Conservative Groups Counter-Protest "Code Pink" in Smithfield

Smithfield NC -- A large protest, and a larger counter-protest caused local police to be out in full-force today here. Yet, no violence occured. Harsh words were lobbied to and fro but in the end, the event ended just as it began, passion-filled and peacefully.

Katy's Conservative Corner has a number of interviews, both with the Code Pink and Victims of Torture protestors, along with counter-protestors from a Gathering of Eagles and Rolling Thunder. Up to 40 different groups were represented.

I attended the counter-protest on Saturday as part of a group of patriots who wanted to make sure that the moon-bats’ anti-American propaganda did NOT go unchallenged! What follows is a quick AAR of the event. (A lil long-winded perhaps, but bear with me!)

A few days ago an email was passed along to various patriotic organizations within North Carolina to help NC-GOE develop a counter-protest to the moon-bats planned rally in Smithfield. The appeal went out “under-the-radar” as it were to keep the moon-bats unaware of our planned response. About mid-day Saturday numerous patriots representing NC-GOE, Rolling Thunder, Blue Star Mothers and the supportive public in general began to show up across from the Johnston County courthouse, eager to voice their “concerns” about the rally and the peace-niks who were going to march. (If I left anyone out please forgive my current/ongoing attack of CRS!)

NC-GOE came well prepared, with a multitude of patriotic signs, banners and LOTS of US flags on pvc staffs which they shared with all who wanted one and with which we proudly let fly in the air. (Thanks guys and gals of the NC-GOE! You REALLY made the day a success with your guidance, support and supplies!) MANY of the locals went by in their cars, waving, honking horns and smiling as they offered their support to our cause. A lot of us figured from those responses that the moon-bats had certainly picked the wrong county in THIS state to draw support for their misguided cause(s).

As the time of the march drew near, we coordinated with the local police as to where we could stand, what we could do/not do etc., so that we could deliver a “loud and boisterous” reply to the moon-bats as they marched by. It was decided by the police, (who in doing their jobs were tying to avoid the potential for violence), that our group would stand across the street from the line of march, so as to avoid “physical conflict” with the marchers as they paraded past. Right before it began however, a few patriots decided that the Veterans Monument across the street near the courthouse was in need of protection and we quickly moved there. The police chief indicated with a nod and wave of the hand that we were fine so long as we remained off the sidewalk, allowing the moon-bats free passage.

When the parade began, you could hear the chanting and the beating of the plastic 5-gallon drums. As they neared the courthouse they started chanting and singing louder to TRY and drown out our shouts, challenges AND the car horns that continued to sound out from the street. A look at their signs indicated that they were from different organizations rallying around their dubious cause: Code-Pink, Iraqi Vets Against the War, various church groups and even one from Vegetarians for Peace, (”Peace Begins with NO Meat on the Plate”, I’m not making this up peeps!). They slowly and somewhat sheepishly moved past us, heading off for the rally point at a city park near the river. As they finally passed us by, we in turn decided to march across the street from them, all the while chanting, shouting and challenging the moon-bats with patriotic taunts to their cause.

As they filtered into the park, we were allowed to remain on the sidewalk and street above the area and continued to shout-down the speakers as they attempted a “pep-rally” of sorts. (They even had cheerleaders dancing and leading a “cheer for peace” on stage). We delighted in taunting them about their “Moon-Bat Aerobics”. By far the BEST blow-back came from a patriot who had passed us earlier towing an everglades air-boat. He cranked up his VERY loud boat and dazzled the cheering patriots with numerous passages up and down the river completely drowning out the moon-bat speakers. Sadly, he was told to cease and desist by the local police after a few minutes. (If I could find him, I’d give him a hellacious pound on the back and handshake for his very original response!).

After heckling the moon-bats for most of the rally our group then decided to re-locate to the airfield to make sure that the planned “attack” on the property of Aero-Contractors would be challenged. We lined up as a group near the service gate, talking with the Johnston County Sheriffs who had been sent to make sure that the protest, on BOTH sides, went off without incident. We again coordinated as to what we could and could not do, (if for nothing else to make the job of the LEOs a lil easier), and then awaited the moon-bats arrival. Initially, they clustered near the highway without walking down to the gate, clearly disturbed and puzzled as to how they could get TO the gate without having to face us. Finally they began to move down in driblets, singing some silly song and were forced to pass through us, (a winding path it was too!), up to the gate where they would hang some banners and pictures to those who had supposedly been “tortured” by the US government. Numerous heated discussions followed on both sides of the issues, but NO physical confrontations ensued! (Even though the Deputies DID get nervous and called out the SWAT team for backup!).

Then the moon-bats did a strange thing, they went BACK to the gate and took off the pictures and banners and walked back to the top of the street. (I’m sure they waited until we patriots left and then returned to hang them up once again, so they could claim victory for their cause). A hollow victory it would be however; because PATRIOTS WERE MANNING THE RAMPARTS! Our voices were heard, our cause was supported, and I have NO doubt that the moon-bats’ pucker factor will go up in anticipation of a “verbal roughing up” when they see us again. And there will be a next-time, of that I’m also sure. Because, as I chanted to many of them as they meandered along their lost path, “YOU are stuck on stupid!”

I was proud to be a part of this event. And I was VERY proud of my fellow patriots, who no longer merely shake their heads in sad response to the moon-bats’ attempts to malign our country, our troops and our culture. We spoke up, and we will continue to speak out, so long as our country needs us!

Lee
NCDragon
SFC, US Army Retired
Rolling Thunder, NC-4

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