Thousands Take to Streets in Boston Protest Against Hate Speech, Multiple Arrests Made

Boston police arrested 27 people in protests surrounding a “Free Speech” rally, Police Commissioner William Evans told reporters on Saturday.

Most of the arrests were for disorderly conduct, with some for assault and battery during scuffles between police and protesters, Evans said.

The rally never numbered more than a few dozen people, and its speakers could not be heard due to the shouts of those protesting it and the wide security cordon between the two sides. It wrapped up about an hour earlier than planned.

Protesters also threw rocks and bottles of urine at police dressed in riot gear.

A Reuters photographer saw police taking multiple protesters into custody.

RISING TENSIONS

U.S. tensions over hate speech have ratcheted up sharply after the Charlottesville clashes during the latest in a series of open white supremacist marches.

A growing number of U.S. political leaders have called for the removal of statues honoring the Confederacy, with civil rights activists charging that they promote racism. Advocates of the statues contend they are a reminder of their heritage.

Duke University removed a statue of Lee from the entrance of a chapel on its Durham, North Carolina campus, officials said Saturday.

CRISIS FOR TRUMP

A Lee statue in Dallas was vandalized overnight, Mayor Mike Rawlings said.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh briefly joined the crowd of thousands assembling for the march.

Karla Venegas, a 22-year-old who recently moved to Boston from California, said she was not surprised that the Free Speech rally petered out so quickly.