Tens of thousands of protesters gather for 'Hands Off!' rally in Boston

[sheshe2]

"The federal administration thinks this country belongs to them — and that they're above the law," organizers said. "They're taking everything they can get their hands on — our rights, our health care, our data, our jobs, our services — and daring the world to stop them.

Organizers also quoted Boston Mayor Michelle Wu from her State of the City speech last month, where she said, "No one tells Boston how to take care of our own, not kings, and not presidents who think they are kings" and "God save whoever messes with Boston."

Speakers included Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Lit. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Asian Pacific Islander's Civic Action Network Director Jaya Savita, ACLU Massachusetts Executive Director Carol Rose, AFC-CIO President Chrissy Lynch, AFT-MA President Jessica Tang, Am. Fed. Govt. Employees, Council 215 President Rich Couture, Trans Resistance Co-Founder Chastity Bowick, and Rising Hearts Athlete Advocate Kyle Ariel Bemis. Additionally, the Dropkick Murphys and BVOCAL performed at the event.

"We are the safest major city in the country because we are safe for everyone. Trump's Congress wanted to make an example of Boston. It might've been my voice that was in the microphone that day, but it was all of Boston that gave Congress their answer," Wu said at the rally.

"I think about my immigrant parents. I'm here today standing on the shoulders of my mom and dad and so many who came before. Alongside our elders, this is about our kids. This is about the world we want them to grow up in. I refuse to accept that my kids and all our kids could grow up in a world where threats and intimidation are the tactics that the president uses to get his way. I refuse to accept that they can grow up in a world where diversity and equality are constantly under assault. I refuse to accept that they can grow up in a world where immigrants, like their grandparents, are automatically assumed to be criminals. Hands off Boston!"

https://www.wcvb.com/article/protesters-gather-for-boston-hands-off-rally/64394868

[sheshe2]

1. Video

Link to tweet

[stillcool]

2. and there were a bunch outside of Boston

Framingham, Northampton, Amherst...just in my neck of the woods.

[sheshe2]

4. I was in Boston for the Women's March...

I went to a local one this time. Lots of energized people there...1500 signed up and it looks like they were all there. There were lot's of cars honking and waving as they went by!

Ohhh, and a Tesla drove by and gave us the finger They were loudly booed!

[stillcool]

5. I didn't make it to any today

went to one in Boston in February(?) and then hurt myself shoveling snow. Totally bummed about it....but good on you

[sheshe2]

6. That is okay, stillcool...

you need to take care of yourself first. There will be others, we are not done yet.

[Lovie777]

3. And look at that...............

it's peaceful unlike j6.

[sheshe2]

7. Yup.

[kxs]

8. Boston rally kindest ever - lack of police a plus.

I volunteered to work security for HandsOff Boston today. Huge but very kind and VERY passionate participants. An incredibly smooth protest / I had to move people off a ramp for accessible access and not a peep of resistance. Everyone ultra cooperative.

I also think the significant LACK of police in general and lack of in-your-face policing specifically (unlike previous protests here) made things so very much better for all.

[sheshe2]

9. Thanks for the inside info, kxs.

I am glad it went smoothly.