Posted on 01/05/2005 8:10:01 PM PST by kristinn
The D.C. Chapter of Free Republic has obtained a demonstration permit from the U.S. Park Service for two places along the Inaugural Parade route for January 20.
They are not what we applied for. However, we will try to make do with what has been offered us.
The two places are close together, but apart. One is a 141-foot-long stretch on the north side of the 600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (18 feet deep, total 2658 sq. ft.) The other is a section of sidewalk at 7th Street and Indiana, Avenue, N.W. (11,921 sq. ft.)
Our main purpose in gathering there is to provide a 'safe haven' from violent left wing and liberal protesters for conservatives and other supporters of President Bush.
Being that it is expected that tens of thousands of anti-American protesters will be swarming the parade route, we are calling our areas the American Sectors.
While we are trying to establish an area free from left wing violence, no guarantee can be made of absolute safety. But we will work with law enforcement officers to let them know that we expect to be able to show our support for the President in peace and safety.
Our permit for the American Sectors runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Those of you who do not plan on going to the swearing in ceremony at the Capitol are encouraged to come to the American Sectors early and make the day of it. As far as we know, the parade route will be open to spectators and demonstrators sometime in the morning. Once the screening points open up, it will be a competition with the anti-American protesters to fill the public space along the parade route. We expect to have our hands full maintaining the integrity of the American Sectors. Your help early in the day would be appreciated.
The Secret Service has laid down strict rules as to what can be carried past the security checkpoint. Please take heed.
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE PROHIBITED: "Firearms; Ammunition; Explosives; Weapons of any kind; Aerosols; Supports for signs and placards; Packages; Coolers; Thermal or glass containers; Backpacks; Bags exceeding size restrictions (8 inches by 6 inches); Laser pointers; Animals other than helper/guide dogs; Structures, Any other items determined to be a potential hazard."
"With respect to signs and placards, the Secret Service would ask that those items be limited to items made of cardboard, poster board or cloth and have dimensions no greater than three feet width, twenty feet in length and one-quarter inch in thickness. As noted above, we are asking that supports for signs and placards be prohibited as these items may be used as a means of concealing weapons or as weapons themselves. Additionally, the prohibition on structures includes props, folding chairs, bicycles, displays such as puppets, papier mache objects, coffins, crates, crosses, theaters, cages and statues. It does not include signs, portable bullhorns, cell phones, baby carriages, baby strollers, wheelchairs and other devices for the handicapped in use by handicapped persons...."
The list and rules are subject to minor changes.
It is strongly advised that you take Metro to get to the American Sectors along the parade route. The Archives/Navy Memorial station will most likely be closed because it is inside the security zone. Therefore, the nearest Metro stations are Gallery Place, 7th and F Street exit (Red, Green and Yellow lines,) Judiciary Square and Metro Center.
If you attend the swearing in ceremony, you probably will not be allowed to cross Pennsylvania Avenue to get to the American Sectors. You will have to take Metro from the L'Enfant Plaza station (Maryland Ave., S.W., between 6th and 7th Streets.) Take the Yellow or Green line to Gallery Place.
The purpose of our getting a permit is two-fold: To provide a safe haven for Bush supporters and other conservatives and to express our support of the President, our troops and their mission fighting the war on terrorists.
The anti-American left will be trying to send a message of support to their terrorist friends in Iraq and elsewhere with their protests. The media will gleefully aide them in their endeavor. It is our job to use our space to send a patriotic counter-message.
As always, the D.C. Chapter's rules for protesting will be in effect. Briefly, they are: No violence, no profanity, no racism, no provocations, obey the law and treat all law enforcement officers with respect.
Please note, we expect this to be a high stress day. If you can not control yourself and keep a cool head in the face of virulent hatred for our country, then please do not stand with us that day. It is of the utmost importance that the American Sector be peaceful and law-abiding.
Are you going to be able to do a "live" thread that day?
Great, hope everything goes well for everyone. Sure wish I could be there. Maybe I'll get to see everyone on TV.
le bump!
5.56mm
We're allowed to bring our cell phones, so we should be able to call in live reports.
I'll be with you in spirit.
Okay. Next time.
BTTT, Wish I could be with you all. I'm sure you will honor the historic occasion well :-)
Ping!
Ping!
Kristinn, and the rest of you working on this---many thanks!
Big bump!
I look forward to meeting all of you folks there.
We'll need some volunteers willing to give us their phone numbers and post/bump the live thread throughout the day. Anyone who would like to take part in this effort can contact me or Kristinn.
Bigger, bolder BUMP! :-)
Howzzat? :^)
Can somebody take a laptop with a wireless card down there beforehand and see if you get a signal? Are laptops legal during the parade?
I wanted to go, but we have other commitments the day before.:(
Howzzat? :^)
Loud and clear. ;-) LOL
If we can come & stand with the American Spectators, what/where/when do we do/go/show up?
I'm in CA and will be bringing a laptop with a wireless card, but won't be flying into DC in time to do this. I am directing your question to Kristinn.....PING!
Great! Looking forward to meeting you there.
LOL, I thought I was posting to Kristinn, sorry.
BTW, I'm in CA too, I am waving, do you see me? ;-)
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.
No problem. :-)
BTW, I'm in CA too, I am waving, do you see me? ;-)
Well, no.......but I am waving back, just in case your eyesight is better than mine. LOL
Nope, don't see you, but I do see 41, 68 and 76, and am proud to see those numbers :-)
I remember four years ago - I was in tears when W took the oath of office. Tears of relief and happiness. I felt as if a yoke was being lifted and relief after the eight years of Clinton.
Wish I could be there - have a great time.
I'm gonna try and see if I can go at least to see the parade.
Just got a new DVD/VCR recorder/player so I can record the Inaugeration while I'm in DC.
You have FReep-Mail!!!!! :o)
THANKS!
I'm in.
Thanks for the pings. It seems I will have to meet the freepers at the Ball. Hubby's business contacts have lined up another location for us to be at during the parade. I have checked a Yahoo map and it doesn't seem to be in the vicinity of where the American sectors are. I was hoping, but also was not sure I would be allowed to come and go from the other location.
I look forward to hearing all about the freeper experiences that night.
Prairie
Thanks!
bump
THANK YOU!
Thanks, Kristinn. I see we will be in front of the future Newseum. Couple questions:
Are there bleachers on that part of the sidewalk and is our 141 x 18 ft. piece of America going to be on the front row?
So you guys are NOT going to attempt to view the swearing in ceremony then? Is there an area where the FReepers are meeting for that? I'm going to have to talk with my girlfreind to try and figure out which area we should go to.
Sixteen years ago I went downtown with two of my sons to watch GHWB sworn in. We could get no closer than standing in front of the Canadian Embassy. That's one block closer than the 600 block of PA Ave. And, there weren't the security checkpoints that we'll have this time. We'll be lucky to even get to our piece of ground unless we get there early, early, early. The Pre 9-11 Inauguration of four years ago was like an armed camp. I can't imagine what this will be like.
FYI
Yes and yes.
Next week, I'll scout a spot on the Mall where ticketless Freepers can gather to watch the swearing in ceremony.
Holiday Inn on the Hill is closest to the Capitol.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.