After the first arrests at Ground Zero, a small group of bystanders came to the aid of the "orphaned" marchers and lead them to their final destination at Broadway and 28th Street. Hundreds of marchers made their way uptown, changing their route at least once to avoid a reported police barrier along their original route.

The marchers obeyed all traffic laws and were careful not to block sidewalks. Nevertheless, the police finally blocked their march at 28th and Broadway, after the parade leaders chose not to turn their march into a "free speech zone" hastily erected in park along the march route a couple blocks back.

Once it became obvious that they weren't going to be allowed to proceed the "die-in" commenced. Fifty-four of the marchers walked into the middle of Broadway and laid down. The other marchers remained on the sidewalk along with bystanders and various media representives until forced back by the police or face arrest along with the fifty-four.