'Free speech' rally in Boston

Skirmishes, arrests mar mostly peaceful protests to ‘free speech’ rally

There were several scuffles throughout the day, leading to 20 arrests, but the rally and counterprotests did not attract the same level of violence seen in Charlottsville, Va.

Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

Thousands of people participated in demonstrations in Boston today.

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

A counterprotester confronted a rallier, who was being escorted by officers, on Boston Common.

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

A bottle struck a rallier who was being escorted by police.

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

A confederate flag was set ablaze.

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Police scuffled with counterprotesters as they escorted a rallier.

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

A counterprotester fell to the pavement after being struck by a police motorcycle.

Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff

A pair of Trump supporters was taunted by the crowd as they were escorted into the rally.

Nicholas Pfosi for the Boston Globe

A counterprotest march makes its way down Tremont Street.

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

A man with the “Boston Speech Rally” is escorted from Park Square by the Boston Police Department.

Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

Clergy march hand-in-hand down Charles Street.

Nicholas Pfosi for the Boston Globe

An organizer addressed the crowd before marching to Boston Common.

Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

Stefano Cordova draped an American flag across his shoulders.

Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff

Alan Gordon of the Healing Church blew the Shofar on Boston Common.

Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

A protester secured a bandana to hide his face at the Free Speech Rally on Boston Common.

Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

John Waters sat with his sign before the rally.

Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff

Mike Cardinal, Kip Langdon and Charlie Johnson of the Maine Transgender Network watched as people gathered at the Boston Common.

Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff

Protesters gathered at the entrance to the “free speech” rally.

Nicholas Pfosi for The Boston Globe

Counterprotesters marched toward the Boston Common.

Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

A rally attendee on Boston Common.

Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

Susan Reilly held an American flag on Boston Common.

Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

A Boston police officer asked Susan Reilly to move to another location for safety reasons.

Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

An American flag was waved over Boston Common.

Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

Two counterprotesters held a Mexican flag in front of an American flag.

Some of the best signs from today’s Boston Common rallies

Thousands of people flocked to the city Saturday to protest against a “free speech” rally. Here are some of the most interesting signs they carried.

The Big Picture

Scenes from today’s rallies in Boston

Thousands took to the streets and parks of Boston Saturday to make their voices heard.

Live updates

Crowds mostly disperse after ‘free speech’ protest ends early

As crowds of counterprotestors began to dissipate, tensions seemed to ease in some areas around Boston Common Saturday afternoon.

Trump tweets about ‘anti-police agitators in Boston’; commends police, Walsh

Despite the fact that the day was largely peaceful, President Trump tweeted that there were “anti-police agitators” at the Boston events.

Opinion | Sandro Galea

Hate is ruining our nation’s health

The national turmoil we are witnessing is not just a crisis of institutions or politics or a society at a crossroads.

Boston, MA- August 18, 2017: Bryan Mann, a rabbinical school student, applauds comments from Attorney General Maura Healey during the Interfaith Gathering of Unity, Love, and Strength at Temple Israel of Boston in Boston, MA on August 18, 2017. Organized by the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, the gathering offered an opportunity to come together and send a message of unity and diversity in the face of hate. Thousands of protesters are expected to flood downtown Boston Saturday, with a pro-free speech rally on Boston Common likely surrounded by several different counter-actions. (CRAIG F. WALKER/GLOBE STAFF) section: metro reporter: — CRAIG F. WALKER/GLOBE STAFF

‘What unites us is always stronger than what divides us’

More than 1,700 people attended an interfaith service at Temple Israel of Boston Friday to hear messages of unity on the eve of the controversial “Boston Free Speech” rally.

Would you take kids to protest Saturday’s ‘free speech’ rally?

Like a lot of civically-active parents, Doyle has to balance concerns over safety with her sense of duty to raise her children to stand up for what is right.

N.H. authorities identify mysterious serial killer

The man who murdered a woman and three girls in Allenstown, including his own daughter, was Terry Peder Rasmussen, born in Denver in 1943.

Steve Bannon returns to Breitbart after leaving White House post

Bannon said he’ll be “going to war” for President Trump, vowing to intensify the fight he has waged against opponents of his brand of populist conservatism.

Duke University removes statue of Confederate general after vandalism

University president Vincent Price said he consulted with faculty, staff, students and alumni about the decision to remove the statue of Robert E. Lee.

Trump to skip Kennedy Center arts awards

The White House has announced that President Donald Trump and the first lady have decided not to participate in events honoring recipients of this year’s Kennedy Center arts awards.

Chef Barbara Lynch resolves OUI case in Gloucester

The South Boston native said she is now focused on “my health, the growth of my business, and achieving work/life balance.”

6 police officers shot overnight in 3 US cities, one officer dies

One police officer was fatally shot Friday night in Kissimmee, Florida, while checking out a call from residents complaining of suspicious activity on the city’s north side.

American killed in Barcelona attack was on honeymoon

Jared Tucker and his wife, Heidi Nunes-Tucker, were celebrating their honeymoon in Barcelona after saving up for the trip.

Boston, MA - 10/11/1967: Boston Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey, left, stands with Red Sox player Reggie Smith after the Red Sox defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 6 of the World Series at Fenway Park in Boston on Oct. 11, 1967. The Red Sox forced a Game 7 by winning, 8-4. (Frank O'Brien/Globe Staff) --- BGPA Reference: 170322_MJ_041 — Frank O'Brien/Globe Staff/File 1967

NICK CAFARDO | SUNDAY BASEBALL NOTES

‘I never once found any evidence that [Tom] Yawkey was personally racist,’ biographer says

Bill Nowlin spent six years researching and writing the book, which is due out in February.

A sickening thud, in the heart of a magical ‘67 Red Sox season

Tony Conigliaro and the Red Sox were scuffling as July turned to August in that magical season of 1967. Then came the pitch.

Heavy rain leads to flash flooding on Cape Cod

In Wellfleet, which received between 6 and 7 inches of rain, the weather caused a car to fall into a sinkhole as the beach eroded away.

Woman found slain in Weymouth home

The body of the woman, who had a young son, was found about 4 a.m. in her Lake Street home, officials said. Her son was not home at the time of the killing.

City asks for payments; most colleges don’t pay in full

For the fifth year in a row the majority of colleges in Boston did not pay the city the full amount it requested to help cover the cost of municipal services.