I took yesterday off. When I planned this a few weeks ago, I chose May 1 because it was a Monday without any meetings, and I am dangerously close to maxing out my vacation bank. It turned out that the rally at the capitol was the same day, so I decided to go to that.
I took lightrail from 29th street at about 10:15 am. The cars were packed with tons of marchers all heading to the capitol, too. I got off at 8th & O and walked on over to the west steps where thousands had already gathered. As I wandered into the thick of the crowd, I couldn't help but be emotionally moved by the numbers that had turned out in support of the issues at hand. Before long, I was handed a little flag and the march was on. I really hesitate to call this demonstration more than a rally or a march. When I think of the word protest, I think of something much more agressive. The overall feeling of the event was positively charged and peaceful. There were familes there, kids in strollers, the very old and young. I did not notice many other minority groups aside from latinos though and I only saw a few white people.
Along the march around the capitol park and down L street to 4th and back up to the west steps via the captiol mall, I only viewed two counter demonstrators. One white power dude in red-laced docks carrying a sign that said "we built the fence, you jumped it." His presence was met with louder chants of "si se puede." Another guy, dressed in office casual was holding a sign that said "remember the alamo, invade Mexico!" Many of us were a little puzzled by that last one. As the parade progressed back to the capitol, the weather turned blazing hot. I did my best to find some shade near the west steps and tried to listen in on the speakers shouting from the PA on the steps. It was getting more and more crowded as the other marchers from south side park joined us. At about 1:30 I decided to take off. Since I vowed to not buy anything aside from lightrail tickets, grabbing a bite to eat downtown was off. So I got another lightrail ticket and waited for the train. Because of the march, the schedule was really delayed. I waited at least 30 minutes until the train arrived and then it was packed with demonstrators. I barely got on and had to stand in the stairwell all the way to 23rd street.
I'm really glad I went to this and showed my support. Immigration reform is needed, but not in the way that the House of Representatives is proposing. I guess you know how I'll be voting.
Okay, that's about as political as I get.
