Early papers

[whometense]

NY Times (not bad):

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/25/politics/25protest.html

Vast numbers of protesters from around the country poured onto the lawns behind the White House on Saturday to demonstrate their opposition to the war in Iraq, pointedly directing their anger at President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

A sea of anti-administration signs and banners flashed back at a long succession of speakers, who sharply rebuked the administration for continuing a war that has cost the lives of nearly 2,000 Americans and many more Iraqis. Many of the speakers also charged Mr. Bush with squandering resources that could have been used to aid people affected by the two hurricanes that slammed into the Gulf Coast.

As protesters moved from the rally to a march around the White House, they packed city streets, and in some areas, came face to face with groups of pro-administration demonstrators, who held up signs expressing support for the war.

Organizers of the rally and march had a permit for 100,000 people, but the National Park Service no longer provides official estimates for large gatherings in Washington.

Rallies held on Saturday in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and other cities drew considerably smaller crowds, but unlike the more varied themes of recent protests against administration policies, antiwar sentiment on Saturday was consistent throughout. In Washington, it was evident from the start, as an organizer screamed over the microphone, "Let Bush and Cheney and the White House hear our message: Bring the troops home now."

Hmmmm. Why do you suppose the"the National Park Service no longer provides official estimates for large gatherings in Washington"?

[whometense]

1. Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/24/AR2005092401701.html

Antiwar Fervor Fills the Streets
Demonstration Is Largest in Capital Since U.S. Military Invaded Iraq

By Petula Dvorak
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, September 25, 2005; Page A01

Tens of thousands of people packed downtown Washington yesterday and marched past the White House in the largest show of antiwar sentiment in the nation's capital since the conflict in Iraq began.

The demonstration drew grandmothers in wheelchairs and babies in strollers, military veterans in fatigues and protest veterans in tie-dye. It was the first time in a decade that protest groups had a permit to march in front of the executive mansion, and, even though President Bush was not there, the setting seemed to electrify the crowd.

<snip>

Protest organizers estimated that 300,000 people participated, triple their original target. D.C. Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey, who walked the march route, said the protesters achieved the goal of 100,000 and probably exceeded it. Asked whether at least 150,000 showed up, the chief said, "That's as good a guess as any.

"It's their protest, not mine. It was peaceful -- that's all I care about," Ramsey said.

[whometense]

2. Just for contrast, the Washington Times

http://www.washingtontimes.com/metro/20050925-124045-2765r.htm

Demonstrators assail president, war in Iraq

Thousands of protesters yesterday marched against the war in Iraq, aiming their anger at George W. Bush as they wound through downtown and past the White House.

Speakers at a rally on the Ellipse repeatedly called the president a criminal, a liar and a killer.

"We'll be the checks and balances on this out-of-control, criminal government," anti-war mother Cindy Sheehan told the crowd.

Hundreds of counterdemonstrators lined sections of the march route in support of Mr. Bush and U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"Hey, Cindy, leave our troops alone," supporters of the war sang, borrowing the melody of a Pink Floyd hit to scold Mrs. Sheehan.

[rockymountaindem]

3. About park service estimates

I believe their refusal to provide estimates stems from the controversy over how many people actually attended the "Million Man March". As I recall the Park Service said only 600k people were there, which the organizers of course disputed, insisting that 1,000,000 people really did show up. The ensuing controversy was turned into a big joke; the NPS on one side with scientific estimates, and the marchers on the other simply insisting based on what they wanted to believe. The NPS just threw up its hands and said "we're not doing this anymore". I don't think there's a sinister motive.