Large Crowds Arrive For ‘Save America March’
Thousands of Trump supporters have gathered in D.C. today for a planned “Save America” rally, which the National Park Service estimated could attract 30,000 people. In a few minutes, Trump is scheduled to address the crowds, which have been gathering at the Ellipse, just off Lafayette Square since early this morning. This rally has attracted a broad variety of supporters, including far-right groups such as the Proud Boys. The event is part protest, over what Trump and many of his base falsely believe was a stolen election, and part demonstration to apply pressure to Congress as it meets to certify the election results. For weeks, Trump has been suggesting that Pence might be able to do … something … to stop the votes from being certified, a claim that is inaccurate aside from allowing anticipated debates to take place. Many attendees are also anticipating some kind of reveal during today’s vote that will turn the tide in their favor. Posts on the forum The Donald — which emerged after Reddit banned a subreddit of the same name — make statements such as “time to melt some deep state faces” and “if nothing happens today, it’s over. So make something happen.”
And not least of all, this gathering is a moment of catharsis for many frustrated Americans who are unhappy with the election results, angry about the pandemic, and frightened for the future. This rally gives them the opportunity to gather in person with a like-minded community, but the anger and aggression was evident in live-streamed videos of the gathering last night, and multiple arrests were made, making the prospect of violence a very real concern as the results from the election — as well as the Georgia runoff results — become clear.