1.8 min readBy Published On: August 18th, 2017Categories: News5 Comments on Things to Know: Free Speech Rally

It’s been all over the news and social media.  A Free Speech Rally will take place on Saturday at Boston Commons from 12pm-2pm.  After the violence and tragedy that erupted in Virginia, many residents are concerned it could be a repeat nightmare.  Mayor Marty Walsh and other city officials are working hard to ensure public safety. A press conference will be held Friday at 10am – Mayor Martin J. Walsh will join Governor Baker, Boston Police Commissioner Williams Evans, and Secretary of Public Safety and Security Daniel Bennett in hosting a press conference to address public safety concerns.  With that in mind, here are some things you should know about the rally.

Who will be speaking?
According to Boston Free Speech Facebook post, headline speakers includes Joe Biggs, Kyle Chapman aka “Based Stickman” and founder of the Fraternal Order of Alt-Knights, Shiva Ayyadurai – candidate for Sentate and Samson Racioppi – candidate for Congress.

Will there be counter-protesters?
Most definitely. Police Commissioner Bill Evans is expecting counter-protesters to outnumber the free speech rally participants.  Boston police are planning to use barriers to keep them separated. There is also a zero tolerance for weapons of any kind.  A group has organized on Facebook called Fight Supremacy! Boston Counter-Protest & Resistance Rally.  They are planning a march from the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center to the Boston Common.

Here’s a full list of prohibited items on Boston Common on Saturday:

  • Firearms, knives, weapons, sharp objects, shields, or fireworks
  • Popup tents or canopies
  • Cans, glass containers, pre-mixed beverages, or alcoholic beverages
  • Wagons or pull carts
  • Coolers
  • Drones
  •  Pets (excluding certified service animals)
  • Grills, propane tanks, or open flames
  • Bicycles
  • Flag poles, bats, clubs, sticks (including signs attached to sticks)
  • Any athletic equipment or other item that could be used as a weapon

Other helpful information:

  • Parking in and around the Boston Common will be prohibited. Signs have been posted, “No Stopping Boston Police Special Event” on effected roadways.
  • The Swan boats will be closed
  • The Frog Pond will be closed
  • Tremont Street will be closed down to Charles St. South beginning at 10:30am.  Towing will begin at 6am.

5 Comments

  1. John P. Martin August 18, 2017 at 2:45 pm - Reply

    Can we please stop saying “Free Speech Rally” and call it the “Whiny Guys That Are Mad Because No One In Massachusetts Takes Their Retrograde Ideas Seriously Rally?”

  2. Dave McDonald August 19, 2017 at 4:00 pm - Reply

    Wow I can’t believe southie is this much gone.

    • Typical Millenial August 21, 2017 at 1:47 pm - Reply

      You make it sound like this rally was at Medal of Honor Park (or M Street Park or Permanent Construction Zone That is Supposed to be a Park)

  3. Dave McDonald August 19, 2017 at 4:02 pm - Reply

    That rally had bad people on both sides

    • Typical Millenial August 21, 2017 at 1:49 pm - Reply

      Be careful! If you condemn both sides, you risk losing all of your backers. Let the witch hunt continue.

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