With some estimates of their numbers as high as 20,000, counter-protesters in Boston today peacefully opposed a smaller-than-expected rally proclaimed by its organizers as support for “free speech,” not white supremacy. At most, only a few hundred participants showed up for that. In a few instances, counter-protesters guided ralliers past the crowds of anti-racist, anti-fascist compatriots up to the bandstand on Boston Common in hopes of preventing violence. That didn’t keep the ralliers from being barraged with catcalls and other verbal ridicule. There were no reports of major incidents of violence. CNN reported at least eight arrests. So far, no details on that.
An organizer of the rally said it wasn’t meant to be a white supremacist gathering, but one favoring free speech. But he admitted that Nazis and other white supremacists were attracted to it. It seems likely that others who might have showed up decided they would be better off staying home given the expected turnout of their foes at the rally. One of those foes was interviewed by the Boston Globe:
“I think it’s very important that we stand up to the racists in this country,” said Debbie Larsen, who traveled from Rhode Island and was waiting at the Common to join the counter-protesters. “You can’t sit idly by and watch this. I want to see a big force of unity standing shoulder to shoulder against these people, to let them know they’re the minority, to show most Americans don’t feel the same way that they do.”
[jp massar also has a post on the rally.]
WCVB Channel 5, the ABC affiliate, reported:
One of the planned speakers for the "Free Speech Rally" has said the event "fell apart" and the crowd cheered as police were seen removing flags and other items from the bandstand at Boston Common.
The rally was met with overwhelming opposition as thousands of people gathered on the Common and another 10,000 or more marched to the area from Roxbury.
Several verbal confrontations were observed between counterprotesters and rally attendees as they tried to reach the bandstand. Some of the counterprotesters, who said it was their duty to support free speech, were seen helping the rally attendees through the dense crowd. [...]
"I didn't realize how unplanned of an event it was going to be," said Samson Racioppi, a candidate for Congress who was on the list of speakers publicized by the rally organizers. "I really think it was supposed to be a good event by the organizers but it kinda fell apart."