Posted on 03/12/2007 8:17:32 AM PDT by tgslTakoma
The National Park Service has issued a permit for the Gathering of Eagles demonstration and rally on March 17 in Washington, D.C. as illustrated on the Eagle web site “Maps” link under “Sections”.
BOTTOM LINE: AS UNACCEPTABLE AS THE PERMIT GRANTED IS, WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROTECT THE VIETNAM MEMORIAL WALL
We view the permit decision unacceptable and will be taking immediate steps to appeal what we believe is an unworkable decision. If the National Park Service is unfavorable to our appeal, our legal arm will pursue immediate court action to acquire an equitable, realistic solution.
The good news is the Park Service is granting the Eagles large amounts of territory adjacent to the Vietnam Memorial as well as along the march route of the antiwar protesters. We are being given the use of the western side of Constitution Gardens, which is contiguous to the Vietnam Memorial, thus giving us controlling ground. That permit is for an estimated 10,000 people. If things stand as they are, we will use that as a staging area for our people to cycle along the pathways, visiting statues and the Vietnam Memorial which comprise the Memorial area. (The maps are included below for convenience and are also available under “Sections” on the Eagle web site - click on the “Maps” tab and look at maps 1 and 2 for illustrations of areas permitted for each group)
Bad news is the Park Service decided to grant the other half of Constitution Gardens to the so-called antiwar group ANSWER, with a no man’s land in between. This is unacceptable and will be challenged in our appeal.
ANSWER is telling their supporters to gather at the park on Henry Bacon Dr. on Saturday morning for a ‘People’s Assembly’ before their march kicks off at 12:30 p.m. They have no announced plans to use Constitution Gardens anymore–in fact they have removed all mention of Constitution Gardens from their updated maps for March 17–yet they are refusing to relinquish their permit application for that area in an effort to inhibit the rights of the Eagles to assemble in a consolidated location. This will be part of our appeal.
The pathways through the Memorial are narrow and can accommodate about four abreast. We must keep in mind the Park Service is intent on keeping the Memorial open to the general public. Many have plans to stand watch all day in front of the Vietnam Wall, which the Park Service understands, and is working to make sure Memorials are protected while maintaining access by the general public.
The Park Service has granted us demonstration areas along the antiwar march route. Those areas include the sidewalk on the Lincoln Memorial Circle from Henry Bacon Dr. to Memorial Bridge as well as two large grass areas across the street from that sidewalk leading up to the bridge. (Again, review the Maps below)
Also, we have been granted a permit for half of Memorial Circle closest to Arlington National Cemetery on the Virginia side of Memorial Bridge. We intend to occupy this area and serve as a symbolic guard as the antiwar marchers pass on their way to the north parking lot of the Pentagon.
More bad news is that as of now, the Park Service is insisting that we not hold our morning rally/program at Constitution Gardens but that we hold it almost two blocks from the Vietnam Memorial on the other side of the antiwar rally vicinity Ohio Drive, SW. They are also insisting that we stage our First Aid, water station, portable toilets and operations center in the same far off location. This is also unacceptable and will be part of the appeal.
We are perplexed as to what the Park Service expects to happen by forcing Eagles to move through, near, or on the sidewalk along the antiwar rally in order to visit our two main gathering areas as currently permitted. This would create a near intolerable situation, particularly for disabled or others with limited mobility. We have asked for the entirety of Constitution Gardens for the day so that we can contain our main operations to one location, for obvious reasons.
It appears the anti-war ANSWER group want their population in a single area for ease to begin their march… Eagles want our population in a single area for ease of control and facility support….in short both groups want to be separated from one another. The Park Service solution fails to meet the common sense and public safety test by creating a potential conflict. As mentioned above we will be appealing this permit decision on Monday 12 March, 2007.
We hope to have the issue favorably resolved in the coming days. In the meantime, please review the maps posted detailing where things stand at this time as permitted by the Park Service.
In any event, our gathering location vicinity the Vietnam Memorial wall as shown on map 1 is not expected to change..also note the metro stops on map 2.
We have a mission on March 17. We will accomplish that mission.
Eagles Up!
..if that is what the park service wants, I have no problem facing them head on but making it difficult for the handicapped is inexcusable.
This is a government bureaucracy What makes anyone think that there is rhyme or reason to their stupidity?
Methinks there is a vocal liberal voice(s) in the National Park Service.
If you have never freeped, the time is now.
It seems to me that we will have many older, disabled veterans in whose honor these memorials have been erected. Why is the Park Service making it difficult/impossible for them to stand watch? As one Freeper posted, at their age many of them need immediate access to porta-potties. What are they supposed to do--water the grass? ANSWER said they have the very best lawyers money (tainted) can buy--looks like they've outrun us so far. This is totally outrageous. Just remember what Winston Churchill said...
The National Park Service has the authority to grant permits, put limits on permits, deny permits, and, apparently, make incredibly stupid decisions in the process.
I have to wonder if the NPS person who wrangled this mess together wants to see trouble happen on March 17th.
Wasn't sure if you saw the area allocated to GOE by the National Park Service; here's a ping
If this happens in "no man's land" there is no way the NPS will be able to stop the collision of two cultures, and resulting riotous behavior.
The NPS would be better off allowing the Eagles to surround and protect the Viet Nam Memorial. That way, there would be no open venue in which the sides could meet and do battle, and the Liberal SOcialist Moonbats would go on their merry way with very minimal conflict.
The NPS is setting this up for conflict either on purpose, or because those in control of the NPS are inexperienced and slightlly stupid. If NPS is doing this on purpose, they mean to have a large contingent of riot police and national guard ON CALL, in order to fan the flames of the cultural war, and polarize the nation further.
It would have made much more sense for them to have the areas labled A, B, C, D and the Good Guys in that area and all of the ares to the east of the Wall. That would also mean our troops could share the duty at the Lincoln Memorial, without crossing their line of march.
I got a Baad Feeling about this. Not about any violence per se, Our guys and gals will kick ass if it comes to that, but how the Drive By Media will portray any "scuffles". The DBM is much more firmly in the Traitor column that the were even back the Vietnam era.
Pinging for updates. I'll get to DC from Tennessee about 5:00am and after parking, I'm heading straight for the Wall. Hopefully, I'll run into some Freepers and Eagles who'll help me and the other vets I'm bringing to get setup for a vigil.
any chance of getting there Friday night for Walter Reed FReep? You will be glad you did if you can leave earlier
I hope you folks will be at Walter Reed Friday night & at the wall on Saturday.. There is NOT a better way to spend this weekend.
Thanks for the ping. I'll try and swing by Friday evening and bring along my little girl, my daughter, who's in town.
Great stuff Freepers!
I thought you might like to see this.....see you early Saturday morning!
VirginiaMom
lots of little miracles must fall into place for me to attend, but I am ever hopeful
Great you will bring your daughter!
Ooo la la. :-)
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