We emerged from the Metro station in view of the Washington Monument. Moving from the space-age architecture of the DC subway system into the daylight is always a shock, but yesterday the jolt was multiplied by the sight of an enormous peace flag lying on the grass. It was adorned by a skull.
The crowd flowed down 15th Street towards Constitution Avenue, and we followed. So many people, moving in every direction.
As we approached the ellipse, where speakers such as Cindy Sheehan and Jesse Jackson addressed the crowd before the march, protesters choked off the streets. People were everywhere — on the pavement, on the grass. On the lips of fountains, on the pedestals of statues. Lining up in groups, listening to speakers in front of the stage. Handing out stickers, selling buttons, passing along flyers and postcards. Waving flags, holding up signs, chanting in unison. Smiling, singing, shouting, dancing, ranting. And marching.
The crowd seemed a microcosm of a better, if somewhat more wacky, world:
I saw the young
and the young-at-heart.
I saw veterans of past wars
and veterans of current wars.
The fallen were remembered . . .
in more ways than one.
Even the President made an appearance
or two.
Protesters asked some good questions
and even the road signs seemed heavy with import
Yes, it was one for the ages
We did not stop the war yesterday.
But I have no doubt that we will.
This rally was an important building block, marking a seismic shift in American attitudes towards the War in Iraq. As speaker Jello Biafra said during the post-rally concert, this day, and the huge number of people that turned out to protest the war, marks the mainstreaming of the anti-war movement in the United States.
Welcome to the new world order.
Get up and shout.
The full set of my photos is available on Flickr. Unfortunately, my camera battery died soon after after the march started, and I had no backup.
Other friends who were there, and have described their experiences, include Neddie, Richard, somegirl, and Albert. I will post more on the march, and my impressions of it, as the week progresses.
23 Comments on "Anti-War Rally in Washington D.C."
All Spin Zone:
Saturday in the Park
I don’t think we saw the sun all day - maybe a peek or two here and there, but it was mostly cloudy, mild, and at one point the skies threatened to open up. The gray drabness of late September…
Agi T. Prop:
Wonderful Matt.
I’m a huge DK/Jello fan so I would have loved to see Jello speak.
NeddieJingo:
Oh, and I’m sure you had some totally awesome reason not to tell your Uncle Ned where you would be — or even that you were coming to DC at all — so we could hook up and Zelig the crowd together…
frenchy lamour:
i couldn’t go, daddy duties. first one I’ve missed.
I read that it was awesome, thanks for everything.
-sigh- if only he was a year or two older.
the washington post said 300,000, so it may have been more.
somegirl:
just beautiful, matt.
jillian:
Great photos!
expostulation » Blog Archive » the rally:
[…] Brad Blog 1 Brad Blog 2 (videos) AfterDowningStreet Kos diary w/pics “The people just keep coming…” & Matt @ TatteredCoat has great pics […]
Suzy Shedd:
Thanks, Matt — even the MSM noticed the protest. Critical mass accomplished!
Kate:
You rock, Matt!!
AGITPROP: News, Politics, Culture and Propaganda -- Live and Direct From The American Empire:
Thoughts On The Los Angeles Peace March
Saturday’s peace march in Los Angeles was a great experience. The aftermath, however, left me with several questions. What happens next? Will the marches make a difference for the peace movement? How many more marches will need to occur for
Steven:
What shitty photos of a bunch of Liberal jerkoffs. George W. Bush is the MAN! You should all come back to the real world and stop living in LA LA land.
FUCK YOU ALL!
Rod:
Oh, Steven.
the smedley log » Blog Archive » Documenting the peace rally:
[…] Two members of my local blogosphere, Matt and Albert, attended the March for Peace in Washington, D.C., over the weekend, and were kind enough to provide documentation (including pictures). […]
howard:
I’m amazed you managed to post this and only get one raving warhawk to respond so far — and not even an articulate one, at that. Nice work, Matt.
Jed:
Good to see the Tattered Coat was representin’ in DC this weekend. You can add my voice (and feet) to the list of fellow bloggers in attendance. I’ve recapped my thoughts over at DAYS.
Keep up the fight everyone. Every voice counts.
(oh, and FU Steven… you’re a moron)
cookie:
great pics, Matt!
The Heretik:
NO McKRAP AT LEFTY’S LOUNGE
EVERYBODY CAN GET SOME AT LEFTY’S LOUNGE TONIGHT where we serve no McKrap TM. . . . .GREAT PIX from TATTERED COAT in DC . . . LIBERAL CRAP? Get it from ROXANNE . . . MAHA serves up
Roxanne:
I don’t think you were too far away from us at that rally. I recognize some of the folks in your photos.
Pepper:
Swell photos! It’s so heartening to see so many different types who are angry. No one can say “it’s just a liberal thing” or “it’s just a tree-hugger thing anymore.”
Maybe I’ll make a sign for the next West Coast protest that says “Take this latte, and shove it!”
SkaroffBlog:
March on DC (part 1): Photos
Some day I’ll get on the ball with this whole Flickr thing, but for now here are a couple of my shots from this weekend:
Also, check out Matt’s excellent post and photoset from the day as well as Albert’s photoset which…
Tantor:
I had an alternate take on the protest, which I photoblogged and posted here:
http://conprotantor.blogspot.com/2005/09/marching-with-moonbats-in-dc.html
Cheers!
Tantor
Stephanie Mortimer/Meyer:
To Tantor (Steve) regarding your photos of the September 24th March.
This is not the march I went to. Sure, my march had its share of loonies but most of us were sober citizens exercising our right to protest the war. If the march was an elephant, the part you saw was the bit under the tail.
I have to add, though, that your photo editing has improved considerably since “steveswildride”.
Stephanie
Tantor:
Stephanie,
Glad you liked the photos but am confused about the march you were in. Quite clearly, the lunatics were running the march. And there weren’t just a few of them. I have hundreds of photos of lefty lunacy.
I sweeten up my photos now with Photoshop Elements. Hitting the autofix button on each one makes even the best picture even better. For example, it heightens the contrast between “Communist Party” on those red banners so you can see it really well and of course, it makes Bush’s head on a stick show up better against an overcast sky. I recommend it.
See ya at the next march!
Tantor
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