Three people were arrested Saturday when free speech advocates whose rally on Boston Common last summer drew boisterous counter-protesters regrouped there this weekend and were met again by demonstrators.
The conservative groups Resist Marxism and Boston Free Speech held a midday Saturday event on the Common despite being denied a permit they had sought from the city.
Meanwhile, counter-protesters chanted, "No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA."
Organizers planned the "Rally for the Republic'' event after angry counter-protesters overwhelmed a similar rally in August.
Boston Police spokesman Lt. Mike McCarthy had previously said authorities would be present. Three arrests were made -- two for disorderly conduct and a third for assaulting a police officer. The names of those charged were not immediately released.
Commissioner Evans praised the professionalism of police who were at the rally.
"From a public safety perspective, today's event on Boston Common couldn't have gone much better," said the commissioner.
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Legal observers were dispatched from the ACLU of Massachusetts to monitor the speakers' and protesters' access to the press. The organization said in a statement that it "forcefully condemns racism, white supremacy, white nationalism and all forms of bigotry."
Resist Marxism has denounced white supremacism repeatedly and publicly. But the previous August rally came shortly after deadly violence erupted in Charlottesville, Virginia, and it drew thousands who said they feared white nationalists might show up anyway.
Some clashed with police in that protest, and more than 30 were arrested.
