More than 500 cops to patrol Common tomorrow; Walsh urges people to stay away and not give Nazis the attention they crave

Mayor Walsh says he'll be spending Saturday going from one barbecue to another in Boston's neighborhoods, many as part of annual "unity" events at the city's housing projects.

That, he says, is how Bostonians should react to tomorrow's racism rally at the Parkman Bandstand.

But, Walsh continued at a morning press conference, police will be out in force on and around the Common to make sure there are no repeats of what happened in Charlottesville.

"The courts have made it abundantly clear they have the right to gather no matter how repugnant their views are," Walsh said, adding, however, they don't have the right to incite violence. "In return [for a permit], they must respect our city. ... If anything gets out of hand we will shut it down."

He urged Bostonians who do go down to the Common to protest the race-baiting anti-Semites to avoid giving them what they want - attention and interaction - and show the world that Bostonians are for peace and equality.

Walsh, Gov. Baker and Police Commissioner William Evans said that in addition to at least 500 uniformed and undercover cops roaming the Common and nearby streets, more cops will be stationed at staging areas, just in case. Evans said police will confiscate any bats, sticks or other potential weapons.

"We have to make it clear what we stand for in the city of Boston," Walsh said. "We ask everyone to help us promote peace."

Walsh even said he is still urging tourists to come to Boston tomorrow - except maybe during the rally's hours of noon to 3 p.m.

Evans said Tremont Street along the Common will be shut around 10:30 a.m. The Common garage will also be shut, but all downtown T stations will remain open (except Bowdoin, but that's because it's normally closed on weekends).

Evans added he kind of blames the local media for whipping up hysteria over what Walsh said would be "5 people [coming to Boston] to spew hate."

"Everyone thinks there's going to be a war tomorrow," Evans said.