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
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