1970 05 09 Anti-war demonstration (selections)

Photographs by Tim Brown.
Ever get the feeling that demonstrations these days on the Mall in Washington DC - be they Rolling Thunder or Glen Beck's or Jon Stewart's - are just too gosh darn polite??? Here are snaps I made at the big anti-war rally on May 9, 1970 when people shunned violence, obedience, and sometimes their clothing to make their point about the war.

Marching to the rally in the middle of what was for some an ordinary business day. Anti-war demonstration, Washington DC, May 9, 1970.
Dr. Benjamin Spock taught our mothers how to raise their babies, and later taught the babies how to protest. Anti-war demonstration, Washington DC, May 9, 1970.
Filmmaker. Anti-war demonstration, Washington DC, May 9, 1970.
Filmmaker up close. Anti-war demonstration, Washington DC, May 9, 1970.
Remember Kent! Anti-war demonstration, Washington DC, May 9, 1970.
Me too. Anti-war demonstration, Washington DC, May 9, 1970.
Reflecting pool had plenty of odd ducks that day. Anti-war demonstration, Washington DC, May 9, 1970.
War protest was never so much fun! Anti-war demonstration, Washington DC, May 9, 1970.
This fountain is long-gone, replaced on the same site by WWII Memorial. Can you imagine frolicking in the water there? Anti-war demonstration, Washington DC, May 9, 1970.
I remember this guy had a mantra: "If you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem." Which one was he? Anti-war demonstration, Washington DC, May 9, 1970.
Yep, that is a banana peel on his head. Anti-war demonstration, Washington DC, May 9, 1970.
Sign of the times. Anti-war demonstration, Washington DC, May 9, 1970.
Kazoo band. Anti-war demonstration, Washington DC, May 9, 1970.
The kazoo band was on the U.S. Army's 2nd Division memorial. At the 2010 Rolling Thunder rally the monumentl was reverently strewn with flowers. Anti-war demonstration, Washington DC, May 9, 1970.
Kazoo Band. Anti-war demonstration, Washington DC, May 9, 1970.
Tim Leary of course taught us to "turn on, tune in, and drop out." Many years later he dropped dead. Anti-war demonstration, Washington DC, May 9, 1970.
Petition for peace. Anti-war demonstration, Washington DC, May 9, 1970.
Sunshade. Anti-war demonstration, Washington DC, May 9, 1970.