Boston Free Speech Rally Fizzles As Thousands Protest; City Cuts Event Short To Avoid Mayhem

(UPDATED — 7:20 p.m.) BOSTON — Thousands upon thousands of counter-protesters ignored Mayor Martin J. Walsh's "avoid the Common" edict, descending upon the Hub's largest public space to shout down what had been dubbed a "free speech rally," exactly one week after a rally of a different sort deteriorated into carnage and mayhem in Virginia.

(UPDATED — 7:20 p.m.) BOSTON — Thousands upon thousands of counter-protesters ignored Mayor Martin J. Walsh's "avoid the Common" edict, descending upon the Hub's largest public space to shout down what had been dubbed a "free speech rally," exactly one week after a rally of a different sort deteriorated into carnage and mayhem in Virginia.…