Protest Security Personnel/ Counter-Protesters Clash in Washington

JohnnyPNews.com ^ | 10/25/2003 | by John S. Pappas

[Jen]

Washington D.C. - 10/25/03

Counter-protesters were harassed, threatened, and some assaulted by security personnel of the anti-Iraq Occupation rally (International A.N.S.W.E.R.) before police appeared and relocated the counter-protesters in Washington D.C. today. No arrests were reported, but there was one unconfirmed report of a pregnant female counter-protester being injured in the fracas.

The counter-protesters, consisting of members of the web-based ProtestWarrior.com and FreeRepublic.com, arrived at the protest at approximately 1:30PM carry pro-America signs and positioned themselves just north of the stage area on Constitution Avenue, N.W. They had no permit to organize as a group.

The counter-protesters stood quietly holding their signs aloft. The signs, attempts at humor, had slogans such as; "Communism has only killed 100-million people, let's give it another chance, " and "Screw the Kurds, No war in Iraq."

Within 10 minutes of their arrival, security members from International A.N.S.W.E.R., organizers of today's Anti-U.S. policy protest, appeared and began to cordon-off the area occupied by the counter-protesters using yellow tape.

Within moments, members of the International A.N.S.W.E.R. security team began grabbing and destroying the counter-protester's signs, and aggressively shoving counter-protesters. A Johnny P News reporter was assaulted while trying to capture the event on camera. The reporter was struck in the head and his camera knocked to the ground and then kicked by a man standing with the International A.N.S.W.E.R. security personnel. The assailant refused to give his name or answer any questions.

All of the International A.N.S.W.E.R. personnel at the scene refused comment.

Police soon appeared and insisted all of the counter-protesters leave the immediate area.

Members of the counter-protest group began saying that a woman 5-months pregnant with the counter-protesters was injured in the scuffle. Police at the scene however, would not allow access to the area where she was reportedly receiving treatment.

Approximately 60 counter-protesters were on hand during the altercation. U.S. Park Police unofficially estimated the protesters attendance at 50,000.

[Bob J]

This discussion is going no where. Nobody personally attacked you or members of the DCC or your event. We were having a general discussion about the threat and implications of violence after someone reported a pregnant woman was pushed to the ground today. That information turned out to be somewhat inaccurate. The discussion was good and I believe beneficial.

[kristinn]

Yes, Bob, we know how hard you work. Some might say you work overtime.

You choose to sit on the sidelines by discouraging people from countering the leftists when we are at war.

Again, the Protest Warrior bit was not our's. Noone was hurt at either of our events.

Thank you for your time.

Click here for a special message, presented by the Associated Press.

[cargosquid]

Today was my first experience with the Free Republic and the Protest Warriors. I was one of the PW's that "engaged" the enemy. Those of you that were there would recognize me by the desert cami boonie hat I was wearing from Kuwait. There was an altercation at the anti-war rally, but, I did not see the details. I can tell you that the PW's were not even talking to others around them, much less agitating. Actually, many anti-war protesters complained, though mildly, at the brownshirt treatment we got. I was escorted of the field after the rest. I had a reasonable political discussion with someone of completely opposite viewpoint. The problems were the "security".I was "escorted" out, slightly manhandled (as in touching, even after I requested that they not touch me), and they used "rude" language. I asked the man, at least 50 yrs old, if he talked to his mother that way. He shut up. I heard foul language around me while I was polite.
I actually thought we were going to rejoin the Freepers, but, as I'm a newbie, I followed along with my crowd.. Next time I will be there if at all possible. I think a Freeper-PW alliance is a good thing.
We spent the day protected by a line of police motorcycles, while we "engaged in dialogue" with the misguided. I think I got at least one person to listen. An older woman who read my sign about the deaths caused by communism. I asked if she agreed with my sign. She said yes. I then mentioned who the sponsers of ANSWER are and she looked very concerned.
Well, sorry for the long post, thought I would fill you guys in.
Happy to be a new member.

[cargosquid]

Today was my first experience with the Free Republic and the Protest Warriors. I was one of the PW's that "engaged" the enemy. Those of you that were there would recognize me by the desert cami boonie hat I was wearing from Kuwait. There was an altercation at the anti-war rally, but, I did not see the details. I can tell you that the PW's were not even talking to others around them, much less agitating. Actually, many anti-war protesters complained, though mildly, at the brownshirt treatment we got. I was escorted of the field after the rest. I had a reasonable political discussion with someone of completely opposite viewpoint. The problems were the "security".I was "escorted" out, slightly manhandled (as in touching, even after I requested that they not touch me), and they used "rude" language. I asked the man, at least 50 yrs old, if he talked to his mother that way. He shut up. I heard foul language around me while I was polite.
I actually thought we were going to rejoin the Freepers, but, as I'm a newbie, I followed along with my crowd.. Next time I will be there if at all possible. I think a Freeper-PW alliance is a good thing.
We spent the day protected by a line of police motorcycles, while we "engaged in dialogue" with the misguided. I think I got at least one person to listen. An older woman who read my sign about the deaths caused by communism. I asked if she agreed with my sign. She said yes. I then mentioned who the sponsers of ANSWER are and she looked very concerned.
Well, sorry for the long post, thought I would fill you guys in.
Happy to be a new member.

[tgslTakoma]

how would I know? I wasn't there... For all I know

Makes critiquing difficult.

[Bob J]

Hey, good work on the AP pic!

[Little Bill]

"Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorius summer by this son of Bush."

I do try, however, to channel it into productive areas.

As do I, it is called Revolution, Radicalization, and channeling of the American Right, Freedom and the Constitution

[Bob J]

And mine is destroying socialism's command and control.

[kristinn]

It was a team effort. Have a good night. I'm off to bed.

[Bob J]

Fair enough. Since you are one of the planning leaders for the DCC, could you explain to me/us what were the goals for this event and how was success to be measured?

[tgslTakoma]

I'm not a leader, planning or otherwise, for the DC Chapter. I am however, a damn fine sign and banner maker..
AP PHOTO of one of my rally banners, handmade

By looking at the messages on my signs and banners, I think just about anybody could figure out what my goal is.

[Little Bill]

What Bob does not understand is that to be present and to protest an action makes a statement. This statement is noticed and is transformed and the group that makes the statement gains recognition.

FR is, at this time, the DC Chapter, they are the heart and have been since we started the protest thing. They have been very good at getting FR recconized as a political force.

Seeking The Thruth in Florida and his troops were a factor in the elections, but at his time the action has moved North.

We have done a good job of Helping organzing rallies bu not by the FR name, but the action is still DC, until we can get more people active.

[tgslTakoma]

However, this was a cosponsorship

Absolutely and utterly false. You should hit the abuse button on yourself, and have this false and misleading statement removed.

[basil]

The HOT Chapter of FR in Texas has gone up against these idiots more than once. Maybe there are a half dozen of us and thousands of them. We are all alive and well to talk about it--and better yet, we have been known to garner at least 25% of the local news coverage.

We could stay home, of course and let the commies get all of the attention, but we prefer not to do that.

[Bob J]

No offense LB, but your knowledge of FR history and myself, seems to be limited.

[Bob J]

If you'd read any the exchanges between Kristinn and myself over this issue, you'd ask your post to be removed.

[Bob J]

As we have here in LA. But, there is a difference between holding a counter rally to offer a counter argument to their message, and planning to allow protestors from each side to get up close and personal with each other.

The former is strategic, the latter insane.

[Doctor Raoul]

Did you run across the ElectricStrawberry or any other Mass FReepers....

He made the rally and Pershing Park. Was great sport at Pershing. I think part of their lower numbers this time was the fact that we booed them last time. Kind of takes the edge off "the experience".

A lot of their ranks really don't know why they are there. Their commitment is weak, so when they see the other side booing them, they fold on the next one.

[tgslTakoma]

you'd ask your post to be removed.

Which one, Bob? The one I wrote referring to your false/mistaken statement at #40? Your declaration in that post is false, and you should ask that it be removed. That fact doesn't change by your later exchanges with anyone else.

Let it stand, if you want.

[tgslTakoma]

There were a lot of slack-jawed looks as they read the message on MOAB #2 on the hill. Some seemed to have difficulty sounding out the words.