Boston No Kings Rally Draws Massive Crowd

Aging "Summer of Love" protesters from the Woodstock generation were joined by some of their generational heroes, such as Jane Fonda (age 88), Joan Baez (85), Bruce Springsteen (76), Bernie Sanders (84), and others, in downtowns and city parks all across the country on Saturday for the latest round of "No Kings" rallies and rantings.

Generations Unite at Massachusetts Protests

To be sure, youthful activists from across the grievance spectrum, ranging from trans rights to anti-ICE and beyond, rubbed elbows with septuagenarians like Massachusetts U.S. Senators Elizabeth "Granny Liz" Warren (76) and Ed Markey, who turns 80 this year, for a rootin', tootin' good time featuring plenty of MAGA maligning and Trump bashing on Boston Common.

All's fair in love, war, and politics. Have at it.

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Crowd Estimates and Event Organizers

NBC 10 Boston reported, "Organizers of the event on Boston Common estimate over 150,000 people attended, though that number has not been verified by law enforcement."

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The Boston event was organized by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Massachusetts chapter, Indivisible Mass Coalition, and Mass 50501, and featured remarks by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey.

I suspect that Healey was not the drawing card, nor was Warren, Markey, or even the Bay State's new favorite immigrant, Milford High School student Marcelo Gomes da Silva, referenced in Milford Police reports involving "sexual assaults and juveniles."

I certainly doubt that anti-audit Attorney General Andrea Campbell was a draw.

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Did Music Help Drive Attendance?

I suspect it was Dropkick Murphys, the Irish-American punk band formed in Quincy 30 years ago, known for their close ties to the Boston sports teams, responsible for drawing a crowd to Boston Common. The "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" singers performed a free show for all to enjoy.

No Dropkicks, no crowd. After all, people have things to do on a Saturday in the city.