By, Jennifer Lipman
1 min read
ByJennifer Lipman, Jennifer Lipman
Jewish satirist is leading the fight against America’s right wing Tea Party movement in the run-up to November’s mid-term elections.
Jonathan Leibowitz, better known as The Daily Show presenter Jon Stewart, has announced plans for a "Rally to Restore Sanity” with a “Million Moderate March” on Washington.
The event, scheduled for October 30, is designed to counter the growing popularity of the Tea Party, a group championed by former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
Mr Stewart said there would be signs at the event with the slogan: "I Disagree With You, But I'm Pretty Sure You're Not Hitler".
The Daily Show features fake news broadcasts, but although some political commentators questioned whether this was merely a television stunt, officials said the comedian had already filed a request to hold the event.
It has prompted speculation Mr Stewart is considering entering mainstream national politics.
Mr Stewart said the rally was for those voters “who feel that the loudest voices shouldn’t be the only ones that get heard."
As with other significant rallies in American history, including the civil rights movement’s Million man March in 1965, the anti-Tea Party gathering will be held at Washington’s National Mall in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
It follows a Tea Party demonstration in Washington last month, under the banner “Restoring Honour” to America.
The Tea Party is fielding a number of candidates for the mid-terms on November 2, in which a third of US senators and all congressmen are up for re-election.
The Republicans are expected to make huge gains and even become the majority party in the Senate; however polls also suggest the ascendance of the Tea Party will split the right-wing vote.