17 million-ish protestors: largest *protest* in history?

[aethyrflux]

If we estimate that 20% of Egypt's (85 million) population were present, then perehaps a more reasonable figure would be 17 million protestors (!), most of them *smiling* :-D
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2013/07/egypt-protest-photos-night/66762/

a somewhat more in-depth analysis from democracy now
http://www.democracynow.org/2013/7/1/sharif_abdel_kouddous_millions_protesting_morsi

and a comprehensive synthesis of the options, from Al Jazeera
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/07/201372104442900626.html

this is the current party line from the US
http://backchannel.al-monitor.com/index.php/2013/07/5602/white-house-us-not-urging-morsi-to-hold-early-elections/

and here's a more skeptical/realistic view...
Obama Offers a Revisionist History of His Administration’s Approach To Egypt
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/07/02/obama-offers-a-revisionist-history-of-his-administration-s-approach-to-egypt.html

for some perspective, here are my notes about Egypt from 2011
http://aethyrflux.livejournal.com/215252.html

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Concerning protests specifically, the Guinness Book of World Records currently lists the Feb. 15, 2003, Iraq War protest as the largest (worldwide) antiwar rally in history.
(Time Magazine) Viewpoint: Why Was the Biggest Protest in World History Ignored?
http://world.time.com/2013/02/15/viewpoint-why-was-the-biggest-protest-in-world-history-ignored/

But don't forget about India's Kumbh Mela festival, held every 12 years, which estimated 100 million bathers in total across its 55 days, during 2013... Kumbh Mela chief Devesh Chaturvedi said: "By afternoon over 20 million people had taken the holy dip and by evening the numbers crossed 30 million." (in one day)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-21395425