Boston Protests Live Updates: Thousands Turn Out For, Against Free Speech Rally Post-Charlottesville
Update: 2:08 p.m. EST — The Free Speech Rally ended at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Boston, according to local police, as the focus turned to counter-protests. At least eight people had been arrested, though it wasn't clear why, CNN reported.
Counter protesters and Trump supporters arguing outside Boston Common. pic.twitter.com/bqoINHdxIi
— Zeninjor Enwemeka (@Zeninjor) August 19, 2017
Harrison and Boylston. People screaming "police state" pic.twitter.com/MnNQaBcmuj
— Evan Allen (@EvanMAllen) August 19, 2017
As the news unfolded, President Donald Trump tweetednot about Boston but about his recently departed strategist Steve Bannon.
"Steve Bannon will be a tough and smart new voice at @BreitbartNews...maybe even better than ever before. Fake News needs the competition!" Trump added.
Update: 12:57 p.m. EST — Activists and organizers with Saturday's Free Speech Rally in Boston reportedly left the downtown park where they were gathered after thousands of counter-protesters flooded the area.
NBC Boston reporter Rob Michaelson tweeted that "the rally cleared out," and the New York Times' Katharine Seelye wrote that police were taking down the free speech-themed flags.
The rally was supposed to go until 2 p.m. local time.
Looks like cops escorting some "Free Speech" speakers from bandstand. Large crowd gathering to greet them as they exit park. pic.twitter.com/mhahWwMZrn
— Steve Annear (@steveannear) August 19, 2017
#bostonfreespeech rally participants walked off staging area. They left. Crowd erupts in applause
— Jan Ransom (@Jan_Ransom) August 19, 2017
Thousands of protesters remain as Free Speech rally clears from Bandstand in Boston #wcvb pic.twitter.com/kkzQtiOKKL
— Karen Anderson (@karenreports) August 19, 2017
Update: 12:47 p.m. EST — Several reporters indicated Saturday on social media that attendees of a Free Speech Rally at Boston Common were inaudible in comparison to the mass of counter-protesters who had also converged in the park. MassLive's Dan Glaun tweeted that the free speech activists were "completely drowned out," while Mic's Jack Smith wrote that the counter-protest was "perhaps the largest anti-racist protest this year."
Video: The sound of @kendricklamar from this truck in Boston is louder than the nazi rally 😎#FightSupremacy #AMJoy https://t.co/qOzhFvGzdA
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) August 19, 2017
According to the Boston Globe, some 500 police officers were also on the scene.
No one inside "Free Speech" rally is chanting. Or if they are, we can't hear them outside
— Tyler Kingkade (@tylerkingkade) August 19, 2017
Update: 12:32 p.m. EST — An estimated 15,000 counter-protesters showed up Saturday at Boston Common to stifle a much-smaller Free Speech Rally scheduled for noon. And among the attendees was Vermin Supreme.
Supreme, who famously wears a boot on his head, has repeatedly run for president and other government positions in recent years. His campaign promises often center around free ponies.
Vermin Supreme is a celeb at Boston Common pic.twitter.com/gtVuTsBqBJ
— Tyler Kingkade (@tylerkingkade) August 19, 2017
Now it's a party: Vermin Supreme has arrived pic.twitter.com/1iBT1xo8lA
— Adam Gaffin (@universalhub) August 19, 2017
Vermin Supreme joins the anti-supremacy crowd. pic.twitter.com/SUJQHUGXlr
— Scott Malone (@MaloneReuters) August 19, 2017
Update: 12:18 p.m. EST — Want to watch as the Free Speech Rally and counter-protests unfold in Boston? See an aerial view here from CBS Boston, coverage on YouTube herefrom Right Side Broadcasting or a live stream below from USA Today.
Update: 12:12 p.m. EST — The Free Speech Rally in Boston was getting underway Saturday with a full slate of speeches. Big names on the lineup included Kyle Chapman, whom MassLive describes as an "alt-right meme and minor internet celebrity;" Joe Biggs, a former reporter for Alex Jones' Infowars; and Shiva Ayyadurai, a Republican Senate candidate.
Reporters on scene said Boston Common was dominated more by counter-protesters than Free Speech Rally attendees.
it's starting #BostonFreeSpeech pic.twitter.com/h4DQFOvkqE
— abdul 🤠🏴 (@Advil) August 19, 2017
Things are getting spicy in Downtown Boston pic.twitter.com/FH84Kvaen3
— Dan Goldstein (@Goldstein_DG) August 19, 2017
MOMENTS AGO: Woman waving American flag hit, dragged by protester at #FreeSpeechRally in #Boston. #BostonCommon pic.twitter.com/7swgamIOjU
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 19, 2017
Original story:
First, Charlottesville, Virginia. Now, Boston.
Activists, counter-protesters and police were converging Saturday morning in Massachusetts' largest city in advance of a planned Free Speech Rally expected to attract thousands of people. Coming just a week after similar demonstrations in Virginia over the removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee ended in three deaths, officials were on high alert.
"We don't want a repeat of what happened in Charlottesville," Boston Police Commissioner William Evans told reporters Friday, according to the Washington Post. "Boston is too united. We have a city that doesn't tolerate hatred and bigotry."
Roads around Boston Common, a public park downtown, were closed Saturday before the rally, which according to its Facebook page was organized by "a coalition of libertarians, progressives, conservatives and independents ... willing to peaceably engage in open dialogue about the threats to, and importance of, free speech and civil liberties." Counter-protesters had already shown up, with some chanting "hey hey, ho ho, white supremacy has got to go" and holding signs condemning the Ku Klux Klan and President Donald Trump, CNN reported.
The event was set to start at noon.
See photos below.
Crowds alighting from T on way to #BostonFreeSpeech pic.twitter.com/YZ67WM0XCw
— Ann Marie Lipinski (@AMLwhere) August 19, 2017
.#BostonFreeSpeech Lot of creative people here pic.twitter.com/8iBRBLeWQh
— Mark Arsenault (@BostonGlobeMark) August 19, 2017
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
