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CHICAGO PROTEST FIZZLES

CHICAGO - March 20, 2008 - What a difference a day makes. Last night's antiwar rally and march in Chicago saw a strong turnout. There was a rally this evening, too. Yesterday, people were saying that tonight's rally (without a march) would be "even bigger" today.

It wasn't. Not even close. Perhaps 200 people gathered at N. Dearborn and W. Monroe at 5:00 p.m. By 6:30 p.m., however, about half of the crowd had left.

The photo at top was taken at 6:23 p.m. Even the media presence was remarkably less tonight than it was last night.

It was chillier than last night, and I had no intention of hanging around any longer. Most of the anti-war gnomes felt the same way.

Apparently, a demonstration is only worth it if it's a festive atmosphere. No point in being uncomfortable while you battle torture and evil colonialism if you can't get yer party on, right?