The upcoming “Free Speech Rally” on Boston Common has emboldened people throughout the state to respond with action.
Boston Free Speech, which is planning the rally, claims to be separate from the group that organized Saturday’s protest in Charlottesville, Va., where a supposed Nazi-idolizer allegedly rammed a car into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing a 32-year-old woman.
Several groups around Massachusetts have already organized to demonstrate against hate and violence on the part of white nationalist groups. Here’s where you can find counter-protests in the Boston area this weekend:
Fight Supremacy! Boston Counter-Protest & Resistance Rally:
When: Saturday, Aug. 19, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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Where: March from Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center, 1350 Tremont Street, Boston. to Boston Common, 139 Tremont Street, Boston.
Who: Violence In Boston, Angie Camacho, Black Lives Matter Network, Black Lives Matter Cambridge, and Black Lives Matter Boston
What: This 2-mile march will culminate at Boston Common, the site of the Free Speech Rally on Saturday. As of Monday afternoon, over 4,500 people said they were attending this counter-protest on Facebook, with another 14,000 interested. The Facebook event description says “white nationalists are emboldened in the current political administration and growing police state.” In a Q&A section, organizers answer, “What’s the point? You can’t talk sense into a Nazi,” by saying it’s a way to “send a message to white supremacists that their hateful rhetoric, physical violence, and fear mongering will not go uncontested. It’s also a show of solidarity and an opportunity for allies to “show up” and “wield their privilege.”
When: Saturday, Aug. 19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston.
Who: Coalition to Organize and Mobilize Boston Against Trump and Answer Coalition Boston
What: Protesters will demonstrate outside of the State House “in solidarity against hate.” On Facebook, 1,700 people have said they plan to attend as of Monday afternoon, with another 6,000 interested. Organizations throughout Boston have endorsed the event, like Boston Democratic Socialists of America and Massachusetts Interfaith Worker Justice, according to the Facebook event. The description says, “Why do we need solidarity? Because we must remain united in struggle and bring the left together to fight against hate and the rise of white nationalism.”
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Lauren Feiner can be reached at lauren.feiner@globe.com. Follow her @lauren_feiner.