Protest Marches in Washington: Comparing the Numbers Historically

[mix]

In 1925, the KKK mobilized 60,000 in support of white supremacy.

In 1932, WWI veterans mobilized 42,000 to call for advance payments of veteran bonds (Bonus Army March).

In 1963, the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom took place, during which MLK gave his "I Have Dream" speech. 250,000 attended.

In 1971, protesters against the Vietnam War numbered around 500,000.

In 1973, the first March for Life (anti-abortion) was held. This march occurs every year and draws between 100,000-300,000 people.

In 1979, the first National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights was held, drawing 100,000.

In 1991, protesters against the Gulf War numbered 75,000.

In 1995, the Million Man March draws an estimated 800,000.

In 2003, 36 million people protested the Iraq War worldwide, 200,000 of whom did so in DC.

In 2004, the March for Women's Lives (pro-choice) draws around 1,000,000.

In 2009, the TeaBagger March brings 75,000 to DC.

These numbers could be better researched, but they aren't too far off. Progressive/liberal causes seem to draw more people. Historically, the TeaBagger March is quite small.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_protest_marches_on_Washington,_D.C.

[stevebreeze]

1. yet curiously right wing marches get more press

funny that the "liberal" media does that.

[thunder rising]

5. progressives must create a mass to get cameras...for baggers, the cameras were guaranteed

and even with the huge media hype and guaranteed camera coverage ... 75K???

If the topic had been Show Support for HCR with the same pre-hype and guaranteed coverage ... there would have been 2M.

[harkadog]

9. If we can get 2M as you say then definitely we should do it.

Why is it not happening?

[bettyellen]

2. not a protest, but quite germane: Obama's inaguaration 1.8 million

[Ian David]

3. You know what they say about guys with small teabags. n/t

[tsuki]

4. September, 2005

"Protesters from around the country joined a march in Washington, D.C. organized by ANSWER Coalition and United for Peace and Justice to promote peace and an end to the war in Iraq. Organizers claim that around 250,000 people attended the demonstration. Police said that 150,000 was "as good a guess as any". <1> C-SPAN, which broadcast the pre-march speeches, is said to have estimated 500,000."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_24,_2005_anti-war_protest

[John1956PA]

6. I marched that day. My estimate is that the crowd numbered at least 150,000.

At that event, the crowd grew steadily and peaked around 6:00 PM. Some arrived later that that, and they were still in time to enjoy the concert at the ellipse. I did not see the concert, since I left about 5:30 PM to hop the streetcar for the ride back to the Shady Grove terminus where the busses were parked.

[tsuki]

8. We stayed at the International Hostel. It was a great day. We filled

16 city blocks with more entering as some were leaving. The NY group did not arrive until late, as Amtrak broke down.

Millionaire$Media estimated about 100,000, although the police there estimated it at more than they had ever seen (between 3/4 to 1 million.)

Amazing that Millionaire$Media can report 24/7 on racists teabagger, but husband had to watch CSpan to see the march son & I were in.

[mix]

7. kick for the truth

The rightwing lies, as usual, about the crowd size and ABC calls them on it:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/protest-crowd-size-estim...