It was hotter than the other days we had been there, so O and I opted for a taxicab this time. We'd been pretty careful with money and decided we could afford the cab to save on time and sweating heat!
Nonetheless, when we got there, there was already a HUGE line of people. We took our places at the end and waited... The march was to start at 10 am, we got there around 9:30. They didn't want us there before 9 am at all, so we had delayed a bit. The waiting wasn't much fun for Owen. He read signs, but really was hot and uncomfortable, and we were just standing there for a long time. I understood, and quietly cursed at myself for forgetting our hats. Once we got moving, things would get better.
Owen loved the Washington Monument, where we met to begin the march:
Too big for one picture where I was... the top:
The line forward:
The line just beginning to fill up behind us. 45 minutes later, and it was so far back I couldn't make out the end:
And then, at about 5 or 10 after the hour, we began to slowly move forward. We were both grateful to take some steps forward. We actually moved through the line more quickly than some folks were. We moved to try to close the gaps.
Just getting started:
Lot's of great signs:
Closing those gaps:
They closed the street for us:
In fact, there were police sitting there, in short sleeved heavy black shirts with long black pants, with assorted belts and gizmo's hanging off of them, wearing full helmets, and not sweating a drop. I was wearing a sleeveless white shirt and light gray capri pants with sandals and I was dripping buckets. lol!! Acclimitizing to MY Washington means that I'm not at ALL ready for the OTHER Washington. All that heat and sweat and muggy made me long for the cool rains of home.More signs. These women were nurses and a few of those syringes were *actually* used on their children. So are these nurses hysterical?
More architecture (Owen's favorite thing):
I should note that several chants went through the crowd -- "green our vaccines!" of course and then a chorus of "too many" with others answering "too soon!" Owen was as vocal, if not MORE vocal than everyone around us. People were high-fiving him left and right for his passion, and we'd only just recently discussed what a vaccine is. If he sees me passionate about something, he just leaps on with me -- how's that for super empathic? No self-consciousness there, total free expression, totally free passion! If some one shouted "too many!" Owen was shouting "too soon!" in response every time. I believe he motivated our little section of crowd quite a bit.
The Health and Human Services building, to which the crowd pointed their signs and shouted "shame on you". You could see people standing at the windows looking out at us. 10,000 had registered for the march, 4000 actually showed up. I guess that many people might make me look out the window, too. Despite their reticence at us, we hold their best intentions in our hearts, and believe they will do the right thing. Note the security guard outside, watching us.
First more or less clear shot of the Capitol Building:
The government's botanical gardens... how pretty:
Gosh, even the botanical gardens get federal police protection. lol! With Capitol Building --
Be neat if they felt that much reason to protect all our kids. Looking back at the crowd coming around the bend, in front of the HHS building:
Long line:
As far as Owen is concerned, the march was the best part of the whole day. They had boxes of water bottles, and they handed everybody bottles as we walked by. They kept reminding us to hydrate! Glad they did, we both needed it. It felt like 110 out there and the sun was blazing down. We immediately found a shady spot for Owen to lie down on the grass, drink his water and play Zelda. After a bit of organizing and crowd control, the rally began to assemble...
~~Mim
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