split. Some chanted "cops and Klan go hand-in-hand," and others from the same group urged those taking part in the chant to focus their energy on the people in the grandstand.

Later in the day, a group of heavily armed officers received a cheer from counter-protesters that were accompanied by thanks for their service and encouragement to stay strong. By 3:30 p.m., well after most people had left, Boston police confirmed on Twitter that people were throwing urine, bottles, rocks, and other projectiles at officers. A little after 5 p.m., police used pepper spray on Washington Street in Downtown Crossing during a chaotic scene between officers and counter-protesters. The scene was broken up by 5:45 p.m. but some small groups remained in the area, according to reports.

Evans, however, said most people were well-behaved.

"99.9 percent of people here were here for the right reason and that was to fight hate and bigotry," he said.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said Boston stood for peace and love Saturday, noting the turn out at the march from the Reggie Lewis Center at Roxbury Community College to Boston Common.

"I was at RCC early and you could feel a sense of pride being there," he said.

In two tweets, President Donald Trump said. "Looks like many anti-police agitators in Boston. Police are looking tough and smart! Thank you. Great job by all law enforcement officers and Boston Mayor @marty_walsh."

Walsh replied, "Today, Boston stood for peace and love, not bigotry and hate. We should work to bring people together, not apart."

At the end of the day, many counter-protesters left their signs at the common, a reminder of what they stood against.

Main photo by Jordan Presley @Jordan_Presley via Twitter. All other photos by Dan Libon