"It is an anti-fear-based media rally," stated one.
By James Koetz
Thousands gather at the "rally to restore sanity and/or Fear" in Washington, DC Saturday
Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The media has spent the last few weeks trying to guess what the Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert had planned for their "Rally restore sanity and/or Fear" — without much success.But on Saturday (30 October), the day of the event, the participants had a clear idea of what they expected: laugh and experience a moment of political and cultural catharsis.
"I expect to laugh and see just foolishness," said Lilly Pinto, 26, from Arlington, Virginia, MTV News.
Jen Stokes said they came because they believed that the rally provides a healthy political counterpoint to extreme political dialogue. "There are a lot of tea parties in DC, so it's refreshing to something that a majority of people can relate; Also, it seemed like a lot of fun. "
Her friend Haley Smith, who wore a leprechaun hat in celebration of Halloween (and its fears symbolize), agreed.
"It is an anti-fear-based media rally," Smith explained.
Wes Harden, Shane Waters and Austin Burry reed 11 hours straight from Detroit to the rally. each one of them was wearing a mask and kept mops in one hand and a Red Bull in the other signifying their desire to clean up Washington and their fatigue, respectively.
"D.C. become such a circus, so I guess this rally was required to show that that we can make a United Nation and achieve something," said Harden.
The National Mall was filled with four blocks of people (organizers estimated the crowd at 250,000) signs and wearing costumes for the three-hour event that combined "Daily Show" and "Colbert Report"-style of humor with musical performances.
David, a student from Berkeley, California, said the event is a success and was happy to see all "take it down a notch."
Meredith Canyon wore a bear suit (Colbert the ultimate fear), because they thought it was perfect bear suit. She wanted to ensure that they look for an "epic moment in the history was. Twenty years from now, I can say that I attended," she said after the rally.
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