Activists gather at the Lincoln Memorial to participate in the One Nation Working Together rally to promote job creation, diversity and tolerance. (J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press)

Thousands flocked to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Saturday in a rally organized by the political left to drum up support for Democrats in next month's midterm U.S. elections.

While the event, called the "One Nation Working Together" movement was billed as non-political, it hosted more than 400 organizations, mostly including, liberal, union, environmental, civil rights and gay rights groups.

MSNBC host Ed Schultz opened the rally, as he blamed Republicans for shipping jobs overseas and curtailing freedoms.

"This is a defining moment in America. Are you American?" Schultz told the raucous crowd of thousands. "This is no time to back down. This is time to fight for America."

"We are together. This march is about the power to the people," said Schultz. "It is about the people standing up to the corporations. Are you ready to fight back?"

The rally focused not on tax cuts or government spending, but jobs.

"This is the time to rally, this is the season of opportunity. One nation demanding jobs, justice and education," said Carroll Baltimore, of the Progressive National Baptist Convention.

It was seen by many as a response to a rally five weeks earlier by tea party faithful and headlined by Fox News personality Glenn Beck. That rally was also billed as nonpolitical, but was widely viewed as a protest against the policies of President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats.

One Nation organizers said they began planning their event before learning about Beck's rally, and said Saturday's march is not in reaction to that. While the event drew a large crowd, the event sponsored by Beck seemed to attract more people.

The rally comes as support for Obama is down, with voters unhappy about the state of the economy and employment. Some predict the Republicans could take back the House and possibly the Senate in the November elections.

With files from The Associated Press