Thousands of people are expected to protest against a “free speech” rally in Boston on Saturday, August 19, a week after protests turned deadly in Charlottesville, Virginia. Rally organizer John Medlar says the Boston Free Speech group is not associated with any of the groups that were in Charlottesville last week. According to the Boston Herald, members from the local Ku Klux Klan plan to attend, but Medlar insists the rally is about free speech, not white supremacy.
We will not tolerate violence or property damage of any kind. If you'll be at the Common today, read our advisory: https://t.co/wFiZX0YA9R
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) August 19, 2017
Latest updates
Our reporter counts about 50 people at Boston Common's Parkman Bandstand. Updates: https://t.co/kG80rHd2Za #BostonFreeSpeechRally pic.twitter.com/F0COhNwOTl
— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) August 19, 2017
Journalists not permitted inside barricades around Parkman Bandstand. @WBUR pic.twitter.com/MS7xTYPua6
— Bruce Gellerman (@AudioBruce) August 19, 2017
Participants at the free speech rally are a bit outnumbered. pic.twitter.com/v0fTPtV7kr
— Rob Michaelson (@BadBoyofNBC) August 19, 2017
NOW: @Tim_Caputo reporting there are about 50-60 #FreeSpeech Rally goers on #BostonCommon. Estimated 15K+ counter protesters #7News #Boston
— Justin Dougherty (@DoughertyJC) August 19, 2017
Counter demonstrators clearly outnumber those at the #BostonFreeSpeechRally. #bostonprotest pic.twitter.com/oJRm56DESb
— Jack Lepiarz (@Lepiarz) August 19, 2017
Counter demonstrators clearly outnumber those at the #BostonFreeSpeechRally. #bostonprotest pic.twitter.com/oJRm56DESb
— Jack Lepiarz (@Lepiarz) August 19, 2017