Crowd size of the $46 million Washington parade was smaller than expected and unfolded against a backdrop of protests and political violence

A $46 million parade, the first in Washington DC in more than 30 years, unfolded against a backdrop of protests and political violence

Washington DC was locked down and the capital’s airspace closed to flights as 6,500 troops marched down Constitution Avenue and helicopters flew overhead, fulfilling a long-standing ambition of Trump to stage a military parade — the first held in the American capital in more than 30 years.

Organisers for Saturday’s parade said they were expecting “hundreds of thousands” to attend but images of empty seats in stands along the parade route suggested turnout may not have been as high as hoped. It is possible the poor weather kept many at home.

The celebrations came just hours after a Democratic politician and her husband were shot dead in their Minnesota home by a man believed to be impersonating a police officer. Threats against other politicians in Texas were made on a day of widespread unrest and protests against the Trump administration, timed to coincide with Saturday’s $46 million event.

  • Bob Robertson IX @discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
    0·
    23 days ago

    It is possible the poor weather kept many at home.

    Right. Because I’m going to buy a ticket to DC, rent a hotel room, tell my friends I’m going… and then not go because it’s raining.

    • grue@lemmy.world
      0·
      23 days ago

      Meanwhile, millions of people showed up to protests in DC and other places with equally rainy forecasts. But sure, news, blame the weather instead of the fascism.

      • jj4211@lemmy.world
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        23 days ago

        To be fair, that article was overall pretty plainly stating that the protests were overwhelmingly more well attended. Yes they had one line that raised the possibility of weather as a factor, but I think anyone but Trump could see the facts as presented in the story telling the real story.

        Also went out of their way to characterize the protests as peaceful and the only politicians under violent threat were Democrats, despite the magnitude of protests.

    • nthavoc@lemmy.todayEnglish
      0·
      22 days ago

      “Billions and billions of people in total awe of my amazing parade, one like no one has EVER seen before because I only do the best and nobody understands the military like I do. Some say I’m be the best commander-in-chief in the HISTORY of the world! The ratings were through the roof, not like sleepy Joe’s “no kings” parade who stole the 2020 election with all those billions and billions of cheating ballots and their russia russia russia conspiracy while nobody is doing anything about the immigrants eating all your cats and dogs. You know a lot of people say that my parade was the best parade out of the billions and billions of parades ever …” - the Donvict probably.

      • drhodl@lemmy.world
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        22 days ago

        Too many punctuation marks, and too coherent to be authentic Diaper dribble, but I applaud your dedication!

    • CharlesDarwin@lemmy.worldEnglish
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      22 days ago

      Don’t forget about how these fictional characters saying “sir” were big strong manly men with tears in their eyes.

    • Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.works
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      22 days ago

      Yeah, how the fuck is the guy who dodged the draft for “bone spurs” trying to pretend he’s all about our military?

      The hand-selected troops he had in the backdrop of his speech the other day hooting and hollering was insane. Like, do they not realize he is using them as props, and that he’d send them into danger for no other reason than his fragile pride? They are nothing to him. This guy is literal, real-life Farquaad.

      Lord Farquaad quote about sending people to die

  • phantomwise@lemmy.mlEnglish
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    22 days ago

    Yeah I’m sure it was the weather. It feels like fascism’s about to rain. Anyone’s got an umbrella?

  • altphoto@lemmy.today
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    22 days ago

    I hope someone took a photo. $46million is a lot of our tax payer money to go to waste like that.

  • leadore@lemmy.world
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    22 days ago

    God, wouldn’t that have been the perfect moment to turn all those tanks to point at the goldfish and minions in their glass bowl and quickly put an end to this mess? (yes I know it would start a new mess but still).

  • selkiesidhe@lemm.ee
    0·
    22 days ago

    “About time we celebrated???” Wtf

    Do the military want a parade for themselves? I bet they sure as fuck don’t. This was all about you and your ego, fat-stain. Get bent.

  • CircaV@lemmy.caEnglish
    0·
    22 days ago

    We can no longer agree on reality so MAGA maggots are probably saying this was the biggest best most successful parade ever and worth every penny…… So what if No Kings had a lot of people - Trunps gonna continue Trumping tomorrow and Americans aren’t stopping him.

  • HugeNerd@lemmy.ca
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    22 days ago

    It’s just an open air catalog for Bibi to pick from. “Donald, I want that thing, two of the 6 wheel things, gimme a couple of the pointy cylinders with fins, and keep it coming!”

    Meanwhile, Zelensky is furious at getting a busy signal when he calls Donald.