David Fink/Daily Texan Staff
Posted on 11/16/2001 1:07:16 PM PST by DrewsDad
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| Three-year-old Austin Morrow of Austin waves his U.S. flag while listening to "Stars and Stripes Forever" at the Rally For America on the Capitol steps Tuesday. Marrow's brother, Parker, sang in the Austin Children's Choir during the rally. The rally, attended by more than 200 Austinites, was followed by a concert and laser light show at Waterloo Park. David Fink/Daily Texan Staff |
"We decided we needed an event to send a positive message for the firefighters and policemen who put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms," said Marc Levin, a UT law student and member of the rally's program committee.
After an introduction by state Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, Gov. Rick Perry made an appeal for American patriotism and said the conflict in Afghanistan can only be resolved through American determination.
"This difficult conflict won't be won easily," Perry said. "We will only be successful if American people have strong resolve and support for the soldiers and pilots."
He then recognized diametrically opposed differences between the Taliban regime and the United States. The Taliban destroys objects of faith, oppresses women and teaches "hatred rather than understanding," he said. But in America citizens worship freely, women serve as leaders and "we recognize no class or status," Perry said.
Perry then urged the audience to continue to show its patriotism and unity.
"Our
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| Joshua Jeffers of Amarillo listens to the Austin Children's Choir from behind a line of Capitol Police at the Rally For America held at the Capitol Tuesday. David Fink/Daily Texan Staff |
The event also remembered Texans' losses on Sept. 11. Speaker Marty Fangman of Keller, Texas, whose brother Robert was a flight attendant on the United Airlines flight that crashed into the World Trade Center, shared fond memories of his brother. He also insisted that Americans hold U.S. leaders accountable for seeking out those responsible for the tragedy.
"I urge you to stand solidly behind the armed forces," he said. "We need to ensure our generations are not the last to enjoy the freedoms we provide."
But not all present at the event were in agreement with the tone of the rally.
The Campus Coalition for Peace and Justice and other anti-war advocates began with a march to the Capitol, chanting, "Bush says war! We say no! This racist war has got to go!" Protesters then gathered behind the rally audience members, where they held a "casualty drop" in which they laid upon the ground to demonstrate the loss of civilian lives in Afghanistan.
State Representative Rick Green, R-Dripping Springs, reminded the audience of the importance of putting political differences aside and standing united as Americans. He then told the anti-war demonstrators and members of the Campus Coalition for Peace and Justice that their protests wouldn't be allowed in Afghanistan.
Christina Carter, who attended the rally, said the rightist rhetoric of the speeches bothered her, Green's speech in particular.
"He shouldn't be using the event to create patriotism or nationalism," she said. "Violence isn't a solution for anyone."
James Hornung, a communication sophomore, said he found the anti-war protesters' presence unsettling.
"This is a rally of unity, kind of a memorial service. They have a right to say what they want to say, but this is not the time and the place for them to say it," Hornung said. "It takes away from the unity and memorial of the event."
Also speaking at the event was Austin's Mayor Gus Garcia.
Rally organizers also hoped to raise money for an Austin memorial for the victims and heroes of the Sept. 11 attacks.
The primary event sponsors included the Collegiate Network, a nonprofit organization that provides financial and technical support to alternative college publications and the Austin Review, a local alternative publication, Austin radio station KVET 98.1 FM, the East Austin 6th Street Community Association, ArchTelecom and SuperCuts.
American-Statesman Staff
Wednesday, November 14, 2001
Red, white and blue were the colors of the hour Tuesday afternoon as politicians, musicians and other local personalities gathered before a patriotic crowd on the front lawn of the Capitol.
The Rally for America featured Gov. Rick Perry, Austin Mayor Gus Garcia, state Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, and others leading a group of flag-waving patriots through an hour of support for the United States.
A brother of a flight attendant who died aboard the United Airlines plane that crashed into the World Trade Center recalled his loved one's life, and the politicians proclaimed their support for the U.S. government and the war on terrorism.
"Our support will never waver," Perry told the cheering crowd. "This battle is not to the swift, but to the resolute. . . . We stand united with our president, our Congress and our military."
Nearly everyone in attendance waved a U.S. flag.
Ah Chowdhury, representing Bangladeshi Americans, carried a large sign reading, "When America Hurts, Bangladesh Cries." The sign was cheered by the crowd.
Yet even as the supporters' cheers echoed in one ear, the bullhorn chants of war protesters echoed in the other. Dozens of protesters carrying signs with anti-war slogans marched to the rally. Many of the signs indicated the demonstrators were allied with the International Socialist Organization. Other signs were homemade, drawing attention to the deaths of civilians in Afghanistan.
Texas Department of Public Safety officers quickly formed a line between the protesters and the supporters of the rally, and the rift was apparent throughout the event. At one point, the protesters beat drums and all fell to the ground, contorted in deathlike poses, in what one organizer called a "casualty drop" intended to symbolize those dying in the war in Afghanistan.
"We're not protesting; we're trying to add our voice as Americans to say that not everyone is behind this war," said protest organizer David Peterson, a University of Texas senior.
The patriotic rally was conceived by the Collegiate Network, a Maryland-based organization of student publications. The network contacted James Logan, executive editor of The Austin Review magazine, to organize the event with the help of the Travis County Republican Party, KVET radio, the News 8 Austin television station, Arch Telecom, University of Texas student government, the East Sixth Street Community Association and several state officials.
Logan said it was the first rally of its kind, but he hopes it will inspire other rallies nationwide.
After the rally and music performed by the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble, the UT Concert Chorale, the Austin Children's Choir and the Covington Middle School band and choir, the audience moved to Waterloo Park for a concert including performances by artists Gary P. Nunn, Reckless Kelly, James Hyland and Cory Morrow.
You may contact Alex Taylor at ataylor@statesman.com or (512) 445-3863.
Even the [un]American [mis]Statesman had the protestors pegged as a bunch of socialists.
Please add your thoughts.
Don't it just make your blood boil! You know freedom of speech and assembly are guaranteed(I know, I know) by the BoR NOT by patriots rallying for our country and our military. Makes you want to open up a big 'ol can 'o Texas WHOOPA$$ on 'em. But it appears the state troopers were well positioned to discourage any, uh, lessons compliments of patriots.
These colors don't run...LET'S ROLL!!!
FGS
Some of us went to the continuation at the park afterwards. The band put on a fabulous partiotic laser show.
Christina Carter, who attended the rally, said the rightist rhetoric of the speeches bothered her, Green's speech in particular.
How do you think Christina would enjoy a stay in Afghanistan? I guess if one considers talking about the Declaration of Independence as "rightest rhetoric", maybe she should start searching for a country more to her liking.
A lot of these folks are socialists just trying to disrupt our form of government. Calls for peace are only a smoke screen.
"Pacifists are among the most immoral of men. They make no distinction between aggression and defense. Therefore, pacifism is one of the greatest allies an aggressor can have." by Patrick Henry
Their signs read: "Killing Innocent People is the Problem, Not the Solution."
I have to agree with this in a way..... the problem is THEY killed 5000+ of our PRODUCTIVE human beings who were minding their business carrying briefcases to work. They sure have a strange way of showing support for these businessmen, businesswomen.
http://www.knfo.net/signs/pages/signs.html
Every FReeper should bookmark it for future use!
And maybe he can work your excellent quote into a new one, DrewsDad.
It seems some people are born to whine. Some people are born to tear down things others have built. Too many times, they're the same people. She's one of 'em. They offer NOTHING constructive, and if it weren't for the liberal rags and networks, their message wouldn't make it across the street.
A lot of these folks are socialists just trying to disrupt our form of government. Calls for peace are only a smoke screen.
My take as well. Again, great job representing those that couldn't be there.
These colors don't run...LET'S ROLL!!!
FGS
This was before Rick Green and I told them that it proves America is still working. I don't like their message but they have the right to say it.
My 1st real intro to the Constitution was why do we allow Nazi's here when we fought a war to get rid of them? and so I learned about freedom of speech.
BUT I did say that they were organized by the Socialist or Communist party if the reporter would do the leg work and get to the organizers of the anti-American people they would find that was true. And then read the sign where they bluntly said it was the Socialist Party Workers.
But we were also talking about how well the Anti-American crowd behaved. He said that he reminded them of how well WE behaved freeping them when they had the permit at the Captitol. And he expected them to do the same.
I guess our mostly good behavior that day paid off and kept them from drowning out our speakers. I know we had a difference of opinion of how loud to get that day, this might be a partial answer.
That gave me the chance to go for my signs. I walked up to an older couple and the man said the best sign was tooo big to put on one so I handed him my sign shortened to fit a sign and he held it the whole time. "Evil wins when good people do nothing"
Verona and I stayed close to the protesters turning our signs every now and then.... just to irritate them. Hope it worked.
Thanks to the Children's choir and the UT choir. It was great.
Your enthusiasm is VERY contagious. Thanks bat. It's a pleasure to know you. Love your patriotic painted dune buggy also.
(For those of you who don't know The Bat Lady, she really, truly IS a bad lady. Austin is a bat haven and she's a city expert on their habits and care.)
Of course, the brainless socialists have to mar it with their idiotic twaddle. Why haven't they realized that the war IS about the loss of innocent lives - those of the people in the WTC, the Pentagon and in the 4 airliners?
I miss you guys and am looking forward to getting back into action in a few months - 18 weeks to be exact!!!!!
Way to go guys!
I'm sure you made a little typo there, Gracey--but probably some of the socialist protesters did think the Bat Lady was pretty bad when she kept turning her sign for them to read--LOL!
I thought this event was very moving. I also think that Rep Rick Green gave a wonderful speech, and it appeared to me that some of the socialists were taking in what he was saying. I got the feeling that for some of them, this was the first time in their lives that they had ever heard much about our Constitution, or World War II, or even Pearl Harbor! Just maybe, some of them will be bright enough to look for further information and begin to understand that good Americans have died to defend their right to free speech.
I was also particularly touched by the attendance of the group from Bangladesh. I spoke for quite a while with these people, and I can guarantee that they truly love this country and are happy to be here.
Interesting word that: 
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One entry found for contumacy. Pronunciation: k&n-'tü-m&-sE, -'tyü-; 'kän-tü-, -tyü-, -ch&- Function: noun Etymology: Middle English contumacie, from Latin contumacia, from contumac-, contumax rebellious Date: 13th century : stubborn resistance to authority; specifically : willful contempt of court |
A little civil disobedience is good for the soul?
These colors don't run...LET'S ROLL!!!
FGS
I've also seen Contumacy on campus at ACC.
Yes it is, and now that I have read through the whole copy I got, I must say that I am very impressed with these young writers. Thoughtful and informed articles on a varity of issues we all talk about. GREAT MAG.
and yes that is BAT not bad. Well sometimes bad but always batty.
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