Activist WA State ROCKS – 2500 person rallies, TV, HOW TO’s

Self | 02/23/03 | Libertina

[Libertina]

Who would have thought that conservatives, much less conservative activists, could inhabit the land of Osama-in-Seattle Murray and Jim McDermRAT?
But this is the happy truth in Washington. And these once-quiet voices are now out in the streets every Saturday standing up for their Commander-in-Chief, supporting troops with flags flying, and being wowed in turn by thousands of other previously quiet patriots who wave wildly and play their horns like energetic marching bands.

[Libertina]

How did this all come about? A woman supports troops for 12 years. A Puget Sound FR Chapter Freeps every liberal bigwig and cultivates media friends. Nothing gets real traction. But in a heartbeat, timing and opportunity converge on a grandmother who has a grandson in the Marines. The community radio host, a fellow activist, suddenly sees a story. Not only does he announce the rally, he interviews the grandmother. He and another popular host say they will attend the rally. 1200 patriots and listeners show up. And it rocks! Billed as a Patriotic Support the Troops event, it is pleasant and non-threatening. Hundreds of families with kids and dogs fly flags, smile, meet new people and become friends. The passersby, long denied an outlet of expression for their disgust of Anti-Americanism, go wild honking horns, chanting “USA” and cheering. An American celebration! Not much in-your-face- politics, except for talking to the person next to you.

There is also intelligent marketing. From the beginning, at the smaller rallies, names, email addresses and phone numbers have been gotten on paper. A website is set up. (ron-siddell.com) Press releases are sent out with time, date, location, and emotional storyline. (For members of media who might not understand otherwise.) Parking has been sussed out. Organizers are on-site early. A big bucket holds flags and signs, which ralliers can checkout and use in case they haven’t brought their own. The organizers print bumper stickers and shirts to sell, in cooperation with local artisans. More names and email addresses go onto their list.

After the 1200 patriot rally, the media is shamed on-air by the indignant radio hosts (one who has run for Governor) for not covering the event - and the next Saturday rally is announced. The media has a difficult time ignoring the growing presence and the public slap on the wrist. They attend in greater numbers and send a helicopter. A busload of Vietnamese immigrants who love America come with a long banner and Vietnamese flags. Their banner says “The Vietnamese-American Community Supports America.” The crowd reaches 2000…

Talk radio hosts Kirby Wilbur and John Carlson build a website tied to their newly formed foundation MoveForward.org. Professionally printed Free Iraq signs have been selling and rally details are available.

Next, their community oriented radio station, KVI 570, and its activist hosts (urged on by new station competition, patriotic fervor, and disgust of WA Libs) announce a one-day fundraiser to buy television ads! The station management seeds the pot with $5700 for production and the soundtrack is played. The last sound bite says, “This ad paid for by the Listeners of KVI Talk Radio 570.” In one day (and one to count the proceeds) $100,000 is pledged. This is a first. No other radio station has ever done this. At $100 for a 30-second local spot, liberals will be driven crazy. Its “a good thing.” :)

The next rally is announced - 2500 turn up. And KVI, having built up a close relationship with the popular talk show host Sean Hannity, sends him the spot. It will now be played nationally.

Another email goes out from the organizer to her rally list members. A report, links to the American Legion and other groups who have been working with them, links to organizers, signs, website and mission statement are included. It revels in the amazing turnout and media coverage. Everyone feels like a winner.

This has all gone down in the space of approximately 6 weeks.

Free Republic has better graphics than any I’ve seen. We also have amazingly talented members, good with PR, good with planning, and thousands of successful Freeps under our belts. A lot of success depends on timing and luck, perhaps even on whom God chooses to be His vehicle. Yet, in the retelling of our Washington State tale there are tips that I believe will help others generate the kind of crowds we are seeing. “Making our own luck” so to speak. In this string of events, the Puget Sound FR Chapter is not the primary organizer, but part of a giant wave of conservative energy. We are getting to know people from many areas, passing out FR business cards, and have gotten permission to send out Press Releases announcing our participation in the events. We are connecting with great people and other conservative groups. All in all, “a VERY good thing.”

[Libertina]

[Libertina]

(((( P I N G )))))

[Libertina]

As BadRay requested...
FRee Republic Rally BUMP

[Libertina]

BTTT Pings for you :)

[Libertina]

LOL Well let's try those links again!
moveforward.org

KVI 570 Talk radio

[ezoeni]

The rally in Silverdale was a good one today. Wish I had some pics to post. Lots of people.

[Libertina]

As you wish... ;)

[Libertina]

Time for this FReeper to go to bed. See you in the morning (later.) :)

[Mugwumps]

To all who participated - well done.

[anniegetyourgun]

You guys did a super job! Of course, it sure helps to have the #1 conservative talk radio station in the nation.....

[Ron H.]

Great report Libertina. A classic textbook example of grassroots organizing at its basic (and best) level to achieve a worthy goal. Others around here could learn from the example you folks in Puget Sound have set here. Thanks once again for your courage, dedication and relentless hard work. It has reaped dividends and will continue to in the future.

Other folks in other chapters could well learn from your chapters' example set out here.

Bumpin

[Eaker]

I wouldn't miss the March 1st rally for anything!!!

Hope to see all Houston FReepers there!

Stay safe; stay armed.
Eaker Freeper Status

"The Era of Osama lasted about an hour, from the time the first plane hit the tower to the moment the General Militia of Flight 93 reported for duty."

[Republican Red]

It wasn't just the listeners of KVI that participated. I live in Georgia and heard about their fundraiser on both FR and Hannity. I sent them a check. Way to go guys!

[Chong]

Thanks for the flag. Hope to see y'all at Jones Hall.

[Ron H.]

If you're there then you'll see me.

Bumpin

[Libertina]

Thanks Ron H for your kind words. Love your huge W Sam sign!

[Libertina]

You're RIGHT Republican Red. KVI reported that people listening to Sean's show had donated more than $8,000! Thank you. And the hope is that other stations can use KVI's commercial with their tag line and do the same across the country. We "hard working middle class families" don't have millions of $ each like the empty Hollyweird "stars", but together we are powerful. Infact, the RNC gets the majority of it's donations in small amounts - 25, 50, 100... That means WE are the majority. BUMP for your generous contribution R R!

[Libertina]

BTTT Hi Annie. I didn't know we had the number 1 conservative station in the US. (Though I do love KVI :) But, with due respect, I think that misses the point. What is in evidence here is that people & busineses working together, using multi-media and small contributions SUCCEEDS. This is what everyone can accomplish. I have been trying to introduce this idea to WA Republican fundraiser chairs - to no avail yet. LOL Anyway, if talk show station hosts across the country - and NOT just the big ones, join in, we will have a national campaign going. It took many good ideas, from many people - ALL WORKING TOGETHER

[Libertina]

BUMP Died online .com ROTFLMBO! I checked your status and am overjoyed to see you are still with us ;)

It doesn't hurt to be a plain speaking, interesting interview, or to be retired to get all this stuff done either ;) BTW, The organizers also brought in a banner sized piece of white plastic suitable for writing, and had attached pens hanging down. These signed *masterpeices* will be sent to her grandson's unit in the Middle East. Of course FRee Republic and our USO Canteen is prominently displayed.
Community participation BUMP

[HighRoadToChina]

GREAT JOB!

Awesome Ping for SF! Listen and learn....

[Eala]

Some pictures here (well, they're another click beyond...).

[tgslTakoma]

Excellent photos of a most excellent rally in Washington State!

And these rallies are all being organized on the local level; no funding from Kim Il Jong and Saddam for us!

I love seeing rally announcements and after-action reports posted on Breaking News. This is what FR is all about... turning back the stinky tide of liberalism on a grassroots level.

Keep up the great work in Washington state. We're working hard in DC, too...

And for everybody else in between the coasts... take it to the streets, guys and gals! Get a rally going in your town, too!

Let's rock and roll!

[Badray]

Great report, Libertina. I'm going to send it to my local radio station that hosts the Warroom with Quinn and Rose to see if they want to do something similar here. I am now planning on a trip to join the DC Chapter on March 1. So far, I have 8 people who are interested in joining me, but I only announced it yesterday. I hopeful for more.

Thanks again for all the wonderful info. It's great hearing from you.

[Libertina]

BTTT Best of luck on your rally, BadRay. Whoever is there will make a difference. BTW, tell your local radio station to contact Kirby wilbur and John Calson at KVI Talk Radio 570 (www.kvi.com) in Seattle for info straight from the horse's mouth. I do believe they were willing to share the commercial. It's being produced this weekend - and should be ready to go on Monday :) Let's do this across the USA!

[Badray]

Thanks for that added info. I just emailed Quinn and Rose and will pass this along as well.

Check your FReepmail in a little bit. ;-)

[Publius]

You have now written "The Story of a Freeper Chapter, Part 2". Good work.

[SeenTheLight]

This is truly inspiring! If they can do it up there, maybe we can make something like this happen here in Baghdad by the Bay?

[Badray]

Pinging for local interest. I've alerted Quinn and Rose to see if they want to do something local. Let me know if you are interested too.

[Libertina]

Baghdad by the BayLOL
Thanks Publius, you've been my best supporter and inspiration... Now if you can just help me get those brew parties going again :)

[Publius]

"Brew? Brew? Did somebody say 'brew'?" he said, his ears perking up.

Whatever you need. It's been since January 4, and that's a long time to go without Billthedrill's home brew. Let's do it.

[Eala]

Super report, Libertina!!

[anniegetyourgun]

You're right, of course. I didn't mean to diminish the work of all. It's just that you all have an 'organizing committee' in KVI and for that, count your blessings. I've been 'round lots of these United States and am still convinced that KVI (for as long as she stays on target and doesn't go wobbly) is the best there is of its kind in the country.

Way to go you guys!

[tgslTakoma]

See Libertina's post to Badray (#24).

[Angelwood]

Badray - great news that we'll be seeing you on March 1. Have a safe trip and bring a convoy!

Libertina - wonderful step-by-step report of the action in Washington. It's really inspiring to read how the rallies keep growing and the details on the ad fundraiser are fantastic.

[Interesting Times]

Beautimous.

A bump for reclaiming the Left Coast.

[Libertina]

"Brew? Brew? Did somebody say 'brew'?"
ROTFLOL That's the only way I can get anybody to pay attention!!!! Of course that brings us to the latest round of "Where?" If no one in Seattle wants to "donate" a home, we could go south again... Does Garand Girl still like us? Did we behave well in her home last time? Or how about cmsgop? DIdn't he just purchase a new home and have a house warming but NOT a FReeper warming??? Calling all FReepers, it's time to PARTY! In fact it's almost time for our rerun of the St. Pat's Party at Happy Days!

[Libertina]

You're right, annie. KVI helps tremendously. I just thought perhaps all stations (and people) could do the same. They must have thousands of listeners. Besides, your area has you! Ahead of the game already!

[Libertina]

Thanks for stopping by! I hope all smart conservative stations pitch in and do this.

[Publius]

A St. Paddy's Day party. Yeah, that's the ticket.

I hope we can find a volunteer. It's been 50 whole days since the chapter met.

An old friend of mine (since '89) in Edgewood has been lurking at FR, and I hope to draw her out to come to a FReeper Meet. I used my contacts in the legislature to connect her with a Republican committeewoman in the 31st District, so she's planning to get more involved.

It's time to convoke the chapter. (Better than revoking the chapter.)

[anniegetyourgun]

I live in the lap of liberalism...the wrong side of FL. Besides, the radio here stinks to high heaven. Even the few stations that carry Rush don't know what they want to be when they grow up. Therefore, they choose to bounce back and forth between liberals, conservatives, and a few local yahoos who fancy themselves amusing because they use dirty words on air. I guess they are satisfied to lose audience every few hours, never make community linkages, and take pennies for ad time.

[Publius]

BTW, the DC Chapter has given us a great gift for future demonstrations:

IF OSAMA WAS A PIECE OF ASS, CLINTON WOULD HAVE NAILED HIM

[Libertina]

Even the few stations that carry Rush don't know what they want to be when they grow up.
ROTFLOL! We miss you here Annie! BTW, luv2ndamend has graciously just sent me this link to Capitol Hill Blue. We (WA) are mentioned.

"Rallies were also held in Indianapolis and Washington state, where more than 2,000 people gathered for a pro-war rally in Bremerton, home to a naval station where the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Carl Vinson departed last month."

A negative title was chosen for the piece, but you can read all by mashing here:

[Libertina]

MASH POINT :) Article on rallies

[Ligeia]

Is this your rally? The Richmond, Virginia paper picked up the AP wire service report on a Bremerton rally and put it on the front page of their website! Thousands attend pro-war rallies

[Libertina]

BTTT Thank you so much! That is our rally. We were in Silverdale which is a short way from Bremerton, and the only rally in that area yesterday. Funny, it seems to me they almost discount it by saying it was in a Navy town... Oh well! :)

[Libertina]

That was the TimesDispatch.com site. hmm. BTW, I'm with you on those ribbon colors. And I love How many FReepers does it take to Change a Lightbulb! LOL

[Ligeia]

they almost discount it by saying it was in a Navy town...

Well, it's the AP, afterall. Their other dig is calling the rallies "pro-war." I don't care if they consider them pro-war, but I know other Rally participants do. The RTD does a good job covering our state, especially now with our general assembly in session. Plus, they have one of the most conservative editorial pages left in the country. Their editor in chief, Ross MacKenzie, writes a column for Townhall. I wish a radio host in D.C. would get behind our rallies like others in the country do. That would help with our turnout immensely.

And yes . . .red, white, and blue is the color of righteous anger. No wimpy yellow this time.

[Ligeia]

Oh, the Change a Light Bulb thread...it withstands the test of time!

[Libertina]

No wimpy yellow this time. You are so right! I don't like the PRO WAR thing either, but again, we ned to have the appropriate description. I say PRO-US Security or some such thing. Although sometimes I admit, I wish we'd go and kick some... :)