A so-called “free speech” rally in Boston on Saturday is expected to draw some of the same white supremacist groups that participated in the violent events of Charlottesville last weekend.
The national director of the Ku Klux Klan said that he expected members would attend. A large group of counter-protesters is also expected.
The rally was permitted to begin as early as 10AM at Boston Commons, a public park in the city. About 500 police officers will be on hand and officials are urging calm.
See the latest updates below.
UPDATE 2:12 PM: According to the Washington Post, the “free speech” rally ended before attendees gave any of their planned speeches, leaving the Boston Common pavilion by 1:00 p.m. “A victorious cheer went up among the counter-protesters, as many began to leave,” the Post reported. “Hundreds of others danced in circles and sang, ‘Hey hey, ho ho. White supremacy has got to go.'”
UPDATE 1:58 PM: Buzzfeed reports that “free speech” protestors left Boston Commons before the the full police force even arrived. They were escorted in and out of the park by police.
"Free Speech" rally cleared out pic.twitter.com/m3jRZ6D9Ma
— Tyler Kingkade (@tylerkingkade) August 19, 2017
A police officer told me that right wingers were gone even before the full police force got to Boston Common
— Blake Montgomery (@blakersdozen) August 19, 2017
UPDATE 1:32 PM: At least one Boston restaurant is refusing to serve the small number of self-proclaimed “free speech” activists who descended on the city for today’s protest.
Some restaurants in Boston are refusing to serve Nazis. #fightsupremacy pic.twitter.com/I4OBLisVE3
— Simar (@sahluwal) August 19, 2017
UPDATE 1:12 PM: Reports on the ground indicate that there are thousands of counter-protestors on the streets in Boston now, with more likely to arrive as the afternoon goes on. The counter-protest is potentially “the largest anti-racist protest” of 2017.
The Boston counter-protest is now perhaps the largest anti-racist protest this year. Thousands arrive still — many more expected. pic.twitter.com/7dIPr9XbMo
— Jack Smith IV (@JackSmithIV) August 19, 2017
UPDATE 12:33PM: Skirmishes break out when neo-Nazis and white supremacists walk “through the crowd of protesters to try and incite violence,” a local reporter tweets.
One of the many skirmishes caused when a neo nazi or white supremacist walked through the crowd of protesters to try and incite violence. pic.twitter.com/KqXbmHmmA1
— Brad Rogers WGME (@BradWGME) August 19, 2017
UPDATE 12:13PM: Crowd of rally participants grows, as does the massive group of counter-protesters.
The so called "free speech" demonstration is getting bigger here on Boston Common…(1/2) pic.twitter.com/rzmdwOMFxp
— Aleem Maqbool (@AleemMaqbool) August 19, 2017
…but so too is the anti-racism/anti-Trump protest (2/2) pic.twitter.com/AQ3mFP80tt
— Aleem Maqbool (@AleemMaqbool) August 19, 2017
UPDATE: 11:59AM: Some reports of tense exchanges between protesters and counter-protesters.
This is what Boston Police don't want. Two sides interacting. Tense exchanges. Live on #NBCBoston pic.twitter.com/bPXqwMonUE
— Abbey Niezgoda (@AbbeyNBCBoston) August 19, 2017
Just spoke w man wearing a Trump hat. He says the man escorted out was punched in the face and then police moved in
— Sharman Sacchetti (@SharmanTV) August 19, 2017
One member of the right-wing “media” gives us a view from the inside. Note police are maintaining a lot of space between the rally and the counter-protesters.
We are huddled around in the common waiting to find out if we have police protection or we have to fight our way out. This is America pic.twitter.com/5LqiT1QF1n
— Joe Biggs (@Rambobiggs) August 19, 2017
UPDATE 11:25AM: Thousands of counter-protesters are making their way to to Boston Commons.
Thousands of counter-protesters streaming towards the Boston Common, via Sky25 @boston25 … pic.twitter.com/09aJuLHaEP
— Bill Sheerin (@AssignGuy) August 19, 2017
BPD estimating 15,000 in the crowd marching from Madison Park. Bigger than expected.
— Adrian Walker (@Adrian_Walker) August 19, 2017
Only a handful of right-wing participants have arrived.
About 15 "Boston Free Speech" demonstrators have arrived at th bandstand. They are… outnumbered by counter protesters. pic.twitter.com/5ACQUDDTHG
— Dan Glaun (@dglaun) August 19, 2017
The right-wing contingent is Boston is so small that anyone willing to spout off is mobbed by press. pic.twitter.com/1hDMHRwI9K
— Jack Smith IV (@JackSmithIV) August 19, 2017