Greetings fellow Kossacks.
Although several excellent diaries have already been posted reporting on the big One Nation rally, I hope you will indulge another one. An event this large and spread out needs many story tellers, who from their different points of view, can come together to tell the whole story. I have admired the many pictures of people and signs and scenes that I missed. Some of the photos in this diary are taken from a vantage point afforded by media access and in some cases just plain dumb luck. The common thread amongst them all is the pure joy of spirit, a feeling of solidarity, united in purpose that one experienced no matter what part of the mall you were situated. It was therapy for this progressive to be with so many other like-minded sisters and brothers.
Between nursing an abused arthritic knee, recovering from cross-country travel and a climbing a steep tech learning curve, I am finally able to post this diary. It is a way for me to thank the sponsors who helped make my trip affordable. As one who has old canisters of Tri-X film rolling around a dusty bin, waiting for black and white images to materialize in a darkroom tray of chemicals, I am finally fully engaging the digital age.
Follow me over the fold for barkingcat's trip to DC.
The day before my scheduled flight to DC, I was getting ready for the trip when I experienced sharp pains in one knee that usually just aches with a dull roar from wear and tear. During a panicked phone consult with the doc, she recommended rest and offered to write me a note to excuse me from my appointed trip. That was not an option, I told her emphatically. So, I added a knee brace, ibuprofen and instant ice packs to my bags. And off we went to experience a wonderful event in an historic city.
My trip started at 3:30 am Friday after pulling an all-nighter. I couldn't sleep with all the building excitement and it seemed like everything that could go wrong, did, as I prepared for my journey. Two planes and 13 hrs. later, I was in the beautiful Union Station meeting a large group of Kossacks. You can check out the motley group in OPOL's diary or WoE's diary. It was fun to meet some of the writers who post here on teh Kos. Later on, I headed back to the Metro with PraireD and while we were at the station, we met two middle-aged, professional women. They had heard about the rally on the Ed Schultz show, and instantaneously decided that they had to travel to the rally from their homes in Iowa. I wonder what the crowd would have been like if there had been more pre-rally coverage from the MSM. As it was though, the turnout was terrific and no one picture could have captured the ebb and flow of the human tide throughout the day.
After returning to my hotel, I spotted a likely rally person in the lobby and sure enough, she was a Code Pink coordinator from Arizona. I had some concerns about how this group was going to present itself at the March, so I asked Nancy if we could talk about their mission. We went to the rooftop restaurant for "the interview" amidst ex-military types enjoying post-ballroom night caps. The irony was delicious as we both stood out as embodying the antipathy of all things military. Her family was Amish, embracing peace as their core values. Her father was one of the last of the grange farmers who was a poll watcher and lobbied Pres. Truman on behalf of the farmers. She supports Pres. Obama and worked toward his election. So what was Code Pink's mission? "Pro-peace, not anti-anything." Their focus was to "bring our war $$$ home" and "asking what people want to do with war $$$." Why did she travel to the rally? "I got a lot of friends excited," she said, she "represents progressives in her area" and she wanted to "reconnect with the activist network." What did she want from the rally? "MSM coverage", to show discontent with "corporate" influence and "re-energize with peace message." Lastly, I asked her to respond to criticism of the group's activities. She stated she is a "proud patriot"; that Code Pink "was the only group to stand up to Bush" because "somebody had to." We spoke about her future plans involving virtual world coordination and the group's planned photo op the next day. I regret that I did not get to their planned rendezvous. I do appreciate that Nancy was willing to let me report on her activities.
Rally day was an absolutely beautiful, clear day after torrential rains pounded the entire East Coast through the previous day. It was amazing that weather did not deter so many folks who drove or were riding a bus through the night to get there. I should note that rain clouds began gathering on Sunday and rain started up again on Monday. I think a parting of the clouds beats a formation of flying geese any day. Just sayin'.
So here are some photographic highlights of my day that I would like to share with you.
Fellow Metro riders with their signs about to Get On The ONWT shuttle bus from Foggy Bottom to the Mall.
A message for GOP greets ralliers
One Nation volunteers
CWA activists are jazzed. We all gave a shout out and were admonished by the Park Police.
Dance Troupe entertainment grooving to the George Clinton Band.
Rabbi Arthur Waskow. Read his inspiring "Justice Still Denied" sermon.
School children recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Jesse Jackson
A rendition of Jim Hightower's "Lowdown"
A statement on private health insurance.
Charlie Rangel on the move.
'Ms. Liberty says'
Angela Brown sings an incredibly beautiful rendition of the National Anthem.
Ed Schultz gets the crowd going with his One Nation chant.
A room with an awesome view.
Rev. Al Sharpton mingles with the crowd after a rousing speech.
Harry Belafonte wows the crowd.
What a Democrat would say.
Big Brother is alive and active.
An imposing backdrop. Read Ben Jealous' remarks here
Ben Jealous, a gracious man poses for pictures with an admirer. I thanked him for reaching out to the LGBT community and he gave me a hug!
What enthusiasm gap?
Thom Hartmann gives an interview. After he was finished, I went over to greet him and I stuttered like a kid in the presence of a rock star! Jeez! Despite that, he says hello to Daily Kos.
An intrepid rallier and Obama supporter (she insisted that his picture get in the picture). She and her companion were there from at the minimum 9 am to 4 pm in full sun.
View more pics and slideshow at flickr
A lot more happened during a very busy day. The speeches were inspiring. The crowds were fired up. Many different interest groups diffused the message of the event: Jobs, Education and Justice. But for all that you may find fault with, the intention to rally and enthuse liberals, progressives, the left was fulfilled. As much as I wanted to meet up with other Kossacks after the rally, I had a date with an ice pack, so I headed back to my hotel. Oh, and thanks to the ONWT team for the golf cart transportation between the bus and the mall, and the shuttle busses to the Metro. I hear that some stations were packed to overflow causing long lines. My train was standing room only, but no problems.
I returned home late Monday night and I'm back at the campaign office for the final stretch to GOTV. If you got this far, thanks for reading.
One Nation Working Together sent us home with a request:
Make the 10.2.10 pledge:
*Call 10 people to GOTV
*Recruit 2 friends to make more calls
*Commit to 10 volunteer hours to GOTV