NC ALERT: Leftist "anti-war" rally in Fayetteville planned for March 20, 2004

NC Peace Hub ^

[tgslTakoma]

It seems that the usual suspects (United for Peace and Justice, International ANSWER, National Lawyers Guild, International Socialists, Muslim American Society, etc.) have had some difficulty amassing the requisite number of sheep to do another "Mass March on Washington," so they are instead planning multiple smaller events across the country on March 20th.

Heads-up North Carolina FReepers - they are coming to Fayetteville, NC.

From NCPeaceHub's website, here is their announcement:

March 20th: THE WORLD STILL SAYS NO TO WAR
Fayetteville, North Carolina- 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Local: www.Ncpeacehub.org National: www.unitedforpeace.org

One year ago on February 15th, 2003, millions of people took to the streets to say no to the impending war on Iraq. On March 20th, 2004, the one year anniversary of the U.S. Invasion of Iraq, people from around North Carolina and the South will march and rally in Fayetteville to demand Real Support for the Troops: Money for Jobs and Education, not War and Occupation. Sponsored by Military Families Speak Out, Veterans for Peace, United for Peace and Justice and over 100 local peace & justice organizations, the March and rally on March 20th in Fayetteville is part of a global day of action to say: The World Still Says No to War. Organizers are seeking endorsements, donations, peacekeepers and other volunteers. Durham and Chapel Hill bus tickets are available from the Regulator Books, the Know Bookstore, and Internationalist Books. More information is available on the web at www.NCpeacehub.org.

[tgslTakoma]

I have to believe, from the latest happenings and announcements on the ANSWER and other leftist sites, that smoke and mirrors are no longer effective, and that ANSWER is spinning its wheels and trying to dig out of its malaise.

If ANSWER thought they could still spin that they had a broad base of support, and that they could get large numbers of people to DC, they would not have changed plans so close to the date of the "mass rally" in DC. I think they know that their numbers would be small, and news coverage of their recent forays has been less glowing than in the beginning. So now ANSWER and their lefty buddies are going for local coverage, to try and recover their base.

March 20th can be the "stick a fork in it" day for the radical left's assault on the US, if the regular folk (that's us, kiddos) stage our own local counterdemonstrations to theirs. I know that time is very short, but I know that there are tons of right-thinking people in NC, especially Fayetteville, who can wave flags and signs and set the record straight about the red roots of the "peace movement."

Oh heck, maybe it isn't necessary. Maybe only 100 lefties will show up. But do you all want those 100 lefties to have the undivided attention of the local news crews?

If I still lived in NC, I know where I'd be on March 20th.

[tgslTakoma]

Bump from an ex Nash County Tarheel.

[martin_fierro]

Sic 'em! <|:)~

[Snickersnee]

If I was A.N.S.W.E.R., I'd be keerful. They don't call it "Fatal-ville" fer nuthin'. 505th PIR bump!

[Angelwood]

The latest email news from ANSWER has a paragraph listing locations where they are trying to get local rallies organized for March 20, 2004.

In addition to the major regional demonstrations taking place in New York City, San Francisco, Chicago and Los Angeles, momentum is growing across the country and around the world to make March 20 a massive day of global action. Cities organizing local protests include: Atlanta, Georgia; Augusta, Maine; Bellingham, Washington; Charlotte, North Carolina; Columbus, Ohio; Crawford, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Des Moines, Iowa; Eureka, California; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Fresno, California; Lansing, Michigan; Lincoln, Nebraska; Mobile, Alabama; Naples, Florida; New Bedford, Massachusetts; New Orleans, Louisiana; Oxford, Michigan; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Portland, Oregon; Riverside, California; Rockford, Illinois; San Diego, California; San Jose, California; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Seattle, Washington; Tallahassee, Florida; Tucson, Arizona; Ventura, California; Waterloo, Iowa; Yellow Springs, Ohio; and many more!

There is also a note next to Washington, DC which indicates that they will be loading buses in DC to travel to the New York City event -- we are checking to see if this means they are giving up on anything big in DC this time.

[MikeD]

Is there a NC chapter of Protest Warrior? If ever there were a few idiots that needed to be shouted down -- especially those from that communist International bookstore in Chapel Hill...

MD

[rbmillerjr]

mmm interesting, seems to me that there was a group of socialists and communists that got together in North Carolina back in the late seventies or early eighties.

[TaxRelief]

NC Ping*

Let me, MYkdsmom or Constitution Day know if you want on or off the NCPing list or if you think you've been accidentally dropped or ....

[rangerwife]

I don't think they'll get too much sympathy or support here in Fayetteville. Not with all the yellow ribbons, flags, etc I see around.

[rangerwife]

I second the 505th PIR bump!

[Vinnie]

Shows you how out of touch with reality these jerks are, Fayetteville for an anti-war rally.

CD

have car, will travel

Guess they couldn't wait for May Day.

[wimpycat]

Anti-war protests in Fayetteville, home of Ft. Bragg and the 82nd Airborne? ROFL!!

Oh, they'll protest, but you'll have to look pretty hard to find them.

[TaxRelief]

They will be bussing the protestors in.

[tgslTakoma]

From the looks of ANSWER's website, they have pulled out of marching en masse in DC on March 20th. I'm seriously thinking about a road trip, and bringing my MOABs with me.

Anyone in NC organizing a "greeting party" for these yahoos?

[rangerwife]

I'll be there. It will give me something to look forward to and get out of the house as hubby is leaving very soon for a while.

[tgslTakoma]

You have freepmail!

[Constitution Day]

Let's get a group together to FReep these losers!
Also, I still have an e-mail list from our Rally For America in Raleigh last March.

[TaxRelief]

I can put out something through the Republican Party, if we bill this as a "Support the Troops Rally" to attract general participation. Just a thought.

We could possibly tentatively reserve a bus from each major city then sell seats.

[ATCNavyRetiree]

GO GET 'EM FREEPERS!
COUNTER-PROTEST!!!!

[rangerwife]

I like that idea...it would be a "Support the Troops" rally. It is not like those jerks are coming to offer their support, they're coming to offer their contempt and hatred.

[dr_who_2]

Fayetteville? That's asking for trouble.

[TaxRelief]

Expound, please. They will have very large numbers.

[Constitution Day]

Tax, ranger:

That sounds great.
I have to say that if we do this I will have to just help out rather than being one of the primary organizers; my work schedule simply won't allow it.

I'm also pinging mykdsmom and dei23 to give them a heads-up.

CD

[Constitution Day]

Setting the Wayback Machine for one year ago yesterday...

February 15, 2003: Raleigh NC, Patriot Rally Report

Crowd shot

Constitution Day giving an interview to ABC News.

[JackDanielsOldNo7]

They should blend in well with this democrat hell hole that is Cumberland County.(Fayetteville NC)

[dr_who_2]

http://www.fayettevillencchamber.org/mac_milinfo.htm

[TaxRelief]

Cumberland County
Totals :

Total Voters 161,051
Dem 83,495
Rep 44,099
Una 33,076
Lib 381

Scary. More Dems than all the others added up.

[Morgan's Raider]

Don't seen like a real bright thing to do right there at the gates of Fort Bragg -- almost as smart as the 35 anti-Bush protesters who decided to march on Daytona Speedway yesterday.

[TaxRelief]

Having read through a bunch of their stuff, this is going to be huge.

They are holding it in the same park as the 1970 Jane Fonda Vietnam Rally. They have more than 100 organizations involved already:

Advocacy for North Carolina Asian Pacific Americans

Beloved Community Center, Greensboro

Black Workers for Justice

Burlington Amnesty International

Campaign to End the Cycle of Violence (CECV)

Campus Anti-War Coalition at UNC-Greensboro (Contact: Julie Southerland)

Campus Greens at NC State University (Contact: Elena Everett)

Chapel Hill Friends' Meeting House

Charlotte Area Green Party

Charlotte Coalition for Peace & Justice (Rachel Corrie's Parents group)

Charlotte Fellowship of Reconciliation

Coalition for Peace with Justice

Coastal Carolina for Peace

Duct Tape for Peace

Duke Against War in Iraq

Eartheal, Durham

Eastern Carolina Coalition Against Invading Iraq (email)

Empowerment Project Episcopal Peace Fellowship of St. Luke's (Durham)

Fayetteville Peace with Justice

Gas-House Peace Coalition, Dallas, N.C.

Greensboro Peace Coalition

International Socialist Organization (ISO)

Internationalist Books

Institute for Southern Studies

Iraq Action Coalition

The Islamic Center of the Triad

Jews for a Just Peace

Minister's Conference of Winston-Salem

Mothers for Peace

Muslims for a Better North Carolina

NCSU Student Peace Action Network (SPAN)

NC Green Party

NC Hunger Network (Contact: Shirley McClain)

NC IndyMedia

NC Lambda Youth Network

NC Network for Popular Democracy

National Organization for Women, NCCU
NC Peace Action

New Bern Peace Coalition

NIYA, Raleigh

North Carolina Labor Against the War

North Carolinians for Alternatives to War (NCAW)

Not In Our Name (NION)

Orange County Bill of Rights Defense Committee

Orange County Peace Coalition

Peace 1st

Peace Action

People Educating with an Active Commitment to Equality (PEACE), Wilmington

Pilgrim United Church of Christ, Durham

Pulpit Forum, Greensboro

Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham

Sandhills Peace Initiative, Southern Pines

September 11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows

Silk Hope Catholic Workers

Southerners On New Ground (SONG)

Stone Circles

Students Take Action for Nonviolence and Democracy (STAND),

Riverside High School, Durham

Students Take Action for Nonviolence and Democracy (STAND),

Durham School of the Arts

Students United for a Responsible Global Environment (SURGE)

Triangle Buddhist Peace Fellowship

Triangle Free Press

Triangle Green Party (Contact: Wayne Turner)

UNC Gay Lesbian Bisexual Trangender Student Alliance

United Church of Chapel Hill

United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS)

Veterans for Peace, Asheville (Contact: Tim Pluta, 828-689-8463)

Voices for Peace, Franklin (Contact: Trish Severin)

War Resisters League

Western NC Peace Coalition (email)

Winston-Salem Community for Peace

Witness for Peace

Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Raleigh

World Against War, Carrboro

[TaxRelief]

Don't seen like a real bright thing to do right there at the gates of Fort Bragg -- almost as smart as the 35 anti-Bush protesters who decided to march on Daytona Speedway yesterday.

No it doesn't seem "too bright", but then consider that in 1970 one of the largest rallys in US history took place in the exact same location (and this one won't be "35 people" either.)

[tgslTakoma]

They like to make themselves seem bigger than they actually are, by listing all the many and varied "groups" which endorse the action du jour. In reality the groups very likely share many members.

For instance, membership in Triangle Green Party and UNCGay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Student Alliance and NC Lambda Youth Network and National Organization for Women is likely comingled. Same thing probably goes for all the Green Party groups and International Socialist Organization and IndyMedia, etc.

And I see that there are various versions of Iraq, Islamic and Muslim groups listed; again, most likely the leader of one is also a member of the other groups.

It makes them feel bigger than they are, to have so many "groups" listed.

In any event, you guys in North Carolina can take the wind out of their rainbow-colored sails of socialism by simply banding together and meeting them on their march route - in one spot, or along the route is something you can discuss (better via email, freepmail or phone - and announce the final decision a few days in advance with a thread here).

It's not my place to tell you guys what to do or what will work best down there, but when you decide on the who, what, when and where (I already know why) - let me know. I have the weekend off at work, a gas card and a couple of MOABs perfect for such an event. My kid has already said, "Cool!" when I suggested a road trip may be in our future.

[TaxRelief]

My kid has already said, "Cool!" when I suggested a road trip may be in our future.

I love your FReeping spirit! We will make it fun for the kids, too! Face painting, red/white and blue balloons, field games and "sign making".

[rangerwife]

I just checked out this group's website. Get this...on the transportation and info about Fayetteville, they are advising the marchers that there is additional parking for them at the Airborne and Special Ops Museum. Oh the irony in that!

I'm up for this and I'd be willing to help in any way I can. I'm local to Fayetteville, so if anyone needs any help with directions, locations, hotels, etc., let me know.

It doesn't surprise me that groups from Chapel Hill and Durham are involved with this.

[rangerwife]

Ping!

[tgslTakoma]

I suppose I should also be more clear about my MOABs...

I don't bring explosives to rallies :-) In this case, MOAB stands for Mother Of All Banners... very high visibility, 20' x 5' banner. I borrowed a sign-making technique common with the radical left; spraypaint on large sheet of fabric. Low budget and high visibility.

[tgslTakoma]

OOPS! I meant to do THIS!

[TaxRelief]

What about local VFW groups? Right to life groups? Conservative schools and churches?

The protestors will be convening at 11 am at the Amtrak Station on Hay St. Then they will march along Hay Street.

According to their site Tentative: 1:00 pm- Rally at Rowan Street Park-Speakers, Music, Poetry, and Song [BARF] (Some pages say Freedom Park, perhaps it is not yet decided.)

Perhaps we can let the Amtrak Station Mgr and the museum know that they are "offering free parking for protestors". You could also get people in the vicinity to offer $7 parking in their business lots or driveways (LOL).

Is Fayetteville prepared for this potentially large onslaught?

[TaxRelief]

SC ping! Real FReep against Vietnam War-style Rally in Fayetteville in planning stages.

[Constitution Day]

TR, Huber -

I'm pinging, in no particular order, some people who bumped our previous rally threads and/or attended rallies:

mykdsmom; dei23; dstarr; 45semi; Congressman Billybob; spacewarp; kcar; George Smiley; blackbag; Helms; juhtanuh; 2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten; ShaunNC; bobsbabe; JWinNC; Freedom'sWorthIt; kayak; goosie; ncweaver; Howlin; lizbet; Bismark; Jimidallas; shaunnc, shapka, GOP-Pat; RightOnline; Ann Archy; Future Snake Eater; hnorris; wise counsel; Claire Voyant

Raleigh NC, Patriot Rally Report (counterprotest of "anti-war" rally)RALLY FOR AMERICA: 3/22/03, State Capitol, Raleigh, NC (planning thread)
After Rally Report from Raleigh NC

Sorry if I left anyone out.
One note: we will almost certainly have to have a permit.

[Constitution Day]

PING! Forgot to include you in #40.

[rangerwife]

TR, I have no idea about Fayetteville's preps. This is the first and only place I've heard about it. I'll keep an eye out though...the paper should have some info about it, but I don't think there will be more info until the day gets closer.

[Angelwood]

DC Chapter bump.

[mykdsmom]

Looks like they are planning a rally in Charlotte for the same day.

Here is a link to all the NC activities planned by the unwashed ones. United for Peace and Justice Events

MKM

[TaxRelief]

Here's some inspiration for those who are not hopping on board our Support the Troops Train.

A Contrast in Character

[TaxRelief]

The Charlotte rally will be a token distraction, and will probably not cause harm to or deject the troops and their families to the same degree. We can't counter protest every little cluster of whiners, but we can and should offer love and support in one of the hearts of our military housing.

[spacewarp]

Can I suggest a slogan for the new MOAB? "If those guys are the ANSWER, then it must be a REAL STUPID QUESTION."

What's going to be done to protect Charlotte? Everyone's getting ready for FayetteNAM, but nobody's talking about the other end of the state. If I'm working that weekend, I'll be out protesting these fools for a portion of the time. Otherwise, I'll try to talk the wife into some activism in the Fayetteville direction. I'm loud enough on my own to shout down these fools, but it is always good to have backup.

Paul

[TaxRelief]

Reading through the minutes of the last NC Peacehub meeting, there is nothing they have planned for Charlotte.

[tgslTakoma]

One note: we will almost certainly have to have a permit.

It's definitely a very good idea to check in advance with the local constabulary to see if a permit is required and what areas are available. If the lefties have gotten permits for all the public spaces (which they are known to do) in a particular area, you may just have to wing it and pick a spot along their march route that would accomodate a large number of "parade watchers." Watching a parade as it passes down a street does not require a permit.

Hint, once the route of the lefty march is known, pick high ground. That way everyone can see your signs and flags, and the lefties have to look up to see you. :-)

[dixie sass]

Thanks for the ping. Where is spring? I'm cold.