Mayor Walsh asks 'free speech' rally to not come to Boston this weekend

BOSTON — Mayor Marty Walsh said the city will do everything it can to not have the "Boston Free Speech" rally on the Boston Common this Saturday.

"We'd encourage them not to come to Boston this Saturday...the emotion and the wound and the pain is very fresh (from Charlottesville)," said Walsh.

However, the group still hasn't applied for a permit to have a march. According to the city's website, organizers must apply at least 30 days before a "big event" or two weeks before a smaller event.

"We haven't had any contact with them," said Walsh.

A counter peace rally is planned for Saturday around the same time and the city has been working with them.

"I anticipate huge, huge crowds here," said Boston Police Commissioner William Evans.

Evans said their biggest concern is keeping the two groups separate from each other. He said he has utmost confidence in his officers to help keep the peace.

The rally, called "Boston Free Speech," has invited several speakers, some of which identify as members of the alt-right and others as libertarians and supporters of free speech, according to its Facebook page.

Confirmed speakers included: Joe Biggs, Laura Loomer, Gavin McInnes, Augusta Invictus, Cassandra Fairbanks and  Kyle "Based Stickman" Chapman.

According to Twitter, some of the speakers have backed out and one of the organizers, Gavin McInnes told Boston Herald radio that he had canceled the rally. However, the Facebook event has not been updated to reflect that.

The rally plans to reassert the right to free speech, and anyone, including liberals, conservatives and Donald Trump supporters, were invited to attend.

The rally said that they were no way affiliated with the "Unite the Right" rally, which was behind the event in Charlottesville.

"We do not support their views nor are we associated with them in any way," said the Facebook page.

Gov. Charlie Baker said he will do everything possible to keep an event like Charlottesville happening in Massachusetts.

"What happened in Charlottesville, simply put, was an act of terrorism," said Baker.

Walsh echoed the sentiment.

"We will do every single thing in our power to keep hate out of our city," said Walsh.

Cox Media Group