We sent out our photographer to see what the rally on September 18 was doing to our neighborhood. Thankfully, the answer was ‘very little’ as typified by this picture of our side of the Capitol. (RSP)
Precautions, such as the closing of the Capitol South Metro stop, abounded. (RSP)
Seeing military-style vehicles in front of the Capitol never looks good. Even if they’re police cars. (RSP)
They were certainly prepared if the protestors try to ram the area. All roads – and the whole Mall – were blocked with D.C. snow plows. (RSP)
At this point, about 2-1/2 hours before the rally was to begin, there were more counter-protestors than protestors (The guy on the far left is carting off a “Loser” flag) but there were far more police than either of them. And more media than that. And, most of all, people like me, joggers, dog-walkers etc. (RSP)
And here are the organizers. Making very slow going of putting up a simple stage. (RSP)
A large contingent of media was there (which is part of why we decided that there was nothing to be gained from hanging around) (RSP)
How bored was the media? Here, they are filming a police officer. Sitting in his car. Looking at his phone. Stop the presses, indeed. (RSP)
The most excitement we encountered was this traffic stop. Four police vehicles and who-knows-how-many officers were involved, while the driver tried to negotiate with where he was going to pull over. The police were not amused. Fortunately, that was it for conflict that day. The rally itself was attended by dozens of protestors, recorded by hundreds members of the media and uncountable police officers.(RSP)
