Boston "Free Speech" Rally

Thankfully, things stayed remarkably calm in Boston today, despite fears that opposing groups of protesters gathering on Boston Common might spark violence similar to the recent tragic events in Charlottesville.  It didn't look like anywhere near the huge numbers of people expected actually showed up, and although I didn't venture out of my apartment, from what I could see from our windows, the Common was relatively empty even during the speeches.

Shortly after the rally ended, there was some sort of incident on Essex Street, near the corner of Washington Street.  We heard a lot of sirens, and when we looked out our kitchen window, we could see a really impressive police response to whatever it was that was happening (out of our view, further down Essex.)  Within seconds, the police cordoned off Washington Street, with a phalanx of bicycle police blocking one side of the road, and a battalion of cops in riot gear on the other side.  Paddy wagons rolled through, accompanied by police motorcycles.  It was like watching a choreographed dance -- their response was so swift and professional. 

From what I have managed to glean from the internet, there were a few arrests, but all in all it seems to have ended relatively without incident.  Thank heavens for that.

Extras:  Boston's Finest bicycle squads after a long day.  The guy waving told me to get Mr. W to take a picture with him and me together -- that it would "make his day" -- how sweet is that!  The other is a sign stuck to a lamp post on Tremont Street.  I'm sorry ... I have no sympathy for white supremisists, bigots, hate-fomenters, racists, and the like, but what good does it do to spew hatred and divisiveness back at them?  Shouldn't we be setting a better example than this?