CHAMPAIGN-URBANA PRO-AMERICAN RALLY: REPORT AND QUERY

[sparky1]

April 5, 2003;

Hundreds of flags, patriotic music and the Pledge of Allegiance from a powerful PA system manned by local DJs, positive enthusiastic responses from most of the thousands of people driving past, an array of flags from Coalition countries, back-packed coffee urns moving up and down the line of 250-300 Pro-American Troop-Supporting Patriots who braved the cold windy conditions this past Saturday to stand shoulder to shoulder lining a couple of blocks along the East side of Prospect Avenue. Uncle Sam was there as a group of hardy, leather-clad, flag-waving Harley riders. Red, white and blue cup cakes, cooked on the spot hot dogs, doughnuts, and soft drinks were brought, at their own expense, by a number of these big hearted mid-westerns. Flags and flag stickers were passed out to the slow moving traffic-clogged motorists on their way to the huge shopping center and mall located just North of Interstate 74. Local TV stations covered the event and a reporter for the Daily Illini requested interviews. Every passing trucker gave blasts of support from his air horn, as did passing fire trucks. A discreet Police presence was appreciated although it proved unnecessary, as the badly out numbered “opposition” stayed, for the most part, on the North side of the “Demilitarized Zone” as is appropriate for their cause. They looked cold and miserable and got virtually no support from passers-by. You could tell by facial expressions which group was buoyant and which was not. Were this not a big university town, the number of protesters would be scanty indeed.

We are hoping for an even bigger turnout next Saturday and are planning a “Mega-Rally” with film clips and pictures to be sent to our Troops in Iraq. If this support boosts their moral as much as the support of the passing motorists has gratified us, it will have been more than worthwhile standing in the rain, sleet, and cold winds these pasts Saturdays. We look forward to the better weather expected next Saturday and invite anyone in driving distance to join us. The flyers announce the Pro-Rally is to be held 1:30 - 3:30 but some start closer to noon and carry on until 5:30 or 6:00. Interestingly, even three people standing in near-darkness with a flag and a “Support the Troops” sign generates a strong response from passers-by and brought hot coffee from a passing Marine veteran from Indiana. He said that he appreciated the support and thought the coffee would help overcome the chill.

An interesting but, so far, unsubstantiated rumor is going around that the Organizers of these anti-war protests are paid $800 for each protest and that the money comes from North Korea. Has this been verified and, if so, how has it come to be known? Comments and information would be appreciated.

[chicagolady]

Three cheers for another Wonderful Illinois Rally!

[justshutupandtakeit]

A Stalinist group the Workers World Party has been shown to have been funding much of this lunacy.

Way to go there downstate. We have had some counter demos up here in Chicago and they have been great too.

Every day a group of construction workers spend their lunch hour holding flags and posters at the Federal Bldg plaza. I take my little flag down and join them. We get positive responses too.