Thousands join anti-racism march in Boston
Thousands of anti-racism demonstrators flooded the streets of Boston Saturday, dwarfing a gathering of white nationalists in the city.
A so-called "free speech" rally by far-right groups had been scheduled to run until 14:00, but a half-hour before that police escorted its participants - whose numbers appeared to be in the dozens - to safety past a throng of anti-racism protesters.
Officials estimated turnout came to about 40,000 demonstrators. Authorities said there were a total of 27 arrests, mostly for assault and battery against the police, and disorderly conduct.
While Boston saw no repeat of the violence that erupted last weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia, isolated scuffles between police and protesters prompted Trump to weigh in, with a tweet intoning against the "many anti-police agitators in Boston."
Looks like many anti-police agitators in Boston. Police are looking tough and smart! Thank you.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2017
"We did have people who came here to cause problems, but overall, I thought the men and women of our department and all the other agencies who helped us performed really well," Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said at a press conference.
Saturday's demonstration was held at a time of anguished national debate over racial relations, which was fanned when President Donald Trump defended some participants in last week's white nationalist and neo-Nazi rally in Virginia as "very fine people."
As protesters began departing central Boston without major incident, the president followed up on his first tweet with a more positive tone.
I want to applaud the many protestors in Boston who are speaking out against bigotry and hate. Our country will soon come together as one!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2017