My reaction to the NYC demo was different. Of course there was a smaller turnout than a year ago, but not 'disproportionately' so (say half). Most importantly the composition was similar to last time (I watched the entire length of both marches closely). It was not just the Vietnam-era middle aged, middle class white people. There were healthy numbers of young people, and more diverse than I saw in the anti-globalization demos. There were lots of new immigrants, middle easterners but also latino and hatians. Overall, the march was more mainstream than I might have expected - illustrating an untapped vein of anger?
On the negative side were the lower proportions of African-Americans. Last year's march was only a bit better but there was a very respectably sized march in Harlem; it seemed that an opportunity is being missed. Likewise, last year there were an amazing number of small organized groups from individual workplaces, neighborhoods, schools, individual churches, clubs, etc. This year the vast, vast majority marched individually. And of course the large lack of white working class people that has been the unique hallmark of American politics since WWII.
One note. Many organized groups of students from NYC's own public colleges (CUNY) which is predominantly 'minority' - energetic and focused (practically no such organized groups from the private or even the State Universities). They seemed educated, clearly not co-opted and personally engaged - perhaps sensing that they are far less likely to make into the increasingly wider divide to the upper-middle class than would have been possible 15 years ago. In political style (and sociological background) they seemed a bit reminiscent of the cadre that form a core of Latin American left wing popularist groups.
Paul
Gene Coyle writes
At the San Francisco march last Saturday there were the now-familiar signs.
Noticable were the many Kucinich signs, plus big banners carried by Kucinich supporters.
The signs mentioning Kerry seemed to all carry an admonition for him to behave lest support not be forthcoming.
A nice sunny day, a mellow march.
The turnout was noticably smaller than the crowds of a year ago.
Gene Coyle