March on the Pentagon
Saturday March 17, 2007
Counter protesters were out in a high number than ever before due to a crazy rumor circulating the loonysphere about anti-war protesters planning to deface the Vietnam War Memorial.
I’d estimate around 2 to 3 thousand counter protesters, according to some the highest number ever seen.
View from the Potomac. We were 50 minutes late getting to the start point due to travel conditions, so we fell in at the tail end of the march. Hard to see, but the march stretches from one end of this picture to the other along the treeline.
I’d estimate our presence at around 20-30 thousand, far less than previous protests I’ve attended, but with the temperature below freezing, I’d rather have been drinking green beer elsewhere as well…
The marchers flooded down this grassy hill to the rally point.
The rally point.
In the Crowd.
The march split into two, this group tried to get as close as it could to the Pentagon before the police stopped them.
The protesters then took seats.
My Da’, right on the front lines once again, 40 years later.
They weren’t prepared for this many people.
The Cavalry arrives
P.S. Unfortunately DBK of Blanton’s and Ashton’s and our own NavySwan couldn’t make it due to illness in the family. I missed rendezvousing with Mimus Pauly from Mockingbird’s Melody and “Red State Blues” from Blondesense due to e-mail snafu. My thanks to all the bloggers that covered the protest, even though it seems more right-wingers did than major blogs along the lines of Atrios’s Eschaton, Crooks and Liars, and Think Progress. More than a little disappointing.
P.P.S I’ll try to put it all in a little more context next post.
15 Comments
Great photos!!!!
thank you so much for going. When you think of it, this march was part of a huge, huge world-wide effort and that’s a good feeling. The D.C. crowd had to be the most courageous and tough to take the extreme cold. I’m shivering just looking at the video. Well done. Very well done.
Watched on CSPAN and was surprised at the counter protesters as you mentioned.
The rumours that are spread, about the defacement are par for the course. ; (
Weather was a factor, as I mentioned to someone in AU. Otherwise, the numbers seem to be growing and for good reason.
When the weather breaks, they’ll see!
Riot gear, that cracks me up!
Ditto Peacechick. This was an important statement and it is great that so many braved the elements to make it.
Excellent pics, Frederick! We had a great turnout too in sunny CA–but not nearly as huge as those of you braving the cold in DC. Love the picture of Dad!!!
I saw one lamebrain post in which the blogger alleged that the counter-protesters far outnumbered the anti-war protesters. He even posted a video to “prove” it. Mmm hmm.
Thanks for going and the posting about it. I had been searching for posts about the march to see how it went. Was disappointed that I couldn’t make it. That certainly is a much larger number of counter-protesters than in January.
Great pictures!!! Sorry to hear about the lousy trip down and that we missed meeting up with you. Next time for sure.
I’ve never marched on Washington. I’ve promised to do so over the years, but haven’t yet.
Glad to see you were able to do what I have yet to do!
Looks like it was fun and a rush.
It does this old heart good to see so many people braving this HORRID COLD WEATHER to stand up for what’s right.
I’m thrilled the weather at our protest was way warmer.
I’m glad you were able to make it. The weather looks terrible. I still wish I had been able to go though.
Nice work dude.
I am impressed that you honestly admit in his post that the this march had fewer protesters than usual and more counter-protesters than usual…
Btw, I added you to my blogroll and wrote about this post in here on my blog
And now I’m sick. Sigh. I’ll have to eat something greasy and salty to get over it. Forget that Vitamin C echinacea zinc stuff. You get a cold, you gotta down a Costco chicken bake with lots of bacon and cheese and grease.
Hello. I am starting a campaign to celebrate the departure of Tony Blair (B minor) from office with the release of thousands of coloured balloons. I thought perhaps the idea might appeal also to you for when George Bush leaves office.
Awesome video, man. I was there, but only made it as far as the bridge – my young daughter was succombing to the temps.