Boston

At Least 33 Arrested Amid ‘Free Speech' Rally, Counterprotests

At least 33 people have been arrested in connection to the controversial "Free Speech" rally on the Boston Common, police said Saturday afternoon.

The rally, which happened a week after the deadly Charlottesville, Virginia, protest, ended about an hour after it was slated to begin early Saturday afternoon, leaving Boston police to escort demonstrators supporting it off of the Common.

An estimated 40,000 counterprotesters were mostly peaceful as they marched through downtown while chanting anti-Nazi slogans and waving homemade signs condemning white nationalism.

However, scuffles broke out between some counterprotesters and police wearing riot gear after the "Free Speech" rally ended.

While calling the day an overall success, Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said later Saturday afternoon that most of the arrests for disorderly conduct, but a few were for assault and battery on an officer.

Police also say three ballistic vests were confiscated during the massive event, one of which had a weapon inside of it.

The names of those accused have not yet been released.

Around 3:30 p.m., Boston police were asking lingering protesters to "refrain from throwing urine, bottles and other harmful projectiles" at officers.

Shortly after that, police reported that rocks were being thrown at officers at the intersection of Tremont and West streets.

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