Anti-abortion marchers met with counterprotests in Boston Saturday

More than 100 anti-abortion activists — the vast majority of them men — marched along a roughly three-mile stretch in Boston ending at the city's common Saturday. The march was met with a roughly equal-sized counterprotest, with many dressed as clowns to mock the men and their message.

Participants in the so-called "Men's March" began their stride at around 11 a.m. outside the Planned Parenthood on Commonwealth Avenue. As they made their way toward the Parkman Bandstand, they recited the Hail Mary. Many wore suits and ties. The counterprotesters played circus music and slide whistles. Police on bikes traveled along the periphery.

"We thought it was important for men to stand up. They're responsible for the abortions as much as anybody else, right?" said Larry Cirignano who traveled from Washington D.C. for the march. "And we hear all the time 'my body, my choice.' And men don't have a choice whether they're going to be a father or not, and whether or not they're going to be able to say no to abortion. Men should be saying no to abortion all over the country."

As the march moved downtown, it was met by a second counterprotest group chanting "abortion bans have got to go" and other reproductive rights messages.

Zoe Weiss of Cambridge, along with her husband and 5-month-old son, came out to denounce the marchers and their message.

"We're here to make a mockery of these men who are in their suits and ties walking down the street, telling women what they should do with their bodies, as though they should have any choice in the matter," Weiss said. "And it is funny in a way that they think that that's their place, so I think dressing as a clown kind of puts that into perspective for them."

As the three groups converged, there appeared to be a brief scuffle with police who were seen detaining a few protesters and placing them in the back of a police wagon. Boston police confirmed Monday that at least 17 people were arrested.

Officers with sticks, face shields and zip ties formed police lines between the groups as they paused in Kenmore Square. An officer on a loudspeaker ordered protesters to disperse or face arrest. A short time later the groups continued to move toward Boston Common.

Upon arriving, metal barricades and police divided the groups. As the "Men's March" participants spoke from the Parkman Bandstand, counterprotesters shook the barricades and continued to play songs. The groups dispersed midafternoon.

Below are scenes from the demonstrations: