Without doubt temperatures hovering around freezing reduced considerably the size of the crowds. I would say there were between 10 and 20 thousand antiwar demonstrators ..much less than the 100 thousand or so that turned out en force during the previous protest in January. It was into the 50s and thus perfect marching weather that day.
Also turning out in force were the pro-war/pro-Bush supporters, perhaps two thousand or so black-leather jacketed folks mostly lined behind fencing and waving flags, throwing "one fingered salutes" and shouting a great deal of verbal abuse upon the marchers.
There was definitely a rougher feeling to the protest march than previous anti-war rallys although still nothing like my memories of the late 60s Viet Nam riots here in DC.
According to news reports no violence broke out as police were also out enforce and worked at cooling flared tempers between antagonists.
Here's a short 2 minute video of saturday's march that I did not put much effort into.
A friend of ours, Jim Goodnow is a life-long political activist. He drives a big ole bus with his message plastered all over it. His website is at: Yellow Rose Peace Bus
I didn't make it all the way to the Pentagon. (4 mile round trip) My fingers were freezing off from taking pictures which I can't accomplish while wearing gloves. (ok, so I'm a wussy and a fair weather marcher.)
Below is a 10 photo slideshow of some of the action.
(mouse over image for slideshow control)
Winter is almost over. yeaaah! Thoughts of returning to Iowa are again dancing like sugar plums in my head. (do sugar plums dance?)
in the meantime.. life is good.
Patti and I wish all of you reading this great heaping helpings of goodness as well.
-bill
