Since he first announced his plan to host a Glenn Beck-style grass-roots gathering on the National Mall Sept. 16, interest in what Stewart has described as a "Million Moderate March" -- meant to counter the shrill, often hyperbolic tenor of American political discourse -- has grown steadily. At present, approximately 216,000 people have signaled on Facebook that they plan to attend the Rally to Restore Sanity or Stephen Colbert's companion (rival?) rally, the "March to Keep Fear Alive."........
By harnessing the organizing power of social networks, Stewart, Colbert and fans seem to have given birth to not just a one-off send-up of Glenn Beck's Restoring Honor gathering but a nationwide platform in which an equally impressive number of Americans will eschew vitriol in favor of measured statements.
The anticipated size of each satellite rally ranges greatly. In Sarah Palin's hometown of Wasilla, Alaska, for instance, about 160 people are expected to gather at Wasilla Middle School on Oct. 30 between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.
In Austin, Texas, meanwhile, 3,680 people say they will head to the Texas State Capitol's south steps between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the 30th.
With attendees ranging from the low hundreds to the low thousands, events are planned in places like Chicago; St. Paul, Minn.; Tempe, Ariz.; Denver; Milwaukee; Lexington, Ky.; Indianapolis; Boston; Salt Lake City; Portland, Ore.; Tampa, Fla.; Atlanta; San Diego and many more cities and towns, promising to make Stewart's day a story not limited to Washington D.C.
Originally Posted by dawgman
Bookmarks