As the day unfolded, early media reports went something like this:
NY Times:
As they gathered before the march, the protesters met what several veterans of the antiwar movement described as an unusually large contingent of several hundred counterdemonstrators. Many were veterans in biker jackets who said they had come to protect the nearby Vietnam Memorial, citing rumors that had circulated among veterans groups that the demonstrators planned to deface it.
Cox News
While police in the nation’s capital no longer give official crowd estimates at public demonstrations, The Associated Press said a private count by police found perhaps 10,000 to 20,000 antiwar marchers and hundreds of counter-protesters.
LA Times
The counterprotesters, fewer in number but no less vocal, gathered on the east side of the Vietnam Wall and shouted political taunts
As CJ, Kit and myself wandered around the anti-war staging ground, it was quite apparent that there was far more elbow room here than over at the GOE staging ground. Twice I heard the MC ask the liberals to gather closer to the stage in an effort to make it appear there were more people present. This aggregation made it easier for the media to photograph this seemingly large group of protesters. Don't take my word for it or that of Cajun Tiger. CJ over at A Soldier's Perspective posted an audio recording of this request. All during this time, I was snapping photos with my cellphone and sending them to Midnightblue. I happened be in the middle of reporting on the liberal no-show to Mike's America just as the MC started to crank out what some might call music. I managed to video a portion of one of most requested songs in his lineup in anticipation of sharing it with all of you. Enjoy!
