Boston Protests President Trump: Downtown Marches Block Traffic

Traffic is reportedly clogged around the Boston Common, as what's been reported as thousands of protesters gather in the hours after President Donald Trump's inauguration.

The Boston Women's March, potentially numbering in the tens of thousands, is planned for the area Saturday. Before that protest, additional contingents of opponents to the president and his policies are massing as well.

Protests have been reported in the area of Dewey Square and the Boston Common, later Friday afternoon. As they converge downtown near 5 p.m., reports of blocked traffic are cropping up as the evening commute gets underway.

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Protesters parading through Boston's Finance District chanted, "This is what democracy looks like!" and "No Trump! No KKK! No fascist USA!" (video)

The city's transportation department tweeted an alert: "Please be advised of Protesters that gathered in Dewey Sq & believed to be heading towards the Boston Common."

According to a press release from organizers earlier in the day, the Dewey Square marchers are part of a planned "Boston People’s Inauguration” event "underscoring the importance of unity across impacted communities and social justice movements in the face of right wing attacks."

Organizers said the event plans to culminate on the Common at 5 p.m. with a rally and "People’s 'Swearing-In' Ceremony," "where participants will renew their commitment to the fight for social justice in the face of escalating right wing and racist attacks." Organizers come from groups including Boston's Chinese Progressive Association, Right to the City and City Life Vida Urban.

Additional protests started earlier in the day near the Common.

It isn't Boston's first mass protest against the newly inaugurated president. On Nov. 9, around 4,000 swarmed the Boston Common, the day after Trump's election. Subsequent, if smaller, protests have continued in the weeks since, including a "Love Still Trumps Hate" protest and a Boston Public Schools walkout.

Saturday's march is expected to be Boston's largest demonstration yet, happening in tandem with hundreds of other Women's March for America events around the country.

Photo courtesy @WendyB464. Used with permission. Pictured: Boston protesters marching up High Street.