After Action Report - Rally For America, Houston, TX (1 March 2003)

01 March 2003 | PetroniDE

[PetroniDE]

It seems a lot of people, Freepers and just ordinary Americans alike, are sick and tired of the lies and propaganda that the anti-American crowd has been forcing down the throats of the American people. In a rally earlier today at Jones Plaza, located in downtown Houston, TX, a crowd estimated at over 10,000 people showed their appreciation for their President, their freedom, and the brave people (i.e. the military) that protect it.

Before I begin the rally recap, special kudos to talk radio station KPRC (950-AM) for organizing and sponsoring this rally; in less than two weeks, they lined up speakers and musical entertainment, while dealing with all the messy logistics that a successful rally requires. Another person who also gets kudos is Glenn Beck, who was in San Antonio earlier today for a similar event. KPRC carries his radio show and it was his rally in San Antonio that prompted KPRC to do the rally today.

It was a beautiful day for a rally with cloudy skies (no rain) and temperatures in the mid-60’s. The noon start time didn’t deter one Freeper (PetroniDE) from doing a Sheila Jackson-Lee imitation. He arrived at 8:00 am to put together the large “We Support Our Troops” banner in a strategic location (he also nearly performed a Ted Kennedy imitation since he was driving the wrong way down several streets; he is a Yankee; lucky he knows how to drive at all). Vintage military vehicles on display for the rally arrived at about 9:00 am and some time was spent on the balcony of Jones Plaza with the large banner on display for passing motorists.

The massive crowd began to arrive around 10:00 am. Some assistance was provided regarding building of the large balloon rainbow. Jones Plaza was basically completely filled by 11:30 am. Several people with large signs began walking around Jones Plaza in circular formation; by then a few other Freepers had arrived and joined in this makeshift parade. Anyone in Jones Plaza by 11:30 saw the banner, and the FreeRepublic and HoustonLiberty signs below it.

A sampling of other signs spotted at the rally. Some humorous, some with more serious themes.
- God Bless America. Thank God Al Gore is Not President.
- Martin Sheen: You are NOT President, You Only Play One on TV.
- Texas Terrorist Hunting Permit; No Bag Limit; No Tagging Required.
- We Have Nothing to Fear, Except Fear Itself, FDR, 1941; Let’s Roll, Todd Beamer, 2001.
- Liberate Iraq, Just Like We Did France.
- Babes Back Bush
- Numerous people showed up who have family members in the military and are currently stationed overseas; most of them had photos of the loved ones in uniform.

The following people gave speeches.
Pegi Ivancevich (Regent, Daughters of the American Revolution, San Jacinto Chapter)
Dan Pastorini (Former Houston Oilers Quarterback)
USAF Retired Major Ellis Buchanan (Formerly of NATO Command). During his speech, there were three flyovers by retired Air Force personnel. Michael Berry (Houston City Council). Kudos to him for voting against the anti-war resolution in Houston City Council earlier this week.
Kevin Brady (US House Deputy Majority Whip)
Tom Delay (US House Majority Leader)

Two other people gave speeches at the rally. In a major surprise, U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee made an appearance and gave a speech. The crowd response was mixed (some polite cheers and some boos), but considering that the crowd was nearly all conservatives, this was a polite response. KPRC stated up-front that this was a pro-America rally and politicians from both parties would be invited to speak (trying getting that from the other side). The other surprise speaker was Ahmad Hassam, a personal friend of moderator Chris Baker, who immigrated (legally) to this country 24 years ago and is grateful to today call himself a citizen of the U.S.A.

One funny moment at the rally involved musical artist Kevin Black. Twice while playing his first song, the speaker system went out, just as he was hitting the song’s highest note. System went out at the exact same moment both times.

The Houston Police Department estimated that about 10,000 people attended the rally in support for America. However, the anti-American crowd tried to make their presence felt; a grand total of 6 (five on one hand plus one on the other for the liberals reading this) arrived to counter the rally. One Freeper (Ron H.) confronted them and essentially told them to “stick it”.

After the two-hour rally, local radio talk show host Pat Gray posed for a picture with our banner. Several Freepers, including Humblegunner, Flyer, Eaker, and RetiredAFWarrior had cameras and took some excellent pictures. Afterwards, most of the Freepers stopped by Griff’s for some post-rally celebration.

List of Freepers Attending Rally
Action-America
Allegra
Anymouse
Bobbyd
BuffyT
Carlo3b
Dix
Eaker
Flyer
Houmatt
Humblegunner
Humidston
IamRight
Janette
OllieMB
PetroniDE
Rejoyce
RetiredAFWarrior
RikaStrom
Ron H.
TxLady
Xenalyte
Zboa

If any other Freepers attended the rally and are not mentioned above, please mention so on this thread; I apologize in advance for any omissions, and kudos to all whom attended.

[Humidston]

Welcome back, Uncle Sam 27! I wish you had been able to hook up with the gang. We'd have enjoyed that and we would've made you feel welcome! Next time?

...Ain't nothin' better than FReeper brothers and sisters!!!

[Nita Nuprez]

I really wish I could have been there. I'd love to see you again, too.

Thanks for all the photos!

[bobbyd]

OUTSTANDING...FReepin' OUTSTANDING!!!

Thanks Dennis.....great pic.....great people.

What a grate pic...I'm series

[Texan64]

First: Dear Ladies and Gentlemen Freepers, I wish to meet with you all sometime.

A dear friend, a true good believer, dragged me to the rally after I had worked all Friday day & all Friday night till 8 AM Saturday. I did not sleep at all and returned to my Sat. PM work without rest, but IT WAS DARN WELL WORTH IT!!! We wish we had brought the digital camera. Thanks to all of you who did, and posted the photos.

We arrived at noon and there was no access to the interior of the plaza. It was packed full of Patriots! We had parked 11 blocks away. We were able to walk around to the back of the stage and climbed up on the surprisingly available back wall behind the railing and thus had a ‘Back Stage Pass”. Others joined us and we helped them up the wall. There were many people behind us, outside the plaza and on the sidewalks. I doubt they could hear the program, but they were out there waving their flags and signs, with kids, strollers, dogs and all. What a bunch of decent folks we all are. There were many people walking the sidewalks around the plaza and many people leaving as there was no more space. Had the venue been larger, the attendance would have been larger. We conversed with Chris Baker who was most happy at the turnout and thanked us for coming and for our support. Kevin Black was cheering up with us, in-between his participations and also joining us in the civil heckling of queen shiela.

It must be said that queen shiela was NEVER IN ANY DANGER FROM ALL OF THE MOST DECENT PATRIOTS. This megalomaniac always has a police escort of at least 2 HPD officers. All the appropriate and deserved response to her was verbal and with absolutely without vulgarity.

Please note that the only reason the queen shiela was allowed to speak, was because Chris Baker and Pat Gray were true gentleman. She arrived halfway, (late as usual) through the program. As in respect to her being a congresswoman, they allowed her an unscheduled opportunity to speak. Poor queen shiela had to get her mug on the cameras at any cost. I must say that I did not hear one cheer for her, (contrary to that reported by the Houston Comical, where they report some cheers for her???) I don’t know who the man with her was, but he at least had the decency to stand up when everyone else didand she was sitting.

When queen shiela departed to her motorcade with her HPD escort, one media crew attempted to interview her. All of us Patriots near her while departing the plaza gave her a serious but civil booing, inconveniencing the media crew and embarrassing her departure. The HPD escort was somewhat nervous and insistant in urging her to expedite her exit ASAP, but she had to get her face in front of that last camera. All in all, we were very much more civil than the liberals, leftists and anarchist peacniks are, and I still can not figure out her reason for having attending this event.

After witnessing and participating in the day’s events, we were all pumped up and ready for a celebration toddy, so we went to my house. I now wish we had gone to Griff’s.

I hope that we can all do this again soon, and in a larger facility, and with more time for planning and getting the word out, AND WITH co-sponsorship from KSEV… who should have helped get the word out for this rally.

God bless you all! And Salud! to all you Freepers who put forth so much efforts!!! And to all the other nationwide Freeper ralleyers, The Same!!!

[humblegunner]

A Houston police officer offered, "these participants are a far cry better, comparing the mostly hostile gathering of sourpussed, antiwar, anti-everything protesters that graced the same location a few days earlier", and "today's event was dramatically happier, safer, and larger, maybe 4 times larger, and damned sight cleaner.." HA!

I love it.
I was pleased to see you there, it was an amazing event.

[Houmatt]

Just to let you know...that last picture I like. Really I do. In fact, I am using it as a background now.

[humblegunner]

Thank you for being there!
And to think I was worried about a low turnout... sheesh!

[deport]

Great Job Houston Area Freepers.......

[Doctor Raoul]

Great work Houston. Thankn you all for being there.

[humblegunner]

FReeper Babes!
RikaStrom, Xenalyte and Allegra..

[MeekOneGOP]

Is that what you call a "Rally Cat", as opposed to an 'alley cat?' ...

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks for all the pics !! Good job, Texas FReepers !!

[Humidston]

Next time, Texan64. We'll catch you next time!

And thanks for the great summary. Re-Joyce just called again and I thought your story about Sheila was so good I read it aloud to her.

BTW, Re-Joyce has several first-person stories about the Queen which have caused Re-Joyce to develop an intense dislike for that phony woman, LOL!

Queen Sheila is a pit viper. Re-Joyce said if Republicans and whites could hear what Sheila says about us in black churches, the entire rally would boo her too.

[MeekOneGOP]

Great pics. Thanks ! ...

[MeekOneGOP]

FReeper Babes!
RikaStrom, Xenalyte and Allegra..

Howdy ! ...

[proud2bfree]

Hi,
I was one of the gals that started the parade at the plaza. Here is a link to my pics. I was standing towards the center of the plaza with a good view of the stage at most times.
http://photos.yahoo.com/goodheart_72_97
I saw the signs about the FReepers and the Free Republic and was curious; so I found your website. Let me just say: Way To Go!!!
Saturday just meant so much to me. I wanted a public show of support for our troops, and we definitely got it! I wrote to all the networks hoping they would broadcast it (as I'm sure many of you did)
I can't believe SJL showed up! You have to admit, she's got nerve......course she likes to be on camera.
My dad is a Vietnam Vet. He worked in the engine room on the USS America. I wanted him to come with us yesterday, but he was afraid he would get in a confrontation with some anti-war moron. I think it would have done his heart good to see it. He is the one responsible for the great love of Country that I have.
God bless you men and women who have served and protected our freedom. Without you, we wouldn't be able to have the freedom of speech that we have today.
WHOOP!

[Humidston]

Welcome, proud2bfree! And I loved the pictures!

Our "thread" is almost completed, so I don't know who else will see your post, but trust me - we all hang out here for the latest news and information.

Did you know FR was THE place where the shuttle break-up was reported first in the nation? Yep! The Wall Street Journal even printed that fact. FReepers are all over the world and we are all major news junkies so we're never far from our computers.

Anyway, stay in touch! Hang out here awhile and if you have any questions, just punch that "Private Reply" button below my name. That'll take you to a super secret location where you can communicate with the person's name above Private Reply. We all try to be helpful to what we call, "Newbies" LOL!

[Eaker]

Here is a quick link to Petro's commentary and some pictures.

Rally for America

If anyone would like additional pictures added or linked let me know.

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."

[dansangel]

A little late to the party, but I wanted to tell you all how ***awesome*** you are!

God Bless you all for all that you do. The pictures from the Houston Rally makes me swell up with pride. Extremely moving and beautiful....wish I could have been there!

{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}} to all of you! You guys absolutely ROCK!!!

[dix]

Welcome home. We’ve been expecting you, and you are going to love it here.