Pepperell man arrested at white supremacist rally in Boston faces judge

BOSTON — A man who was arrested at an “organized white supremacist” rally in Boston over the weekend faced a judge on Monday.

Christopher Hood, 23, of Pepperell, was arraigned in the West Roxbury Division of Boston Municipal Court on a charge of affray, according to the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office.

Apparent members of the Nationalist Socialist Club, or NSC 131, gathered wearing face masks near the Civil War memorial in Jamaica Plain on Saturday morning, and began chanting “off our streets.”

During the rally, Hood was allegedly involved in an altercation with a counterprotester. The counterprotester was initially charged with affray but the judge opted to drop that charge.

Video shared with Boston 25 News showed Hood, the founder of NSC 131, being taken away by police in handcuffs. A children’s drag queen story hour event was occurring in the area where Saturday’s protest began, according to the DA’s office.

Prior to the arraignment, demonstrators gathered outside of the courthouse, prompting a large police response.

In response to the white supremacist actions in Boston, Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden announced that he’s adding two positions to prosecute civil rights cases because he anticipates more unrest during upcoming elections.

A judge ordered Hood to stay away from people involved in the case. He is due back in court for a pre-trial hearing on Sept. 19.

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