Someone could do a big public service by bringing turnstiles to protest marches.
There seems no way to resolve controversies over crowd numbers. Protest organizers always say they have more people than police or reporters or opponents say they have.
But you would think that counting a few dozen people would not be so controversial. A Feb. 17 march by the NAACP in Lake City over the Confederate battle flag in the city’s logo produced disagreements over the size of the protesting group.
The Gainesville Sun’s story said there were about 30.
The Lake City Reporter’s story said there were about 40.
The Times-Union said there were about 70 protesters and at least 100 opposing them.
John W. Adams, Florida division commander, Sons of Confederate Veterans, said there were more like 24 protesters and about 250 people opposing them. The difference was so great that Adams said the Times-Union “intentionally inflated the numbers to appear more even.”
He suggested I call the Lake City police for an official number. I did and was told their number was closer to 30. They offered no number for the counter-protesters.
How about the NAACP? Surely, it is the best source for its own members. Glenel Bowden, president of the Columbia County NAACP, said there were about 75 to 80. He explained the different numbers by saying not all the NAACP supporters were gathered in front of the viewing stand. Some were dispersed throughout the crowd.
Times-Union staff writer Alliniece Andino arrived at her number this way: “It was based on what I saw and inferred from Bowden who pointed out supporters in other viewing areas. I don’t disagree that there may have been about 200 or more Confederate flag supporters. It was difficult to get a perfect count because people filed into areas behind flag wavers and protesters, so it’s hard to say who was solely a parade spectator and who should be included in the group.”
My conclusions: In a story in which a crowd estimate is a key factor, pains should be taken to explain the source of the numbers. Ideally, reporters should explain how they arrived at their estimates and offer readers official estimates and those from organizers and other credible sources.
Scottish Games coverage lacking
Susan Page of Orange Park objected to the lack of coverage of the Scottish Highland Games. They were held Feb. 24 at the University of North Florida.
“These games, which began only a few years ago after many years’ hiatus, have grown from very small to quite large. The visitors come from all over the country — even from Scotland — and contribute to our local economy significantly. I am always disappointed in the T-U’s lack of coverage for the games. Last year, it featured a small picture … Why doesn’t this event merit a small article and pictures in the Metro section? The immigrants from Scotland and Ireland played a large role in the development of Northeast Florida, and that in itself makes these games worthy of reporting.”
My comment: I think the reader made a reasonable request. Ethnic events of all kinds ought to be reported, especially events that are growing.
