March to Defeat the Mandates: Report & Analysis
We are now "official" in the eyes of millions watching.
February 9, 2022
The March to Defeat the Mandates on January 23 in Washington achieved several critical results, including more than 3,525 clips. Outlined below are highlights and takeaways.
We helped bury the ghost of January 6
The insurrection/extremism messaging and talking points used ad nauseam to frame what we were doing as dangerous was roundly crushed. While several "extremism beat" reporters covered the event, many of them were left confused - such as Will Carless of USA Today. When we saw their coverage of the March early about 1/2 way through the speakers, we were elated.
Having spent a significant time with him the night before the March, we eventually came to a bit of an understanding - that the March wasn't put on by "extremists", but that some extremists may try to take advantage.
We made a significant dent in how mainstream media covers us
While some had been initially skeptical of naming our effort "The March to Defeat the Mandates", it became clearer throughout the day just how critical that name is, since our opponents were looking for any way possible to misrepresent us and twist language. They had a tough time with "Defeat the Mandates" in our name.
Significant Press Attention
For an issue that has been largely ignored, lied about, and suppressed by mainstream journalists, we broke through and absolutely helped to start a change in the dominant narrative.
Media Highlights
ABC's Good Morning America covered the morning of the March nationwide. That morning of coverage, framed as “anti-mandate“ rather than “anti-vax“, was critical for framing the day's coverage. The following morning, on the 24th, we were covered nationwide by NBC's Today Show.
The March to Defeat the Mandates was treated as a joke by Jimmy Kimmel…
Two Stories
Two stories of note are Dan Cohen's 20-minute segment for Mint Press News and an amazing sit-down video interview with Brianna Dressen, Maddie de Garay, and Maddie’s mother Stephanie - the first interview ever to which Maddie has consented.
As of today, the March to Defeat the Mandates has generated 3,073 mentions in the media (online, TV, radio). More press continues to roll in.
Highlights include the fact that not only were we on national TV and news shows, but we were also on local TV in more than 150 local towns and cities across the country. This is critical because most voters get their news locally.
A huge shout-out to the FLCCC, the CHDF, and Cat and Kristin and her family who came down from New York to help. And of course a big thanks to Ellen, Jill, David, Angela, Angie, Jill, Amanda, Matt, and Louisa for all their help. If I forgot anyone, I apologize.
We have serious momentum now - we are now "official" in the eyes of millions watching.
-SP