The rally had the air of collective catharsis. It was the first time in decades that Zimbabweans had been able to protest Mugabe without fear of arrest, coming days after the 93-year-old leader was detained by the military.

Although the future of Zimbabwe’s government remains in question, with Mugabe still involved in negotiations with the military and South African intermediaries, Saturday’s demonstration sent a clear signal that opposition to Mugabe is massive and diverse.

It appeared to be the largest public demonstration in Zimbabwe since the country declared independence from white minority rule in 1980, with the crowd ballooning throughout the day.