Protestors clash at ‘Men’s March’ anti-abortion rally at Massachusetts capitol

Professional- and anti-abortion rights activists confronted off Saturday throughout a slender divider at a “Males’s March for Life” rally outdoors the state capitol constructing.

“The Males’s March,” the title of each the occasion and the nationwide group calling on males to oppose abortion and march for the trigger, rallied a number of hundred folks Saturday. The march by way of Boston, scheduled to go from 11:30 a.m. to three:30 p.m., landed on the steps of the state home round 2 p.m., with a line-up of audio system prepared.

As the primary speaker took the mic, a trombone started blasting off a melody after melody, from songs from “The Imperial March” to “Montero,” interspersed with simply noise.

“Drown ’em out,” shouted one brightly dressed girl right into a swelling crowd of counter protestors separated from many of the marchers by a police-erected buffer zone of about 10 toes.

Round 2:30 p.m., a big crowd of individuals chanting “antifascista” circled in from the Boston Frequent, which greater than doubled the pro-abortion rights crowd.

The rally known as for a costume code of fits and formal spiritual apparel, starkly contrasting with the blended costume from clown fits to para-military-like garb worn by the counter-protestors.

Whereas one speaker declared abortion a difficulty “males want to face up for” and claimed pregnant persons are being lied to about abortion choices, counter protestors chanted concerning the separation of church and state and in opposition to “extremist Catholics.”

“These folks need to cross legal guidelines that implement Christian beliefs,” mentioned one protestor, who recognized herself as Sadie. “They need to management girls’s our bodies. It’s a must to push again.”

The rally grew predictably extra tense all through the occasion, with a number of members of each side escorted away and separated by police.

Although a number of protestors engaged instantly — typically exchanging insults throughout inches at excessive quantity — no incidents appeared to escalate to bodily confrontations.

Round 3 p.m., an elementary-aged boy may very well be seen on the bottom clutching on the barricade bars and sobbing overtly within the commotion, prompting younger protestors to extra insistently scream at his father.

There have been no arrests made through the occasion, the Boston Police Division confirmed.

The occasion additionally sparked stress between organizers and the Catholic Archdiocese of Massachusetts.

In a press release following the rally, Catholic Motion League Government Director C. J. Doyle mentioned the occasion was a “super success” however known as out the Archdiocese’s lack of assist. Coyle accused the Catholic management within the state of “erecting roadblocks” to participation within the occasion and having pro-abortion political connections.

The Massachusetts Archdiocese has said assist for anti-abortion efforts.