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Image: Protesters gathered in Boston Common.

Photo

Thousands March in Boston in Dueling Protests

More than 40,000 protesters descended on downtown Boston demonstrating against bigotry and racism a week after violence in Charlottesville.

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Image: Protesters gathered ahead of the scheduled 'Free Speech Rally' that was set to take place on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in downtown Boston, Massachusetts.

The protesters gathered ahead of a scheduled, so-called "Free Speech Rally," which had ties to last week's white nationalist Virginia rally, that was set to take place on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in downtown Boston, Massachusetts.

As the Boston Common began to fill, many were concerned that the protests would turn into riots, but by the time the poorly attended rally began, counter-protests far outnumbered the event.

— Mark Peterson / Redux for NBC News
Image: The massive crowd that descended on the Common dwarfed the turnout for the 'Free Speech Rally' schedule for the afternoon.

City officials approved permits for the demonstrations with strict conditions, in order to manage the size of the crowd and avoid violence. 

— Mark Peterson / Redux for NBC News
Image: Police officers check attendees to the demonstrations, as permits for the gatherings were granted with strict conditions including a ban on backpacks, sticks, and other objects that could be used as weapons.

Police officers check attendees to the demonstrations, as permits for the gatherings were granted with strict conditions including a ban on backpacks, sticks, and other objects that could be used as weapons.

— Mark Peterson / Redux for NBC News
Image: Police officers perform security checks of attendees at the entrance of the demonstrations.

Police officers perform security checks of attendees at the entrance of the demonstrations.

— Mark Peterson / Redux for NBC News
Image: Members of an activist group called 'W.I.T.C.H.' organize among thousands of protesters in Boston.

Members of an activist group called 'W.I.T.C.H.' organize among thousands of protesters in Boston.

— Mark Peterson / Redux for NBC News
Image: Demonstrators in Boston Common gather holding signs and chanting \"Whose streets? Our streets!\" and \"No Trump, No KKK, No Fascist USA.\"

Demonstrators in Boston Common gather holding signs and chanting "Whose streets? Our streets!" and "No Trump, No KKK, No Fascist USA."

— Mark Peterson / Redux for NBC News
Image: Police officers stand guard over the Massachusetts State House.

Police officers stand guard over the Massachusetts State House.

— Mark Peterson / Redux for NBC News
Image: A Trump supporter attends the 'Free Speech Rally' in Boston.

A Trump supporter attends the 'Free Speech Rally' in Boston.

— Mark Peterson / Redux for NBC News
Image: Demonstrators and police clash in Boston.

Protesters and police scuffle.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Commissioner William Evans said that “99.9 percent” of those in attendance were there to “fight bigotry and hate,” with no serious injuries, no significant property damage to the city. Everything, he said, went according to plan.

— Mark Peterson / Redux for NBC News
Image: A demonstrator is surrounded by police.

A demonstrator is surrounded by police.

— Mark Peterson / Redux for NBC News
Image: Demonstrators and police clash in Boston.

Protesters and police clash.

— Mark Peterson / Redux for NBC News
Image: Police push back protesters as the 'Free Speech Rally' attendees are ushered out of the area.

Police push back against protesters as the 'Free Speech Rally' attendees are ushered out of the area.

— Mark Peterson / Redux for NBC News
Image: A demonstrator is detained amid scuffles between protesters and police.

A demonstrator is detained. Mayor Walsh said there were only 33 arrests over the course of the day.

— Mark Peterson / Redux for NBC News
Image: A 'Free Speech Rally' attendee is ushered through the crowd of protesters by police.

A 'Free Speech Rally' attendee is ushered through the crowd of protesters by police.

— Mark Peterson / Redux for NBC News
Image: Protesters kiss in the Boston Common.

Protesters kiss in the Boston Common.

— Mark Peterson / Redux for NBC News
Image: A Trump supporter is escorted by Boston police.

A Trump supporter is escorted by Boston police.

— Mark Peterson / Redux for NBC News
Image: Protesters gathered in Boston Common.

Protesters gathered in Boston Common.

— Mark Peterson / Redux for NBC News
Image: Protesters leave their signs along the gate as the demonstrations come to a close.

Protesters leave their signs along the gate as the demonstrations come to a close.

— Mark Peterson / Redux for NBC News
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