Rallies

Rally refers to a large public gathering organized to support or oppose a cause, candidate, or policy. Political rallies are common forms of campaigning and political expression, featuring speeches, chants, banners, and crowd participation. They may be held outdoors or inside venues and typically require permits, security planning, and crowd-management measures to ensure safety and access. Rallies can mobilize supporters, attract media attention, and amplify messages, but they can also provoke counter-protests or raise concerns about noise, disruption, and public order.

In sports, a rally is the sequence of continuous play between opponents before a point is decided. In tennis and badminton, a rally consists of a series of successful strokes; in volleyball or table tennis, it likewise denotes the long exchange of ball-in-play. The length and intensity of rallies depend on skill, strategy, court conditions, and rules, and a longer rally can influence stamina and tactics.

In motorsport, a rally is a time-speed endurance event held on varied road surfaces and often spanning long distances. Teams navigate using pace notes, while a co-driver assists with navigation. The event is divided into special stages (timed competition) and liaison sections (road travel). The objective is to complete stages as quickly as possible while obeying traffic laws and safety rules. Notable formats include world championship rallies and historical rallies.

Historically, rallies have served as political mobilization and as a form of entertainment or competition in sports. They are governed by laws and regulations that address safety, permits, noise, and crowd control. The term encompasses multiple senses, but the core idea is a gathering or a sequence of coordinated activity that is intended to unite participants toward a goal or to sustain competitive play.