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Trump supporters rally in Boston, and counter-protesters are there, too

Trump supporter James Sorrentino of Everett responded to counterprotesters on Boston Common on Saturday.Josh Reynolds for The Boston Globe

Flag-draped supporters of President Trump’s rallied at Boston Common Saturday afternoon, shouting competing slogans against anti-Trump counterprotesters who followed them waving anti-Nazism signs.

“We’re here to show our support for the military, first responders, our vets, and our pride for America,” said Sue Villemaire, one of the pro-Trump demonstration’s organizers. “We want to unify; we want people to be more tolerant.”

Much of the rhetoric on both sides was filled with cursing, admonitions to “get a job,” and accusations of facism and cowardice. A heavy and calm police presence prevented fights from breaking out, though at several points opposing rally-goers threatened each other, with one pro-Trump supporter lunging from behind a line of police bicycles before a friend pulled him back.

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The pro-Trump march, which started at the Old North Church and ended on the Common, was one of about 40 “Make America Great Again” marches scheduled across the country, according to a website for the efforts. Organizers said they collected donations for veterans before the march. The pro-Trump march drew around 75 people; the anti-Trump crowd numbered about 25.

Counterprotesters said they had come out to show that racist, sexist, and Islamophobic positions taken by Trump and his supporters would not go unchallenged.

“I hope that our elected officials see that we care,” said a woman who gave her name as Jess and declined to share her last name because she said she feared retaliation. Like many of the counterprotesters, she covered her face with a bandana because she said the pro-Trump contingent was aggressive.

The pro-Trump march was not planned with an eye toward the health care debate, but it fell just one day after the GOP’s effort to replace the Affordable Care Act fell apart — a major embarrassment for Trump, House Speaker Paul Ryan, and a party that has spent the last seven years promising to repeal and replace the act.

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But marchers suggested the failed legislation was just a first draft and defended Trump’s image as a dealmaker.

“He’s trying his hardest,” organizer Mark VanGordon said. “He’s coming up against a lot. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. . . . The fight’s not over.”

Tara Patenaude, who attended the march with her son Nicholas, rated her satisfaction with Trump at 9 out of 10, and said anyone who didn’t like him could leave the country. As counterprotesters chanted against building a wall, she shouted that they would be deported.

Both organizers and counterprotesters said they felt their demonstrations had achieved their goals.

Supporters of President Trump’s gathered on Boston Common.Josh Reynolds for The Boston Globe

Evan Allen can be reached at evan.allen@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @evanmallen.