Washington DC 'Defeat the Mandates' march calls for end to 'draconian' COVID-19 vaccine requirements

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The "Defeat the Mandates" march took to the streets and monuments of Washington, D.C., as protestors and speakers called for an end to COVID-19 vaccine mandates nationwide. 

A number of major U.S. cities including D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Boston have implemented citywide rules requiring residents to show proof of vaccination at certain establishments, such as restaurants and gyms.

The peaceful protest started around noon at the Washington Monument and headed first to the Lincoln Memorial, where it remained while a series of speakers took to the steps to share their experiences of the past year and their reasons to call for an end to the vaccine mandates. 

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Between 30,000 and 35,000 people attended the protest, demanding an end to vaccine mandates and passports and a call for reasonable debate and the power of informed consent. 

"You're going to hear a lot of people talk about on the left say this is a big, anti-vax rally — it's people coming in to deny science," march organizer Will Witt, an author and political commentator for nonprofit PragerU, told Fox News Digital last week. 

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"But this march is about the mandate, and this march is about the Draconian measures that we're seeing all across this country right now, especially in places like D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco."

Several groups sponsored the event, including the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance, World Council for Health, Vaccine Safety Research Foundation, and Children’s Health Defense – headed by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Speakers included Dr. Robert Malone, inventor of mRNA technology used in COVID vaccines, Dr. Peter McCullough, Dr. Christina Parks, Dr. Paul Alexander, and Stephanie De Garay, mother of Maddie De Garay. 

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The rally ended around 3:30 p.m. 

This is a developing story. Check back for more updates. 

Fox News' Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.