The first inkling that this was bigger, so much bigger than expected came at the North Hollywood Metrolink. Not even 8 am and the parking lots were full and the streets jammed. Thousands of people converged, surged through the concourse, packed the stairs, filled (and over-filled) the cars.

At Pershing Square the crowds were so thick it took half an hour just to reach the street. There, more than one hundred thousand people (the LAPD head count doesn't get any more specific than that) walked peacefully through downtown.

It was a parade, a celebration, a repudiation, a declaration, and a joyful revelation. It was thoughtful, peaceful (not a single arrest) inclusive and hopeful. As you marched with the women and men and young people of all races and ages and ethnicities, from all walks of life, united by the need to speak out, to push back, to stand up for one another, for human rights, for basic decency, you couldn't help but feel deep pride in our city and -- have you seen the news stories and overhead shots? -- our nation and our world.

Metro crowd at Pershing Square:

And out into dtla:

The signs, lord the signs were great, somber, defiant, funny and profane.

*This post has been adjusted to reflect LAPD's crowd estimate in dtla.