Rally to Restore Sanity Chicago is Gearing Up

Comedians Jon Stewart of The Daily Show and Stephen Colbert of The Colbert Report are planning events for October 30, 2010 in Washington D.C. Jon Stewart will lead the Rally To Restore Sanity, while Stephen Colbert heads the March to Keep Fear Alive. The events are designed to demonstrate against political extremism on both the right and the left. As seen on The Rally to Restore Sanity website, "We're looking for the people who think shouting is annoying, counterproductive, and terrible for your throat; who feel that the loudest voices shouldn't be the only ones that get heard; and who believe that the only time it's appropriate to draw a Hitler mustache on someone is when that person is actually Hitler. Or Charlie Chaplin in certain roles."

If you are a Chicago resident, and you're unable to attend the Washington events, or you would just rather stay close to home, there is a Rally to Restore Sanity Chicago to be held on Saturday, October 30, 2010 in Chicago's Grant Park from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The head of the Rally To Restore Sanity Chicago is Angela McMahon. I caught up with Angela to ask her about this important Chicago event:

Jolie du Pre: Both Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are planning events on October 30, 2010 - Rally to Restore Sanity/ March to Keep Fear Alive. Conservative Glenn Beck's Restoring Honor rally was recently held in Washington D.C. Do you believe the Stewart/Colbert efforts will get as much attention and attract as many people as Beck's effort?

Angela McMahon: I think it will attract more attention, especially with support rallies in several cities. If the Chicago rally effort is going as well as other cities, the movement will look to have approximately 5000 folks per city attending in 20 different cities. Not to mention close to 100,000 attending the D.C. event.

Jolie du Pre: Why are you holding a Chicago Grant Park rally in conjunction with the Washington events?

Angela McMahon: So many people have said how they wish they could go to D.C. but couldn't pick up and go due to kids, family, jobs, money. They wanted to be a part of this movement. They are grateful to have a platform in their own backyard. I am one of those people who can't pick up and go. Right before I started the Chicago movement, I assumed someone else would have and started to look for a meet up site. No one had as of the Saturday after the Stewart/Colbert announcement. So, I thought I would. I produce theater in Chicago and am used to organizing events.

Jolie du Pre: What are your hopes for the Rally to Restore Sanity Chicago?

Angela McMahon: That the city will work with us on the event, that is my first hope. That it will be a fun event that is filled with laughter and love (unlike other rallies that seem to be coming from a place of hate) but that a single message will also be heard; We are not a silent minority, we are the majority and we don't like the way the loud voices have been chatting the peoples' needs.

Jolie du Pre: Besides the Rally to Restore Sanity Chicago, what else are you up to?

Angela McMahon: I am the Executive Producer and Founder of Chemically Imbalanced Comedy, a not for profit theater located in the heart of Chicago's Wrigleyville neighborhood. I am also the former Network Committee Chairman for the Chicago Comedy Association, where I worked with over 60 different comedy theaters in Chicago including Comedy Sportz, Second City, Annoyance, IO, and many many others. It was a producers organization that came together to share ideas and resources for the Comedy Theatrical Community. I am also a mom of a wonderful 6-year-old first grader who attends a CPS school and I have a little girl on the way (she will be with us in January). I perform at the IO Theater (formerly ImprovOlympic) as well as doing improvisation and directing projects around town with various theaters.

Jolie du Pre: Do you believe Obama has a chance in 2012 given the increased popularity of the Tea Party movement and other conservative efforts?

Angela McMahon: My opinion is ABSOF***INGLUTLY! Again, they are not the majority of the country; they are just the loudest voice in the room.

Sources:

Rally To Restore Sanity Chicago

Rally to Restore Sanity

March to Keep Fear Alive