'Love Still Trumps Hate' Rally Attracts Over 1,000 to Boston Common

BOSTON, MA — Bostonians are again rallying in response to Donald Trump's election, the second event this week excepted to reach thousands of attendees, this time under the banner of a "Love Rally."

That's according to the Facebook event page, where roughly 3,800 had RSVP'd as of Friday morning.

At 1:45 p.m., about two dozen teenagers headed down the Comm Ave. mall wearing stickers with Hillary Clinton's campaign logo and carrying signs. At 5:30 p.m., a young woman wearing silver pasties under a black fishnet top hopped off a Green Line train with a friend, who carried a decorated "Love Trumps Hate" poster.

All were headed to join the throng on Boston Common, where organizers estimate thousands have already clustered, waving hand-written signs and American flags in a bitingly cold November breeze. A reporter on-scene put her own estimate at roughly 1,400, as of about 5 p.m.

The event is scheduled from 2-7 p.m. at the Park Street Station on Boston Common. No accompanying march is planned, and organizers state the event is a peace rally, not a protest.

From the description:

The results of the 2016 election do not have to define us a citizens. Let's unite together to peacefully show all of those whom Donald Trump or his supporters have put down that we still care about them, and to give them an opportunity to have their voices be heard. Let the Muslims, women, Latinx, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, people who cannot afford healthcare, and any minorities that have fallen victim to hate speech know that we all will continue to support them and love them. Spread love and peace through the country, and help start the movement#LoveStillTrumpsHate.

Another Love Rally is simultaneously being held in New York City's Washington Square Park.

The stated tone is a marked contrast with Wednesday's rally against Trump, also held in the Boston Common. That event was at times profane and often palpably angry among at least a portion of the protesters, as participants channeled their dismay at Trump's election in different ways. See photos, full coverage, here.

At Friday's rally, the organizers instruct, "Care for each other and make America proud. To anyone who has felt silenced by the candidates of the election, come and share your voice. We want to hear you. Invite your friends and loved ones, make signs and share peaceful thoughts of love and compassion to the American public."

Not all were there to stand against Trump.

Trump supporters Jack R. (pictured above, right) and 17-year-old Matt B. told a reporter at the rally they were there "to engage in open discussion" with Trump's opponents.

Although he wasn't old enough to vote this cycle, Matt said he was still involved in the election through political clubs at school and the Boston March for Life. He was not a Trump supporter from the beginning, he said, but as someone who was raised Roman Catholic, "I loved how Mr. Pence stood up for life on topic of abortion." He doesn't support Trump's policy on free trade, but Matt said he remains hopeful on key issues.

Photos courtesy Jazzy Roulhac, of BeautifulBostonian.com, and Sarah Bentancourt, who contributed to this report.