By Dakota Antelman — [email protected]
Protesters might try to make their voices heard at upcoming Concord250 events. Police are primarily worried about who might try to drown them out — or worse.
“The protesters aren’t really what we’re concerned about,” police Capt. Brian Goldman said at a recent meeting with business leaders.
Protesters will generally request permits, allowing police to prepare. But Goldman said it’s “the other half that decides to come in and wants to challenge them” that could pose a bigger problem.
While they’re watching for counterprotests, public safety organizer Fred Ryan said officials haven’t seen any “red flags” and are ready to handle whatever Patriots Day brings.
Historical precedent
Local events around the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution on April 19 are already underway. Officials are bracing for potentially well over 100,000 visitors.
Protesters gathered in large numbers — and booed President Gerald Ford — during his 200th anniversary visit in 1975.
A half-century later, Goldman said police are trying to strike a balance between overt security and more subtle measures.
While some officers roam the streets, many will stay out of sight. State and federal authorities are helping monitor online chatter. Goldman said road closures will let law enforcement keep an eye on people entering the area.
He said police have learned from prior events, including in 2018, when the far-right Proud Boys organization held a rally here during Patriots Day programming.
Goldman conceded that “nothing’s ever going to be perfect.” But he said officials feel confident about their plans this year.
Police chief Thomas Mulcahy gave a similar message to the Select Board on March 24.
If protesters or counterprotesters disrupt the parade, Mulcahy said, officers and volunteer ambassadors will call for help. Police would rush resources to the scene.
Ryan took the microphone during an April 1 community forum and said organizers have worked with legal counsel to establish a “First Amendment zone” for protesters within Minute Man National Historical Park. Law enforcement has undergone training around First Amendment protections, and Ryan said officials “expect to be able to ensure everybody’s constitutional rights.”
Permit pending
Former National Park Service ranger Eric Bright said he had a permit pending with the NPS to hold an April 19 rally opposing President Donald Trump. The demonstration would also show support for federal workers and public lands after widespread cuts.
In his permit request, Bright said he estimated his gathering at Minute Man could draw anywhere from 350 to 3,500 people.
Based on conversations with the NPS, he said he expects protest areas to have barricades around them and a park ranger posted nearby.
Bright told The Bridge he wants to learn more about the potential threat from groups like the Proud Boys.
Though they were the protesters in Concord in 2018, the Proud Boys have shown up as counterprotesters elsewhere. Clashes have sometimes turned violent.
He said he’s worried, but Bright also said “deep blue” Massachusetts “is hostile territory” for Proud Boys members.
Bright said he expects participants in his protest will hold signs and wave to passersby from their designated area. If Trump accepts Concord250 organizers’ invitation to attend events, Bright said, “there’s going to be a different instruction.”
“I’m not going to ask people to lay down in front of the tanks,” he said. But protesters might take a sharper tone and boo the president.
Bright was in town on March 22 for to rally in support of national parks. Concord resident Linda Paczkowski cleared the event with Minute Man staffers and said she is eager to speak out.
Paczkowski was worried about counterprotesters for her comparatively quiet gathering but said she still may participate in Bright’s demonstration this month.
Sue Beede was part of the crowd on March 22 and also might join April 19 protests.
“I don’t want to be afraid,” she said.
No word from Proud Boys
Rather than organize in a barricaded area, Concord Indivisible has encouraged followers to protest within the 250th anniversary crowd. Indivisible leaders Jennifer Hurley-Wales and Chris Miara said they don’t want to disrupt the event. Separate from the anniversary, Indivisible will gather on April 21 for a Patriots Day rally at First Parish Church to “oppose the Trump/[Elon] Musk authoritarian takeover.”
A regional NPS spokesperson said he had “no information to share” when asked by The Bridge whether any groups had requested protest permits for April 19.
Asked about readiness to handle protests after The Bridge spoke with Bright, public affairs specialist Mark Powell said, “Minute Man National Historical Park continues to work with its local, state, and federal public safety partners as we prepare for the many visitors who will come to the park on April 19.”
Ryan and Goldman told The Bridge that officials had not heard from the Proud Boys or any similar groups as of March 28. Ryan said protesters who had contacted police had been people who, like Bright, want to support and protect the national parks.
“There’s nothing that I’m really concerned about,” Mulcahy told the Select Board last month.
“But you never know.”
Laura Hayes contributed reporting.
