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.

[Jen]

And most of all, when our troops read about it, they also see ANSWER isn't everybody back home.

Absolutely!!! That's why I'm printing the pix of y'all and your wonderful MOAB - Mother of All Banners - to send to several deployed troops that I correspond with. They need to know that real patriots still support them and our president. Morale is crucial and they need to know about news that counters all the other leftist crap that they read and see on TV.

[finnman69]

Those guys are brave heading into the nest of vipers.

[AGreatPer]

basil, I got "flashed" today, made my day.

This girl came around the corner, saw my sign and pulled up her shirt. I gave her an 8.7. Not bad. Not bad at all.

However, overall, it was just a hoot watching these losers parading and saying the same old, same old.

Nice dinner at Luigi's and a wonderful day. Always good to see Freepers from around the USA. I sat with Dixi Sas. What a Jem.

Great day overall.

We had a smaller group than them but outshined them. It was no contest. You could see the anger in their eyes. They were a mean spirited group.

[Jen]

My DC Chapter Rally/Protest Warrior "Infiltration" After-Rally Report

Not *My* report. That's title of the thread.

[Calpernia]

Thanks Jen!

[basil]

Hey, AGP! I wondered if you had joined them today. I bet it was great. I'm just sorry I couldn't join y'all. It is my contention that all of you were able to change some minds and hearts with your efforts. My motto is "Each one change one", and that is what you were all doing.

[AGreatPer]

I heard that clip Julie, it was Kristinn.

The bottom line for today was that they predicted from 20 to 50,000 for them. NO WAY, giving them the doubt, 5,000. DROP, DROP, DROP in support.

I didn't see the amount of students they have had at other rallies.

C.A.N.S.W.E.R. was reduced today from other rallies by at least 600%.

[Jen]

I read on the ProtestWarrior.com site that they have video of the altercation between ANSWER's goons and the peaceful counter-protesters, including a man and his pregnant wife that they assaulted. The couple filed charges against the ANSWER attacker. I sure hope they can get that on the news!

[AGreatPer]

Becker and Benjamin didn't even go in the parade today. This is a first. They generally have a magaphone on a truck.

Maybe they were scared of the Freepers?

[JulieRNR21]

Then we were a success today. The various reports noted that there was a counter rally supporting the troops and the President. That makes clear that the ANSWER march doesn't speak for the public.

And most of all, when our troops read about it, they also see ANSWER isn't everybody back home.

ABC Radio News reported on the counter rally with the same amount of coverage as the anti-war crowd....they played a voice....sounded like kristinn saying 'we support our President and our Troops......."

Thank you for countering the commie hippie peacenuts by 'booing, holding signs, etc.' and getting media attention!

I will also be emailing that MOAB to soldiers in Iraq!

[Jen]

FYI, following is a media coverage report posted on Protest Warrior site:

< snip >

nbc-
interviewed only answer and no coverage of anti-protests

cbs-
interviewed 3 answer people- one image/interview of a Bush supporter with a PW U.N. American poster behind him

fox-
opened with coverage of both protest and anti-protest
interviewed 2 answer people, mom of soldier who said (paraphrasing)
saddam is gone, there are no WMDs, the job is done- bring my son home!
and then SHOWED the FR rally- with 2 interviews of pro-american guys
and DOZENS OF PW POSTERS being held high
also- fox was the only channel to mention the discrepancy in the numbers of estimated vs. actual answer people there.


< /snip >

[JulieRNR21]

From what I saw on C-SPAN it didn't look like the 50,000 the media was reporting!

Thanks for confirming it was kristinn....it was quite sure it was his distinctive & distinguished voice!

[DollyCali]

I had a hard time finding this thread & the other on Post report AJ. (But that is nothing new, I am still learning my way around the forum.. slow learner , I guess)

Here is link to other thread I found fisrt & also posted at. I was very curious as I wanted to be there but found out to late & had other plans that could not be changed.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1008076/posts

OUTSTANDING JOB ALL OF YOU !!!! ....

I feel badly you encountered actual physical hostility. THe peace lovers surely show their true colors quickly don't they? I do hope all OF YOU are ok & esp the pg woman mentioned

Thank you for pictures... Keep up good work. I hope to be with you all next time!!!

[Jen]

I wasn't there. But I agree that those who were represented FR very well!

[AGreatPer]

Something is happening on attendance for C.A.N.S.E.R. and I don't completely understand it. The bottom line is it is dropping drastically.

Today, compared to past attendance, they passed by us Freepers and my first comment was, "That's ALL????????????." Granted, they still have have a lot more than us, but for them to drop approximately 600% is astounding.

At this point I don't even have a guess as to why. But I do see that they are now charing to get on a bus. There are no more free box lunches. They have to pay from $15 to $30 per bus.

Bottom line: A.N.S.W.E.R. is in trouble.

Exit148 and I were laughing so hard during this rally that we almost peed our pants at the pathetic people they had marching.

They come up to your signs and vent, when you don't respond, they go even nutsier.

[DollyCali]

please put me on a ping list to participate & perhaps help plan in the spring event. I lived in Boston years ago & would love to part of an event there. Sign & dog both present & ready for "duty"

[ladyinred]

The Peaceful ones show their true colors again. They are not the least bit interested in peace, but then, we knew that already. Apparently the media is pretending not to however, as CSPAN et al showed their disgusting display of HATE over and over today. Hope our team is okay, anyone heard?

[DollyCali]

Oh How great the flight suits would have been!

Next time..

really will be nice when the weather gets brisk..

I "think" I met you at the valley forge R for America...

I took lots of pix of the balloon group. I was with my dog Oliver & dressed in RWB. I still have the pix - not only of your group but of the entire rally & want to make sure they eventually get to your group.

some of mine were posted on Glenn Becks site

[Jen]

No FReepers were involved in the altercation with ANSWER's goon security squad and members of ProtestWarrior.com - including a pregnant woman. #$%#@$%@

[ladyinred]

Thanks for the link to PW. I wonder why it was reported that FR was in on the confrontation? Odd, maybe the reporter didn't know who was who? Or is that whom was whom? Whatever, glad to know our guys are okay, and hope all of theirs are too.

Gotta say we all should have been on the streets in our own areas counterprotesting this despicable antiAmerican, heck, Anti Humanity event!