BOSTON — A free speech rally planned for Boston Common since last month is set to take place on Saturday, August 19. Two protests have also been planned to take place denouncing recent violence that took place at a rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Live updates will be posted below with the newest information at the top.
10 p.m. -- Superintendent -in-Chief William Gross had several moments today to speak with community members about the importance of peaceful protest. He called the outcome of Saturday's events a victory and said that's something everyone should be proud of.
4:30 p.m. - BPD Commissioner Evans says an estimated 40,000 people attended the rallies on the common. There were 27 arrests made, and Evans said those people were generally in attendance to cause problems and not on either side.
"What we got I expected to tell you the truth."
— Evan White (@EvanWhiteIII) August 19, 2017
-Evans
Boston 25 News Live StreamBPD Comissioner Evans, Mayor Walsh speak after day of protests on Boston Common.
Posted by Boston 25 News on Saturday, August 19, 2017
3:30 p.m. - President Trump sent out several tweets about the way the situation was handled at Boston Common saying "Police are looking tough and smart!"
Looks like many anti-police agitators in Boston. Police are looking tough and smart! Thank you.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2017
Great job by all law enforcement officers and Boston Mayor @Marty_Walsh.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2017
3 p.m. - Several hundred protesters remain around the common in small groups. Streets around the common have been reopened.
#UPDATE: Streets around the Common are now open.
— Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) August 19, 2017
Boston Police Commissioner William Evans is set to speak at 4:30 p.m. to provide a full update.
2 p.m. - Several people were arrested as police removed crowds from the common and off of roads in the area. An exact number has not been released yet, but video shown live on Boston 25 News indicates at least six people were taken into custody.
1:30 p.m. - "Free Speech Rally" ends. Demonstrators have left the Common.
#UPDATE: "Free Speech" rally is officially over. Demonstrators have left the Common.
— Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) August 19, 2017
12 p.m. - "Free Speech Rally" begins on Boston Common.
11:20 a.m. - Chopper goes up over rally, protests. Watch video below for more:
Boston 25 Live StreamLive look at Boston Common where crowds are gathering for rally, protests.
Posted by Boston 25 News on Saturday, August 19, 2017
11 a.m. - "Stand for Solidarity" counter-protest begins at Mass. State House.
Crowd swells for 11 AM counter protest beginning at State House. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/IlK3reIR4W
— Jim Morelli (@MorelliJim) August 19, 2017
State Police guard Mass State House as Stand For Solidarity protesters gather for counter rally. Stay with @boston25 for live coverage pic.twitter.com/JfQPXalWi2
— Jim Morelli (@MorelliJim) August 19, 2017
10:30 a.m. - Road closures have gone into effect.
State Police guard Mass State House as Stand For Solidarity protesters gather for counter rally. Stay with @boston25 for live coverage pic.twitter.com/JfQPXalWi2
— Jim Morelli (@MorelliJim) August 19, 2017
Groups gathering on Common ahead of rally. Sea of bright yellow are #Boston police @boston25 pic.twitter.com/xhF20RT9Uw
— Crystal Haynes (@crystalhaynes) August 19, 2017
10 a.m. - "Fight Supremacy" group starts march from the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury to the Boston Common.
Images from #Roxbury rally pic.twitter.com/MwaV52E7Bi
— Evan White (@EvanWhiteIII) August 19, 2017
9:30 a.m. - MBTA announces Boylston and Park Street Stations will close at noon due to 'public safety reasons.'
#MBTA #RedLine & #GreenLine: For public safety reasons, Boylston & Park Street Stations will close today at ~12pm: https://t.co/FBXORFdMPP
— MBTA (@MBTA) August 19, 2017
Saturday morning
Concrete barriers put at the entrance to the Boston Common. Temporary cameras have been put up on the Parkman Bandstand.
Concrete barriers block the entrance to the Common ahead of the rally and protests today. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/QsQGWdTvAI
— Kelly Sullivan (@ksullivannews) August 19, 2017
@bostonpolice getting ready for road closures around the Common that go into effect at 10:30. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/lvnttwLYOF
— Kelly Sullivan (@ksullivannews) August 19, 2017
Friday night
Cameras and other security measures are in place at and around Boston Common. Street closures are expected to begin tomorrow morning around 10:30 a.m.
Friday afternoon
Boston police and city officials began construction of barriers designed to keep the different rallies separated. In a news conference, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh asked everyone to help promote peace and stay safe Saturday amid the planned rallies. He advised people who aren't planning to attend to avoid the area around the common.
“They have the right to gather, no matter how repugnant their views are. But they don’t have the right to create unsafe conditions,” he said. “They must respect our city.”
@marty_walsh: "if anything gets out of hand we will shut it down."
— Robert Goulston (@rgoulston) August 18, 2017
RELATED:
Here are the groups planning rallies in Boston Saturday
Cox Media Group