A Manifestation
I didn't really know what to expect after reading about the planned rally, but I wanted to go (I had visions of great photojournalist shots in my head). I knew I was going to remain neutral, but I have seen where neutral people have wandered into the crossfire of events that have gotten out of hand. Though I was a bit nervous, this one looked pretty tame as I walked up to the small gathering. A group leader saw me with my camera ready for action and he approached me. He asked if I was with a media outlet and I told him that I wasn't. He explained that many protesters don't like their pictures taken out of a concern for potential retaliation. I nodded and turned to the group, asking in a loud voice if anyone had any issues with my picture taking. It was a unanimous "no." Half of the group had, by then, pulled masks or scarves up under their eyes anyway, so there was a little bit of comfort with my presence as I wandered in and out of the crowd taking shots. Most of them watched me carefully while I did it, though.
Provocation
By then my fingers were frozen, so I packed up the camera and headed towards the parking garage where I could warm up before heading home.
After posting this story, I received a correction from John F. regarding the "pro-Trump" rally that had been planned. John says:
"The pro trump event was organized by a number of individuals and coordinated across states. They created a Facebook event that called for protest at veterans park. A small amount of pro trump people came out but seemed to have been scared off by our rally, a lack of their own organization, and the rain. We did not mistake the veterans event for the pro trump event."
Thanks, John.