Boston ‘free speech’ ralliers quit an hour early after thousands of counter-protesters greet them

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 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.”

Continue to dailykos.com article: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/8/19/1691603/-Boston-free-speech-ralliers-quit-an-hour-early-after-thousands-of-counter-protesters-greet-them