I don't know if it's on purpose, or that Washington journalists are so deep in the bubble that they don't realize how much their preconceived notions have infected their reporting (probably a mix of both), but I have never seen the media report on a demonstration that I have personally attended that was absent of obvious cherry picking and bias.
This year's "People's March" was no exception.
Here is the photo the Washington Post used to kick off their article on the march, "Thousands rally at People's March in D.C. to protest Trump."
Looks packed!
I've mentioned before the media trick of framing a tight shot in order to create the illusion of a massive rally.
Here's that same crowd (a little later, but the density of that one spot obviously changed little). I'm back further than The Post shot so you can see some media folks scrupulously filming the most concentrated part of the gathering
Now, let's pan over a little, towards the direction of the stage that was erected on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in line with the Washington Monument in the background.
When you're looking through a crowd, it always looks dense, but upon closer examination you can see it's pretty sparse over there save for people jammed in the narrow space between the stage and the reflecting pool.
Now, lets take a look from the back. This is a ways down the other side.
Even looking through the crowd, there's just not that many people.
This next one is from considerably further back.
The Post said "thousands rally" and I'll give them that. Three thousand? Maybe four, given the people I saw leaving as I was walking in about halfway through. I'll give them some credit for the crowd given the dreary day and the impending snow storm the next day, but a lot of effort was put in to put up a stage, video screens, and a sound system for a relatively small crowd.
They must be disappointed.
‘As Trump assumes the presidency in January, we are gathering to mobilize our collective power and stand against his efforts to roll back our rights and freedoms,' said Analilia Mejia, Co-Executive Director of Popular Democracy in Action, in a statement. ‘This is the first step in a long, renewed fight for a more perfect union, and we need you to show up, for each other and for ourselves. We need to make it clear in our numbers that we will resist MAGA's extremism for as long as it exists. We hope to see you at the People's March.'
Enough of the numbers game, let's get down to content.
The Post had pictures like these in its piece.
Awww, see, it's people just like you and me!
And this guy.
I have never been to a lefty protest or rally that did not have the socialists out in full force.
I have also never heard this reported, or at least highlighted in any way.
I saw that sign at first walking to the Metro as some crowds were leaving, presumably after their speakers were done.
(Like all these protests, it was a mishmash of special interests and identity politics, and it looked like groups were leaving once their narrow concerns had been addressed.)
Here's a closeup.
These signs were all over the place. I eventually came across the booth that was the source for these.
My favorite part was, of course, that the signs were "free," kind of like healthcare and a college education.
Here was another socialist table.
The guy there politely handed me a flyer which I graciously accepted.
I have a soft spot for those willing to note the existence of a uniparty. Still...
The WSWS is the online publication of the world Trotskyist movement, the International Committee of the Fourth International, and its affiliated sections in the Socialist Equality Parties around the world.
Hey, who's up for the Antifa segment of our leftist celebration?
I didn't notice it when I took the shot, but the Antifa person was hidden in a counter-protest group.
You really have to zoom in on this one.
I found her (I think her, I only caught a glance and it was hard to tell with the clothes and hoodie) later walking about.
Usually when someone carries a sign like this it's to call attention to the fact that not everyone in a particular group looks the same and is intended to elicit surprise and make a broader statement regarding the appeal of a particular cause. If this were, say, a matronly grandma, I'd say, "Huh, did not see that coming."
But this is absolutely among the caricatures I picture carrying an Antifa sign.
Unlike the mainstream media, which will turn a guy waiving his hand to get his wife's attention at a MAGA rally into a MAJOR SCANDAL sending teams of reporters across D.C. to badger elected Republican leaders into condemning the obvious use of a Nazi salute, I will instead note that this is the only Antifa sign I personally saw.
No matter, there was more to see.
By all means, let's free a (suspected) cold-blooded murderer!
It's certainly on-brand.
Then there was this, up on the stage as a union member was speaking.
"Trust Black Women."
So, is she implying we shouldn't trust the white woman who was speaking?
I find this so bizarre, this odd blanket statement applied to a group identity. It's infantile.
She's a "little upset."
Not exactly an inspiring call to arms, but perhaps I'm not fully appreciating the subtlety of her sarcasm.
The bros behind her look like they're talking about getting back to the frat so they can tap that keg they've had sitting on ice all day.
And there's "my body should not be political," which is fairly typical of the non sequiturs you'll come across at these kinds of demonstrations.
I felt a little sorry for these people in the chairs, with the exception of the lady with the "Make Billionaires Extinct Again" which was a bit too "Free Luigi for me.
When they sat down there they were probably thinking, "Hey, first row!" when in reality the only thing they could see were the behinds of the people standing on the steps in front of them.
Hey, look! it's No-Context Man!"
Yeah, he's a grandpa, that's why! Why for what, is unclear, just shut up and get off his lawn already.
"Why I March."
They must be buddies, although this guy was on the other side of the street. Probably had a fight over checkers.
This one reminded me of the Antifa protester:
Yes, of course you are a social justice warrior, you look exactly how I picture a social justice warrior would look.
You know that uncle of yours, the one who just drones on and on before getting to the point that when he finally does you forgot what you were talking about?
Apparently he went into the sign-making business.
The next one is as elaborate as it is disconnected from reality.
Then there's this.
You're the National Association of Women.
There was, of course, a massive amount of profanity. In fact, there was a collection of handmade signs all laid out for display that I can't even show you, and I can only show you about a third of this button board for the same reason.
In case you're wondering what you're missing, most of them were "<bad word> Trump!"
And then I had to edit the shirt on the right, scribbling over another bad word.
Incidentally, that guy does not believe that "This P---- Grabs Back." He's just trying to sell some shirts, okay. He'll probably be at the Trump events the rest of the weekend hawking MAGA merch.
Speaking of (capitalist) vendors, I really felt sorry for this next guy yelling, "C'mon, $5, $5..."
I guess he expected a bigger turnout, too.
The presence of social media at these protests has really become noticeable, as if everyone has a seldom-watched YouTube channel or struggling podcast they need content for. I have no idea who this is (let me know in the comments if you do) but I'm pretty sure she was trying to have a viral moment of some kind.
I wasn't interested in having a viral moment and so made my way home.
As I emerged from the Pentagon City Metro for my walk home, I felt relieved to have put the event behind me and enjoy the day unencumbered by...
