On Thursday night, Stewart announced on his Comedy Central TV show he will stage a rally at the National Mall in Washington on Oct. 30. The newly launched website for the Rally to Restore Sanity said “We’re looking for the people who think shouting is annoying, counterproductive, and terrible for your throat; who feel that the loudest voices shouldn’t be the only ones that get heard.”
Keeping with the cheeky tone of The Daily Show, the event details go on to say, “Join us in the shadow of the Washington Monument. And bring your indoor voice. Or don’t.”
Stewart’s Comedy Central counterpart, Stephen Colbert, will also hold a competing rally, but his is tinged with a more faux-Fox undertone. The website for the March to Keep Fear Alive states: “America, the Greatest Country God ever gave Man, was built on three bedrock principles: Freedom. Liberty. And Fear — that someone might take our Freedom and Liberty. But now, there are dark, optimistic forces trying to take away our Fear.” The website info ends with: “Pack an overnight bag with five extra sets of underwear — you’re going to need them. Because, to Restore Truthiness we must always… Shh!!! What’s that sound?! I think there’s someone behind you! Run!”
The Facebook Events invites are already accumulating thousands of prospective attendees. By midnight, two hours after the hosts made their announcements, Stewart’s “yes” list was at 6,100 and Colbert’s reached 2,900.
On his show, Stewart suggested a few ideas for protest signs. He said participants can bring placards with “I disagree with you, but I’m pretty sure you’re not Hitler,” “Got competence?” and “I’m not afraid of Muslims, Tea Partiers, socialists, immigrants gun owners or gays, but I am kind of scared of spiders.”
These mass marches mimic a far-right protest in Washington several weeks ago, when Fox News host Glenn Beck held his Restoring Honor rally at the Lincoln Memorial.
