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DC #fencingmob takes over the National Mall

 

September 11, 2014

 

DC #fencingmob takes over the National Mall

 

On Sunday, September 7, more than More than 30 fencers from clubs across the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area met on the National Mall as part of a global fencing flash mob to promote this Olympic sport.

 

The event was one of many around the world, as fencers took to the streets to showcase their sport in iconic public spaces. In Washington DC, the group marched onto the Mall with Russell Ramsey, the chair of the Washington 2024 committee, who is working to bring the Summer Olympics to the area. With the Capitol on one side and the Washington Monument on the other, the group of fencers ranging in age from 7 to over 70 drew a crowd that included local fencing enthusiasts as well as interested onlookers new to fencing.

 

With the crowd of supporters was Sunil Sabharwhal, who has a distinguished career in international sport, representing the US fencing community internationally at the sports’ governing body, the Federation Internationale d’Escrime and serving as Chief of Mission for the US fencing at the Beijing Olympics.

 

Following the event, Alessandro Noto of the Italian Fencing Federation reported that in Italy alone, #fencingmobs took place in more than 71 cities. Across the globe, fencers in more than 50 cities in all five continents participated in the flashmob. A first estimate shows more than 7,500 fencers of all ages participated worldwide. Remarkable images and video captured fencing flashmobs in front of the Colosseum in Rome, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, near Big Ben in London, at the southernmost tip of South America in Ushuaia, Argentina, Sydney, Australia, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Washington, DC, and dozens of other remarkable cities around the world. Plans are already in the works for a #fencingmob in 2015.

 

Thanks to David Ruskin for some beautiful photos of the DC #fencingmob. See them on the DCFC Facebook page.

Watch the DCFC video of the DC #fencingmob.

See the international collection of #fencingmob photos.

Watch the international playlist of #fencingmob videos.

Follow the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at #fencingmob.

 

Finally, the DC #fencing mob would not have happened without the tenacious efforts of Valerie Asher. She managed two permit applications, overcame two denials, submitted two appeals, held one meeting with the Park Service, and even garnered help from a congressional office in order for the Capitol Division to receive a permit for this flash mob. Thanks to Valerie Asher for your dedication, and thanks to all our volunteers, families, and friends for supporting this event.

 

Salute!

 

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