Boston braces for ‘free speech’ rally

Protesters face off with riot police escorting conservative activists following a march in Boston against a planned “free speech” rally.

Riot police escorting conservative activists following a “free speech” rally face off against counter-protesters.

Riot police in Boston escort conservative activists during a “free speech” rally where counter-protesters block the street.

Police tussle with counter-protesters near a “free speech” rally staged by conservative activists in Boston.

Counter-protesters stand against a “free speech” rally in Boston.

Protesters take to the streets in Boston following a planned “free speech” rally by conservative activists.

Protesters and riot police face off in Boston.

A counter-protester, left, confronts a professed supporter of President Trump at a “free speech” rally by conservative activists on Boston Common on Saturday, Aug. 19.

Protesters with opposing views face off at a “free speech” rally organized by conservative activists on Boston Common.

Thousands of protesters march in Boston against a planned “free speech” rally one week after the violent “Unite the Right” rally in Virginia left one woman dead and dozens more injured.

Counter-protesters gather before marching to a planned “free speech” rally in Boston on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.

Thousands prepare to march in Boston against a planned “free speech” rally.

Counter-protesters hold signs before conservative organizers begin a planned “free speech” rally on Saturday, Aug. 19, on Boston Common.

Boston banned participants in a planned “free speech” rally from carrying weapons, sticks or flagpoles, but plenty of people were carrying signs and flags.