An estimated 250,000 people converged on the National Mall in front of the nation's capitol building for Comedy Central's Rally To Restore Sanity and/or Fear Oct. 30. In addition, 2 million viewers tuned in to the network's live telecast, while MacArthur Park in Los Angeles also aired the event.
The Prince of Darkness posed backstage with Islam (formerly Cat Stevens) and rally hosts Stewart and Colbert. The musicians performed dueling versions of Crazy Train and Peace Train. "Everybody wanted to talk to Yusuf, and he was happy to talk," Gries said.
"Every time I saw him he was talking to correspondents," photographer Gries said of Wilco's frontman, who was snapped chatting up The Daily Show's John Oliver.
The Daily Show's Oliver, Wilmore and Mandvi met three-time WWE champion Mick "Mankind" Foley (center left), who received a "Medal of Reasonableness" at the rally for his defense of children bullied in school.
The Roots drummer said hello to Daily Show correspondent Munn just before the band took the stage to perform.
"People seemed proud to be there," said Gries after photographing Stewart embracing Bennett, who performed America the Beautiful at the rally.