An interfaith vigil was held in Boston Friday night ahead of a planned Boston 'Free Speech' Rally.
The Anti-Defamation League held the vigil at 5 p.m. at the Temple Israel of Boston at 477 Longwood Ave.
"Organized by the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, this gathering of Unity, Love, and Strength will feature inspiring words from faith leaders across Greater Boston," said the Boston ADL in a statement.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Gov. Charlie Baker, Police Commissioner William Evans, Attorney General Maura Healey and other notable local politicians attended the event.
"After the terrible events last weekend in Charlottesville, and the second desecration of the holocaust memorial in Boston...I can't tell you how grateful I am for the folks who gave us the chance to come here," said Mayor Walsh at the ceremony.
"So many people are in pain," said Shaykh Yasir Fahmy, Senior Imam at ISBCC, "and it is time for us to come together and push back with excellence, with justice, with mercy against those in our society who are causing that pain."
Massachusetts State Police said they're expecting a crowd in the "thousands" to attend between rally participants and counter-protesters at the rally on Boston Common Saturday at noon. Counter-protest organizers said they expect as many as 20,000 to 30,000 people to join them.
