LIVE THREAD: PATRIOTS RALLY FOR AMERICA III (As Not Seen on C-SPAN)

The Field ^ | Friends of DC Chapter -- That's YOU!

[FreeTheHostages]

DC Patriots Rally Counterprotest begins at 9 a.m. today We have a Freeper volunteer -- Pippin -- who will take reports live from the field and post them on Free Republic for us. So look to this thread for live updates of what is going on in DC. The updates should start around 9 a.m.

[Dubya]

Protests oppose war on Iraq

By Calvin Woodward
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Protesters rallied by the thousands in the bitter cold of Washington on Saturday and in capitals worldwide in a passionate show of dissent against war with Iraq. The cry "No blood for oil" echoed from the streets of Pakistan to America's National Mall.

A rally outside the Capitol, followed by a march to a naval yard, anchored demonstrations from coast to coast as well as abroad. With war seeming so close, many protesters made special efforts to get to Washington to make their point in the shadow of America's political and military institutions.

"We stand here today, a new generation of anti-war activists," Peta Lindsay from International Answer, the main organizers, exhorted the national rally. "This is just beginning. We will stop this war."

Signs branded America a "Rogue Nation," and demanded, "Disarm Bush."

"No war on Iraq," the crowd chanted.

The United States seems to be on a relentless march toward conflict, said Larry Holmes, speaking for the organizers. "It seems like it has a momentum and a sense of inevitability, and so we're rushing against the clock," he said.

"So as they send the troops there and surround Iraq, we're sending the troops into the streets of Washington, D.C., so to speak."

Morning temperatures were in the teens, and organizers tightened their schedule so people would not stand long in the cold.

Three dozen people turned out by the Vietnam War Memorial to show support for President Bush's policy on Iraq and offer a contrary voice to the blitz of demonstrations.

"The protesters don't understand the threat" of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, said Scott Johnson, 55, a Navy veteran from Minneapolis. "It's a war of liberation for people."

A major demonstration was organized in San Francisco, and activists assembled in other states.For many, the imperative was to come to Washington.

Demonstrators staged peace rallies worldwide, events that typically drew hundreds or fewer. But 5,000 people marched through downtown Tokyo, carrying toy guns filled with flowers, wearing face masks that parodied President Bush and waving banners. The crowd, made up largely of students and laborers, was orderly.

About 60 protesters in Hong Kong shouted, "War, no," and in Pakistan, the familiar refrain "No blood for oil" rang out.

Several hundred people tried to march on the U.S. consulate in Lahore, but Pakistani authorities held the crowd back. Six were allowed to deliver an appeal to American officials to spare Iraqis from war.

More than 400 New Zealanders demonstrated in Christchurch. In Moscow, a few hundred people agitated outside the U.S. Embassy in a protest organized by a branch of the Communist Party. People turned their backs to the building, and signs called the United States a "Global Cannibal."

In the Syrian capital, Damascus, thousands marched with a message that was not all about peace. Many cried, "Our beloved Saddam, strike Tel Aviv," in celebration of Iraq's missile thrusts against Israel during the 1991 Gulf War and in hope Saddam would strike again. In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians rallied under the same slogan.

In Washington, demonstrators hoped the weekend protests and more ahead would win over an American public that is unsettled by the prospect of an Iraq war yet supportive of Bush's leadership. Bush was at the Camp David, Md., presidential retreat for the weekend.

"Bush has said that he intends to launch a pre-emptive war, and now he's facing the most formidable obstacle, which is a pre-emptive anti-war movement," Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, from Partnership for Civil Justice, said Friday.

Washington police said they had been assured the main rally and march, from the National Mall, around the Capitol, past Marine barracks and to the Washington Navy Yard, would be peaceful.

Police issued several permits to the demonstrators, the largest for 30,000 people. On Sunday, a small group planned to march to the White House and promised nonviolent civil disobedience - meaning some expected to be arrested.

"I think the president welcomes the fact that we are a democracy and people in the United States, unlike Iraq, are free to protest and to make their case known," Bush's spokesman, Ari Fleischer, said Friday.

[AGreatPer]

"the one that left early in fact to get warm"

Ahhhh, the one with brains. Hey sweet, you were there, we wern't. Story over.

Of course, proud of all that were there and enviious.

Fred, proud of you sir for coming up for the week-end.

[Cindy]

[Mudboy Slim]

"a whole bunch of peaceniks protesting in DC this evening. I was just waiting for you to pop up! ;-)"

I wuz there...and I got it all on videotape...LOL!!! Me and Delphinium wandered over to the main stage of the protest--my honest estimate of folks is 20,000, if that--and hung out amongst the IgnorantWhore'd!! It was HILARIOUS how absolutely STOOOOOOPID these folks actually are...LOL!! Just thinking about it in my minds-eye has me ROFLMAO all over again!!

I'll add more later, but just remember that at least two of the 15,000-20,000 anti-America protesters were RadicalRightWingWhackos just enjoying a stroll thru the soft underbelly of American Culture!!

I got the whole Patti Smythe performance on video and AUDIO--we were right next to the speakers (LOL)--and believe I will FReep her song fer Black XIV.

Y'all that missed this FReep missed a humdinger...next time, git off yer arses and JOIN US!!!

FReegards...MUD

[AGreatPer]

Good stuff Cindy. Thank you.

[Mudboy Slim]

How come you didn't tell me you wuz coming, my FRiend...sorry I didn't enjoy the honor of meeting you today!!

FReegards...MUD

[WVNan]

HA! Just like you to sneak into the enemy camp. Good work Mud. I think we should do this more often. In fact I think sweetliberty's idea is right on. We need to infiltrate their ranks all across the country. Take advantage of their bus rides and leave them wondering why the crowd is not as large as they hoped (after Freepers have melted away and joined the Partiots). We should practice that old addage, "know your enemy." We could do some major damage to their organization by being spies.

[Mudboy Slim]

"I had the Green Bay Packers jacket on, hubby is a Retired Marine (had the Gulf War hat and carried a big flag) and the 2 teenagers that attended were mine."

I saw y'all!! What a great day, IMHO...MUD

[AGreatPer]

"It was HILARIOUS how absolutely STOOOOOOPID these folks actually are"

Great job Mud. My Lord, these people were losing their kids in freezing weather. How stupid could you be?

I hope C-SPAM repeats this many times to show the world just how stupid these people are.

Thanks Mud for the report.

[unspun]

Way to go. "It Takes a Packer Fan," I say.

[hoosiermama]

WHat fun! CHeck out LIsaFab's report here!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/825182/posts

[Mudboy Slim]

"We stand here today, a new generation of anti-war activists," Peta Lindsay from International Answer"

That protest was NOT about Peace, it was totally about Socialism!!

And the IgnorantWhore'd was lappin' it up...LOL!!!

FReegards...MUD

[Dubya]

Yep. They are bunch of jerks.

[Mudboy Slim]

"I think sweetliberty's idea is right on. We need to infiltrate their ranks all across the country. Take advantage of their bus rides and leave them wondering why the crowd is not as large as they hoped (after Freepers have melted away and joined the Partiots)."

LOL...it's not fer everyone!! These folks are seriously detached from reality, and I believe the long bus ride amongst these Kumbaya-chantin' nutjobs would be more than this ol' heart could take!!

I'll just drive myself...LOL!!

FReegards...MUD

BTW...we need to see a bigger WestVirginia contingent next time!!

[Mudboy Slim]

"Thanks Mud for the report."

De nada, mi amigo...I'll add more after I get the young'uns down. The Missuz has girls' weekend shopping so she's up in NOVA now, and the mudrats are rarin' to go after a full day with my parents...LOL!!

Very interesting day, indeed...MUD

[Fred Mertz]

Missed you, MUD, at 8th and I. I had to get double rations on aspirin today due to the many loud leftists.

[MudPuppy]

actually my hubby is the Packer fan (total CheeseHead!) - I borrowed his coat and it kept the top of me warm anyway :)

Many of the Left were dumfounded by my daughter's presence. She's a pretty teenager in combat boots, cammie trousers, long hair and lots of earrings (looked too "cool" to be on our side). She gave them hell today and stated how she was proud to stand on the side of the Patriots to support our troops and support the Constitution. Lots of attitude channeled properly can be a good thing :)

Woo Hoo.

[WVNan]

I agree that we need more W.Va. patriots involved, but I can't even get them to donate a lousy $1. I've been to one rally. I have a problem (it's called husband). I can't get permission to make the trip, and he is the boss (we're old fashioned and he's a former Marine. I don't argue).

[Mudboy Slim]

"Missed you, MUD, at 8th and I."

We were at 8th and I from 12 until 12:30...where were y'all?! Delphinium and I spent a good 45 minutes looking for a parking space, then went and ate at that SouthKorean deli at 8th and I--my Rueban was superb, FWIW--and then realized there were no Leftists around us, so we figgered we had the wrong corner. We headed south and the cops told us we were five blocks away from the action, so we skeedaddled over to where the action wuz, but never saw any FRiendly faces!! What a HOOt that Rally was...SHEEEEESH!!! BTW...is Patti Smythe a man or a woman?! We were pretty close, but I couldn't tell...BWAHAHAHAHA!!!

Proud to FReep with ya again, sir (and ma'am)...thanks fer making the trip!!

FReegards...MUD

[Mudboy Slim]

"I have a problem (it's called husband)."

Give that man my FReepMail address...I wanna talk some sense into that leatherneck!! We Gotta Tyrant to DETHRONE!!!

FReegards...MUD

BTW...if yer Marine hubby's really big and tough, say I asked to talk to him nicely...LOL!!