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
Rally organizer John Medlar:
He says police wouldn't let in certain people into the cordoned-off area. And that they had planned to keep rallying until 2 p.m.
— WBUR (@WBUR) August 19, 2017
Rally organizer John Medlar:
He says police wouldn't let in certain people into the cordoned-off area. And that they had planned to keep rallying until 2 p.m.
— WBUR (@WBUR) August 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/ReidLamberty/status/898955490155278340
Boston Common has emptied out but the side streets remain filled #wcvb pic.twitter.com/8S0JIN2Ko5
— Karen Anderson (@karenreports) August 19, 2017
Riot police now dispersing on Boylston Street. Forming a barrier to let Free Speech Rally participants leave. #nbcboston pic.twitter.com/Z9tobV2ymL
— Abbey Niezgoda NBC10 Boston (@AbbeyNBCBoston) August 19, 2017