Dozens of people filled the Parkman Bandstand and hung American flags and banners reading “Believe in Boston.” Applause and cheers roared through the park in celebration of an end to a chaotic chapter in the Marathon bombings.
“There’s this feeling of collective joy and happiness,” said Kelley Gordon, a Massachusetts College of Art and Design student. “Everybody is smiling and happy and proud of who they are and where they’re coming from. I’ve never felt this kind of community.”
While the throngs rallied in the Common, others consoled one another at a memorial at the corner of Boylston Street and Berkeley Street. The memorial had a more quiet tone as people placed flowers and notes to honor the victims.
The crowd in the Common, after chanting “we got him” and referring to Boston as “the greatest city in the world,” observed a moment of silence for the victims of the bombings and the violent clashes with the suspects.
More than 1,000 people surrounded the Bandstand, cheering and embracing each other in joy. A chorus of Fenway Park favorite “Sweet Caroline” broke out among the crowd.
Streets were filled with people singing the Star-Spangled Banner.
From the Daily Free Press:
Cops were cheered. The “BPD” chant was common.
“Sweet Caroline” at the Common:
The more somber scene at the Marathon finish line.
Crowd gathered at Boylston Street Memorial and bells from Arlington Church ringing. So moving. twitter.com/Shyana212/stat…
— Shyana212 (@Shyana212) April 20, 2013
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The Boston Globe has another amazing, non-embeddable video. What a scene.
[Top image via @jrmd]
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