Your School. Your Paper. Since 1936.

The Suffolk Journal

Your School. Your Paper. Since 1936.

The Suffolk Journal

Your School. Your Paper. Since 1936.

The Suffolk Journal

Protesters and counter-demonstrators go head to head in Boston Common

Counter-demonstrator+sprays+protester+with+a+chemical+irritant
James Bartlett
Counter-demonstrator sprays protester with a chemical irritant

Right-wing protesters and counter-protesters clashed on the Boston Common on Sunday amid heavy police presence. 

The demonstration was organized by regional group Super Happy Fun America to protest against COVID-19 mask and vaccine mandates.

Protesters and counter-demonstrators had multiple encounters, some of which resulted in violence. Individuals from both sides wrestled with barriers to keep them apart, until Boston Police separated them.

In one encounter, a counter-demonstrator sprayed David Steinhof, a protestor, with a chemical irritant. 

Max Ballou, a sophomore at Suffolk University, attended the event as a counter demonstrator.

“I decided to attend the counter-protest to send the fascists back to where they came from. I do not believe that Boston should give any platform to hate or groups that were involved in the Jan. 6 attack,” said Ballou. 

According to the Boston Globe, two leaders of Super Happy Fun America were arrested and charged in connection to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol.

Ballou encouraged others to engage in political and social activism, especially when it comes to counter-protesting.

“I think it is important to go to counter protests since if we allow fascist leaders to speak in the streets other fascists will think it is acceptable,” said Ballou. “If we are there to stop facism before it spreads, then I think we are doing the right thing.”Two arrests were made at the protest, according to police.

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Shealagh Sullivan, Editor-in-Chief | she/her
Shealagh is a senior majoring in journalism with a minor in international relations from Ashby, Massachusetts. She has previously worked as a co-op for the Boston Globe on the homepage desk and as an intern for GBH News and Boston Public Radio. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, finding a new favorite coffee spot and exploring Boston. She is a huge art lover and wants nothing more than to see the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. After graduation, Shealagh hopes to be a political journalist in Washington D.C. Follow Shealagh on X @ShealaghS.
William Woodring, Senior Editor-at-Large | he/him
Will is a senior majoring in public relations. He is originally from Medway, Massachusetts. In his free time, he enjoys listening to music, writing, reading, and running. He is interested in political journalism and hopes to go into politics after graduating. Follow Will on X @woodringwill
James Bartlett, Multimedia Editor | he/him
James Bartlett is a senior studying print and web journalism. Originally from Lowell, Massachusetts, James has a strong interest in photojournalism and new journalism tools such as podcasting and user-generated content. James is currently a Web Journalist at WHDH Channel 7 and has previously worked at Boston.com and the Newburpoty Daily News. Follow James on Twitter @James_bartlett8 Email him at [email protected]

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Protesters and counter-demonstrators go head to head in Boston Common