Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert brought hundreds of thousands of ralliers to the National Mall here in Washington, DC, for for the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear. Although the actual person count was as elusive as a cohesive message, the crowds were substantial enough to cause the police to climb towers and the ralliers to climb trees. Then, there were the signs.
(I checked the reference–figs DO get a bad rap in the Bible.)
Aspects of traditional protest were merged with rave-ish costumes and festival attitudes, in a sort of disoriented political Halloween party.
The messages weren’t always obvious, but creativity and shock value were ever-flowing.
Thousands took Ariana Huffington’s free buses from New York City. They had to walk the last few miles from where the buses could park, but this didn’t affect their spirits.
An overt theme was elusive beyond “I have something to say”, although some sub-themes could be found:
- war
- marijuana
- gay rights
- religious tolerance (Islam, in particular)
- women’s rights
- the Tea Party
- immigration
- “I’m funny”
Also spotted were environmentally-friendly beards, references to the line at Georgetown cupcakes, and the ever-warming sight of our flag waving over our rights in action.
For additional images with more costumes, signs, and crowds, please see the gallery.
One response to “Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear, 10/30/10”
The angle makes this shot; with the contrasting lines of the trees vs. the buildings and people on the ground one wonders which is actually “true to life.” Hm……. With which metaphors are we playing here?