On the way to the march, I ran into these children, posed on the corner of L & 15th. Their signs convey the message of "women's rights," certainly a "soft sell" approach, but I couldn't help but feel that twinge of discomfort that I get whenever I see children carefully posed for political purposes. More of this later.

On the way to the march, some Protest Warrior affiliates were out and about in an attempt to make a point about the war on terror. Protest Warrior has no official position on abortion, but these guys wanted to offer a counter to the virulent Bush-hatred that marks most of the pro-choice movement.

Unfortunately, the admittedly off-topic and somewhat confusing message was lost on most of the pro-choice marchers, who either ignored them, looked bewildered or just pointed and giggled.

"President Bush: Please Don't Touch the Vagina."

This was a common theme. By the end of the day, I was going to get more than my fill of "tee-hee I'm naughty, yet clever" slogans and catchphrases.

Here I ran into the first group of pro-life protestors at Constitution Avenue on the cusp of the National Mall. They were largely affiliated with church groups, and I couldn't help but notice that the youngsters had appropriated a bit of the punk rock/Che Guevera "protestor chic" commonly associated with "progressives." I gather that Jesus is down with the kids these days. Notice the dissonant, awkward appeal to the assumed "vegan/vegetarian" sensibilities of the pro-choicers.

The first heated emotions of the day.

The pro-choice woman on the right engaged the woman on the left in calm tones (I could not distinguish what she was saying), and the woman on the left quickly became very animated, shouting about the annual massacre of thousands of babies. Eventually, the woman on the right disengaged and walked away. I doubt that she changed her mind about anything ... except perhaps the wisdom of debating with extreme activists.

Upon encountering the pro-life counter-protestors, the look on these pro-choice marchers' faces was typical; I read it as slightly uncomfortable bemusement. For some reason, almost no emotions on either "side" that I witnessed during the course of the day seemed quite ... "right."

This woman later gave a tearful speech about how she had been traumatized by an abortion that took place in her youth.

The "hard sell" rhetoric amplified by a bullhorn. Common themes:

* Abortion is murder.

* Religion forbids abortion.

* Abortion is harmful to the health of women.

* Abortion denies the choice of the child.

The "hard sellers" display the graphic signs depicting the effects of late term abortions.

Pro-choice, pro-life - Bush still can't get a break. These attempts to appeal to "progressive" positions assumed to be held by "the other side" seemed pointless and awkward to me. It's doubtful that a pro-choice advocate that you call a "murderer" is going to re-evaluate their position on abortion based on other common ground, even if they happen to belong to Peta, ANSWER and the NAACP.

This group of pro-lifers eventually gathered and kneeled in the middle of the intersection. Notice the Spanish signs and the bandanas, typically the flair of romanticized anarchists and revolutionaries.

The cops immediately formed a protective line between the pro-lifers and the marchers passing by on their way to the Mall.

I would not mess with this man ...

The pro-lifers organize ...

... and drop "dead" ...

... while others outline them in chalk ...

... and scrawl messages on the street.

The police issue their first dispersal warning to the illegally assembled protesters. The pro-life organizer checked his watch and then advised his group that this was only the "first warning" and that they had 15 minutes until the second admonition.

Now this is how you fake death, while somehow ...

"Ohmigawd, Becky, I am SO dead!"

... cellphone use dilutes the impact.

This gentleman seemed very intent.

Patriarchal symbol of oppression?

Eventually I left the pro-choice protestors in order to join the rally on the National Mall, largely held in between the Washington Monument and the Capitol.

As I got close, it became apparent that this wasn't going to be 30 Communists ranting across from the White House, or an intermediate gathering of moonbats in a park; this was a huge, mainstream issue.

At the top of the rally, individuals gathered to head the scheduled march.

Some "honored guests."

I failed to catch any of the celebrity marchers that were highlighted in the news.

An elderly participant.

Here I stumbled across a very narrow special interest group.

A common sentiment.

I engaged these two gentleman in conversation, asking them why they focused on the anti-Bush rhetoric (previous pic). They responded with a recitation of a litany of things that they felt were wrong with the Bush administration, largely issues unrelated to abortion. I then told them that I'll be voting for Bush in November, but that I am also pro-choice, and that I have issues with the broader anti-Bush focus voiced by many of those that I may agree with on abortion. The individual on the right responded that protestors often view gatherings of such magnitude as an opportunity to give voice to other issues that have less organization and public traction. I was surprised by the fact that he quite lucidly and rationally admitted this sentiment.

These protestors equating queer rights with abortion rights were blocking some of the more graphic pro-life signs. I asked these ladies a few questions:

Me: "Hey, mind if I ask you something? Now I'm not breaking your chops here, but I'm genuinely curious as to how "reproductive rights" are "queer rights," given the non-procreative nature of gay sex. Can you explain it to me?"

Lesbian-gal #1: Well, you see, it's ... like ... it's ... (calls to her friend) ... hey can you answer this guy's question as to why reproductive rights are queer rights?"

Lesbian-gal #2: "Oh, ok ... well the rights of women to have an abortion and the rights of gays and minorities are the same because we are all oppressed peoples ... as a lesbian woman, my struggle is their struggle."

Me: "Oh ... so, and I'm just legitimately asking here, you have common ground because all women, minorities and gays are oppressed? Out of curiosity, can straight white men ever be oppressed?"

Lesbian-gal #2: "Sure ... sure they can be ..."

Me: "They're just not chronically oppressed, oppressed by nature ... ok, I get it. Now another question: why are you blocking this guy's sign?"

Lesbian-gal #2: "Because it's sick. It's gross."

Me: "Definitely, yeah, but that's his view. I mean, that's what he's trying to make you consider."

Lesbian-gal #2: " Well, we don't carry around pictures of abortion providers that were murdered by pro-life people."

Me: "Ok, point taken. Thanks for answering my questions."

A few minutes later, the blockers left and the sign was unveiled. I'm not certain about the effectiveness of the extreme imagery. It makes a strong case against late-term abortion, but that impact seems dwarfed by the fact that the graphic image largely alienates people from really considering the message. It's difficult for me to look at; most of the marchers seemed to immediately block it out and ignore it after being repulsed.

I left the front of the march gathering point, and headed over to the main rally grounds on the Mall ...

In tomorrow's installment, I'll wade into the crowd and take the pulse of the pro-choice movement, as well as observe some of the more extreme emotions voiced by march participants.

Part Two can be found here.

UPDATE: Brought to top ...

UPDATE: I know that it's not Monday, but this one's for OTB Beltway Traffic Jam.