Have you ever attended or would you attend a political rally?

Not sure what counts as a “political rally”, but…1992 March for Women’s Lives in DC, demonstrations in Boston (multiple) on eve of US invasion of Iraq, lots of small “political” and community organizing events.

Not really but I would if I really believed in the cause. Right now I’m a political non-participant.

In the 60s and 70s, sure, lots. These days, not so much.

I slept on the concrete for three weeks at Zuccotti Park during the Occupy protests, that’s about as close as I’ve gotten to a rally. I was quite disappointed to find that most of the people there weren’t entirely clear on why they were there. I said “get money out of politics” to a few people, and they were like, “But the government needs money to stay operational.” Oy

I don’t think I’d go to a political rally. There is only one useful political activity to be involved in these days, and that is building bridges between left and right. That means, go talk to the people most amenable to unity and compromise, on both sides. As far as I can tell, the people who go to political rallies think in terms of “winning” and “losing” a zero-sum game, and they think the idea of working with the other side is preposterously naive.

I’m used to getting into trouble with people on both sides of the chasm. But to put myself into a situation where bodily harm might result, well, I’m too old for that now.

Peace and luck

I’ve been to a few local more private rally’s, skipped Trumps public rally though. I think it’s nice to meet the candidates, hear them speak, get a pic, etc…it’s an interesting experience to get to know them outside of camera’s and formal interviews. Gives you a better sense of the person imo.

The whole time I was at Zuccotti Park, I observed the protesters making themselves a total nuisance. Marches up and down Wall Street were incredibly loud and disruptive. I looked around at the people just trying to get to work, with us gumming up the sidewalks, and I thought, this is not having the effect we want it to have.

So I went to a couple of meetings and suggested that we have a silent march, which would get us a much better kind of attention than we were getting, and perhaps people would think about the issue of money in politics, rather than the issue of a bunch of smelly rabble-rousers ruining everyone’s morning commute.

I wasn’t popular at the meetings. I’m used to it. Americans just don’t seem to be very interested in the idea of getting along, seeking common ground, working together, etc. So I made a bunch of signs, and I did my own silent march. The cops got used to me, passing by every 15 minutes or so. One of them was even friendly, and indicated that he had been reading.

One at a time, I guess. Peace

My son, who had never been registered to vote until Bernie showed up last election, invited me to a Democratic rally for Bernie. Rick and I went, along with my son’s whole family, including the kids. I was really pleased that they got them involved.
When all was said and done, though, and Bernie lost the nomination, they didn’t bother to vote.
I pray they get involved this year.

I have been to a couple. I attended protests in the late sixties/early seventies. I attended a John Edwards “meeting” that didn’t quite merit being called a rally. and I went to an Obama rally in Oakland in the spring of 2008, but he was late and I had to leave to pick up my kids.

@zenvelo Wow, that’s a name from the past. I kind of liked the guy, very handsome I thought at the time.

In my youth. Roughly the mid-1970s when I was in college.

Not since. Too cynical.

I attended a campaign stop/rally/whateveryouwanttocallit for Clinton in 1996. I swore to never attend another one again.

Yes. I’ve been to two Bernie Sanders rallies. They were very energetic and full of people of all ages and races. I’m now on a call list to volunteer when he is in my neck of the woods.

@Stache Interesting, finally we hear someone you admire! :)

I’ve been to several local protest rallies since 2017; not rallies for a specific candidate.

I’ve been to three. One in 1970 against the Vietnam War and the rest have been protests at Trump’s visits to the UK.

Thanks @flutherother.

Imagine you are in HR, and want to decide which applicant to hire.
Would you go to a rally of one of those, watching him/her lying his arse off trying to convince you to pick him?

I went to Bernie’s rally in 2016. Fantastic experience

I went to a Sanders rally in 2016, and despite it taking all day to get in, I was really glad I had. He’s definitely the most compelling politician I’ve ever heard, and seeing him in person rather than as edited for TV, was a great experience that gave me a lot of hope.

The DNC should embrace and celebrate him, not try to bury him (as they’re trying to again now).

@ragingloli Thats what I think every time. They all lie to get elected imo.

Not for specific politicians. I’ve attended rallies for causes, like for New York State’s Constitutional Convention, or pro-abortion, or for workers to get paid sick leave. I’ve also stood on many picket lines as I work for a union and so it’s part of my job to support other unions.