Boston had been bracing for a major confrontation as counter protestors promised to confront the "Free Speech Rally" on the common today. But that didn't come to fruition thanks to police barricades, which kept the rally participants far away from counter protestors, who numbered around 40,000 strong. It wasn't until things moved away from the park that the tension escalated to violence. Here are a few observations on the day.

1. The self-described “free speech” demonstrators on Boston Common today were like tethered goats.

Their city permit limited their number to 100. From my vantage point, probably 80 yards, it looked as if there were fewer. I didn’t see any evidence of amplification equipment. At about 12:50 p.m., the right-wing demonstrators left their redoubt, the neo-classical Parkman Bandstand. Police escorted them through a mostly peaceful, but notably hostile crowd of counter protesters. According to estimates, the crowd reached 40,000.

2. It was hard to get a handle on what this would look like.

Speculating about what could have happened at events such as this is a risky business. Still, I’ve covered demonstrations and riots of varying intensity over the past 40 years, and in my judgment the potential existed for Boston to turn into a Charlottesville, Va. ­–– but in reverse, with the left physically savaging the right.

3. Police strategy and tactics are what made the difference.

The physical plan — double and sometime triple security fences, widely spaced and patrolled by even-tempered but firm cops –– put the speech demonstrators inside a ring of law enforcement. The real muscle, riot equipped officers, was nearby. They were visible to some, but were not the front-line presence.

4. In terms of guaranteeing the exercise of constitutional rights, both the left and the right (technically) enjoyed free assembly.

Although the left – mainly local counter protesters –– controlled the terrain. Limiting myself to what I saw, I witnessed three instances of pro-Donald Trump individuals or small groups set upon and surrounded by opponents. In all three instances, the Trump folks were verbally barraged. In two cases, they were physically assaulted and knocked to the ground. In one case, the crowd intervened to save the assaulted from their attackers. It was jarring, but I saw worse during Boston’s school desegregation crisis.

5. In terms of free speech, the left won the day.

If the right-wing free speech demonstrators tried to speak, I couldn’t hear them. I doubt they could talk to anyone but themselves and their police protectors. There was no doubt that this was a crowd opposed to Trump, neo-Nazis and white supremacy.

6. We've seen this before — kind of.

I think it’s possible to make a limited comparison with the Women’s March that took place on nearly the same ground several months ago. The over whelming majority of counter protesters were what you’d recognize as progressive, that is they would fit in nicely in Dudley Square, Jamaica Plain or Somerville. It struck me, however, that there were sizable numbers of anti-fascists, or antifa as they are known. Why note the distinction? Because the antifa are younger, more energetic and more aggressive. They also seem to subscribe to a collective discipline, at least within their cohort. One woman, 20ish to my eyes, said she considered herself to be “an anti-Trump shock trooper.” She declined to be identified, but spoke passionately of the need to fight what she called “the hard right.”

7. All hands were on deck for crowd and vehicle control.

As I walked away from the Common toward Copley Square, I noted that Boston Public Works trucks blocked all of the vehicular approaches to the demonstrations. That was also the case during the Gay Pride March in late spring. Clearly authorities have conditioned themselves to guard against the latest method of terror attacks.

8. A musical interlude.

At 1:50 p.m., I paused by the Arlington Street Church, the cathedral of Boston Unitarianism (if there can be such a thing). Arlington Street played significant roles in the civil rights movement, the opposition to the war in Vietnam, and the crusade for gay and lesbian rights. For several minutes, the belfry chimed out the sounds of “We Shall Overcome”. Over and over.