Anti - Nazi Gathered At Boston Common park.
Gathered on Saturday at Boston Common park, but abruptly left about an hour and a half after the event started.
According to reports, an estimated 15,000 people showed up at the counterprotest.
They chanted anti-Nazi and anti-fascism slogans, and waved signs that said: "Love your neighbor", ''Resist fascism" and "Hate never made US great".
Others carried a large banner that read: "SMASH WHITE SUPREMACY".
One of the planned speakers of the "free-speech rally" was quoted by AP news agency as saying the conservatives' event "fell apart".
Police had deployed 500 officers - some in uniform, others undercover - to keep the two groups apart.
Many had feared violence after an August 12 rally in Charlottesville turned deadly. Then, a white supremacist mowed down crowds of people, killing 32-year-old anti-racist protester Heather Heyer and inuring dozens.
Samson Racioppi, a Libertarian Party congressional candidate from the US state of Massachusetts, was slated to speak on the "free-speech" stage.
He told WCVB-TV he did not realise "how unplanned of an event it was going to be".
Earlier, he said that when free speech is "suppressed", the only recourse "extremists will have remaining is [sic] terrorism and violence".
Mayor Marty Walsh had pointed out that some of those invited to speak "spew hate".
Kyle Chapman, who described himself on Facebook as a "proud American nationalist," had also announced his attendance.
Saturday's showdown was mostly peaceful, and after demonstrators dispersed, a picnic atmosphere took over with stragglers tossing beach balls, banging on bongo drums and playing reggae music.
"I came out today to show support for the black community and for all minority communities," said Rockeem Robinson, 21, a youth worker from Cambridge.
He said he was not concerned about his personal safety because he felt more support on his side.
Katie Griffiths, 48, a social worker also from Cambridge, who works with members of poor and minority communities, said she finds the hate and violence happening "very scary."
"I see poor people and people of colour being scapegoated," she said. "Unlearned lessons can be repeated."
Events were also planned around the country, in cities including Atlanta, Dallas and New Orleans.
Social media users celebrated developments in Boston as a feat against rising racism and hate crimes in the United States.
However, President Donald Trump berated counterprotesters, accusing them of being "anti-police agitators".
Trump, whose response to white-supremacist-led violence in Charlottesville has been heavily criticised, tweeted: "Looks like many anti-police agitators in Boston. Police are looking tough and smart! Thank you.
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