Sergey Varlashkin, dressed as a "Chilean miner" at the Oct. 30 Stewart/Colbert rally, photographs Michael Dabrowski in the crush on the National Mall.
Andrew Councill-Aurora
Students dressed as Chilean miners exit the Metro on the way to the rally.
Andrew Councill-Aurora
Danil Rudoy, Anna Rozenberg, Mike Dabrowski and Sergey Varlashkin walk toward the rally.
Andrew Councill-Aurora
Oct. 30, 2010
Colbert, left, and Stewart -- in dueling patriotic jackets -- get the crowd hyped.
Michael S. Williamson-The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
The rally stage featured a variety of musicians, as well as the Comedy Central figures, who handed out reasonableness and "fear-y" awards.
Win McNamee-Getty Images
Oct. 30, 2010
Debbie Colby of Herndon chose a hat decorated with tea bags as her rally fashion statement.
Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Colbert mediates as Ozzy Osbourne, left, and Yusuf Islam play their divergent styles of music. "Peace Train" rivaled "Crazy Train."
Win McNamee-Getty Images
Oct. 30, 2010
"Everybody has the right to be patriotic," Stewart said.
Michael S. Williamson-The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Kristen Hedges holds a mirror for Joan Stabler as she finishes her makeup before the rally.
Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Tim Lund and Ashton Taylor, both of Alexandria, record their kiss during the rally. Patty Ross, center, of Ellicott City is willing to give peace a chance.
Michael S. Williamson-The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Nzali Mwanza-Shannon, 10 months, is held by family friend Albert Williams. The D.C. residents illustrate the rally's appeal to people of all ages.
Michael S. Williamson-The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
A dragon float makes its way along Pennsylvania Avenue near the rally.
Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Colbert and Stewart staged a debate.
Saul Loeb-AFP/Getty Images
Oct. 30, 2010
People arrived for the rally on foot, by bike and, often, after a crowded ride on the Metrorail.
Michael Temchine for The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
At one point, Stewart jokingly estimated the crowd size at 10 million. Metro reported increased ridership compared with a typical Saturday.
Michael S. Williamson-The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
People dressed in the spirit of the rally.
Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
The eclectic guests at the rally included, from left, Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, Sheryl Crow, Father Guido Sarducci, Yusuf Islam and Mavis Staples.
Chip Somodevilla-Getty Images
Oct. 30, 2010
People without prime positions on the Mall stand outside the VIP tent, hoping to listen in on the audio feed.
Michael S. Williamson-The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
David Rapalski wears a horse head to the rally. He was protesting Boise State's Broncos not being in the college football championship series.
Michael S. Williamson-The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Tom Martin of Germantown was among attendees with an elaborate get-up.
Michael S. Williamson-The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Metro stations around the area were swamped with a high volume of travelers. The wait to buy a fare card was lengthy at Greenbelt.
Mark Gail-The Washington Post
Countless limousines arrive to drop off VIP behind the stage where 'Daily Show' host Jon Stewart and 'The Colbert Report' host Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central hold a rally at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Astrid Riecken-For The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
A battalion of people in costume lead the way for a 70-foot-long dragon associated with the Burning Man festival. The dragon was among the most unusual modes of transport to the rally.
Dan Zak-The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Comedian Stephen Colbert emerges from under the stage in front of fellow rally host Jon Stewart, left, during their "Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear" on the Mall.
Jim Bourg-Reuters
Oct. 30, 2010
John Legend is backed by the Roots in one of many musical performances at the rally.
Win Mcnamee-Getty Images
Oct. 30, 2010
Thousands throng to the "Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear" on the Mall.
Michael Temchine for The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Michelle McAuliffe of the District was among the thousands of rally-goers.
Michael S. Williamson-The Washington Post
Pearce and Danielle Wroe, both 26, of Laurel and Angela Johnson, right, 26, of Baltimore sit on the steps of the National Gallery of Art.
Michael Temchine for The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Rally-goers board a train at Metro Center.
Susan Biddle for The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Big crowds wait to board trains at Metro Center. Some who headed to the Mall were thwarted by transportation delays. At times, trains could not accommodate new passengers at stops closer to downtown. Also, stations in Maryland and Virginia had long lines that defied usual weekend patterns.
Susan Biddle for The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Colbert, left, and Stewart perform on a stage in front of the Capitol.
Win Mcnamee-Getty Images
Oct. 30, 2010
"Crazy Train" vs. "Peace Train": Musicians Ozzy Osborne, left, and Yusuf (formerly known as Cat Stevens) performed at the rally.
Win Mcnamee-Getty Images
Oct. 30, 2010
Attendees gather behind the stage at the "Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear."
Jonathan Ernst-Reuters
Oct. 30, 2010
The rally combined comedy, politics -- and a little bit of Halloween.
Michael Temchine for The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
The rally was hosted by two comedians, but many attendees used it to voice their serious concerns.
Michael Temchine for The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Attendees gather on the Mall for the rally hosted by "Daily Show" host Jon Stewart and "Colbert Report" host Stephen Colbert.
Astrid Riecken-For The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Attendees on the Mall await the start of the "Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear."
Michael S. Williamson-The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Andy Geremia and Scott Petersen came to the rally with Halloween in mind, giving a nod the "Fear" portion of the event.
Michael Temchine-For The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
The rally stage, set up on the Mall in front of the U.S. Capitol.
Astrid Riecken-For The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Ralliers on the Mall show their colors with signs: "Team Sanity" or "Team Fear."
Astrid Riecken-For The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Marcus Trevisani of New York City came to the rally dressed as his version of the Mad Hatter.
Michael S. Williamson-The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Jim Rother, left, 60, of Cincinnati and Paul Fouchia, 60, of Milwaukee came to the rally dressed as the Blues Brothers.
Michael Temchine for The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Colbert encouraged his fans to dress as their favorite fear, but some people opted for a more patriotic route.
Chip Somodevilla-Getty Images
Oct. 30, 2010
These signs show Colbert and Stewart as Uncle Sam.
Chip Somodevilla-Getty Images
Oct. 30, 2010
The throngs disembark en masse from the Metro on the way to the rally.
Michael Temchine for The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Signs range from earnest to irreverent.
Win Mcnamee-Getty Images
Oct. 30, 2010
The hosts, who started by promoting separate events, have merged their overlapping fan bases behind one theme.
Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Signs and costumes were encouraged for attendees.
Win McNamee-Getty Images
Oct. 30, 2010
Young men on the Mall mock fears about immigration, saying, "If you think this is funny then you won't be laughing when we take your jobs!"
Chip Somodevilla-Getty Images
Oct. 30, 2010
Robert Lindsay is decked out as a spy.
Michael Temchine for The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Lynn Fowle came to the rally dressed as a witch with tea bags hanging from her veil.
Michael Temchine for The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
A common theme: poking fun at people who question President Obama's nationality.
Brendan Smialowski-AFP/Getty Images
Oct. 30, 2010
Commemorative buttons are for sale during the rally.
Chip Somodevilla-Getty Images
Oct. 30, 2010
People gather on the Mall hours before the scheduled start of the rally, which is to feature performances by musicians including Sheryl Crow.
Michael Temchine for The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Stewart encouraged his fans to "take it down a notch."
Win McNamee-Getty Images
Oct. 30, 2010
Steven Meyer works his way through the rally crowd with the help of Jessica Briatico.
Michael Temchine for The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
Signs played off the rhetoric of recent rallies staged by conservatives.
Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post
Oct. 30, 2010
One person came dressed as Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell, who said in 1999: "I dabbled into witchcraft."
Chip Somodevilla-Getty Images
Oct. 30, 2010
Stewart had offered fans suggestions for sign slogans, and many people came up with their own.
Win McNamee-Getty Images
Oct. 30, 2010
Costumes run the gamut, including the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Chip Somodevilla-Getty Images
Oct. 30, 2010
People arrive early to stake out spots on the Mall.
Win McNamee-Getty Images
Oct. 30, 2010
Colbert is pictured in the image associated with Rosie the Riveter.
Chip Somodevilla-Getty Images
Oct. 27, 2010
Workers set up stands on the Mall for Saturday's "Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear."
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
Oct. 27, 2010
There's been a run on portable toilets for events being held in the D.C. area this weekend. The Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert rally, sponsored by Comedy Central, is competing with the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday. Stewart and his entourage, though, won't have to stand in line with everyday folks: They're said to be getting their own "luxury" restroom trailer.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
Oct. 27, 2010
Workers use a crane to set up electronics towers for the rally.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
Oct. 27, 2010
Workers rush to finish their work before more rain sets in. The rally which will take place between noon and 3 p.m. on the far eastern end of the Mall.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
Oct. 27, 2010
While preparations continue for the rally, Jon Stewart has been in town taping his Comedy Central show.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
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