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.

[ladyinred]

That's because you don't know who your enemy really is

That is sooo true, in fact too many don't know that. I have had the misfortune lately of having to find out who they are, and wish the rest of America would take the time to instead of relying on the white bread definition the media gives them. These are not average Americans just angry about the war, not by a long shot.

[Taxman]

I am just fine, thank you. No worries. We missed you, BTW.

I stayed at the FReeper Rally -- the PW group stayed as long as they could and then went to the A.N.S.W.E.R. rally site to make their point.

Note EV's comments.

[sauropod]

Most of FReepers that attended our rally did not proceed with the ProtestWarriors.

[sauropod]

We had one of their types massively disrupt our rally at the end. Police had to escort him away. Not at all like what PW does. I have it on camcorder tape.

[sauropod]

"...but folks should chose their Area of Operations more safely."

We did, 'Nita.

[sauropod]

ES and friend were there!

[sauropod]

There were some DUh members in the march. I saw them.

[sauropod]

"Our enemy is institutions like the liberal controlled media, Hollywood, higher education, CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS and CNN. It's lefty institutions, organizations and Foundations that provide funding, resources and moral support."

Recognize the phrase "long march through the institutions?"

The problem you correctly recognize is linked to ANSWER by being linked to the communists and by being crosslinked back to our media and educational institutions. Don't you see?

ANSWER and its marchers are covered by big media because they approve of it.

By counterprotesting, we are taking on the institutions that you identify. It really is ground zero.

The challenge is to get our message out using their media. "Earned media."

[sauropod]

"Your congressman doesn't give a crap how these protestors vote."

Tell that to the people with the Kuchinich signs.

[Neets]

G'mornin Pod....


Wasn't referring to the DCC.

[sauropod]

Welcome! Glad you came.

[sauropod]

"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."

How the he** did I miss that?

Some guys have all the luck.

[sauropod]

Mornin' back atcha!

Okies... I misunderstood...

Not enough coffee. < hugs>

[Tijeras_Slim]

Welcome to FR. If you're able to join up with the DC Chapter you are where the action is.

[Aeronaut]

...having a couple dozen go up against thousands is not a very good plan...in my opinion

But..., but..., but they're PACIFISTS!

[maica]

By counterprotesting, we are taking on the institutions that you identify. It really is ground zero.

The challenge is to get our message out using their media. "Earned media."

The commitment of the DC Chapter is to NOT allow anti-American protests to occur unopposed. It is very unsettling to have you, from the opposite side of the country, criticizing their efforts. Yes, larger crowds would be rewarding to our dedicated organizers, but success is measured by Having the Event.

Infighting and factionalism are more of leftie attributes. I don't think it serves FR very well.

A word about the Protest Warriors. Their mission is different from FR. They carry huge (full sheet of posterboard) signs that carry messages which could be read as anti-US until one gets up close and sees the entire statement. These signs today were mounted on 1x2 6 foot long posts.

The Warriors looked like rugby players and Homecoming Queen finalists. They wanted to infiltrate the anti-war protest to engage in thought provocation.

No one was encouraged to go with them.

DC Chapter protest rules allow for families, elderly, non-confrontational types to attend with a reasonable expectation of safety. I don't think it is prudent to ever bring small children to any event where the actions of others are unpredictable.

The true measure of success is in the dwindling numbers who respond to the Beckers and Benjamins.

Bob J, since your focus is 'hostile media' (Bob Dornan's term), I hope you will use your expertise to ask any contacts that you have why there was no coverage of our Rally or of the fantastic visual images of the Protest Warriors.

[Voice in your head]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but what good does protesting do? There are protests nearly everyday, it seems, for damn near any cause that you can think of. It seems like nothing more than a filler for the local news, when they have a slow news day. Whenever I hear about another protest, I think of Rosie O'Donnell getting interviewed by Bill O'Reilly, when she explained why she wasn't going to march in some lezbo-pride protest, because so-and-so didn't march in some gun-control protest. She thinks that protesting equals a legitimate action towards a desired end.

What is accomplished by walking around in public with some sign or banner? Does it change anyone's mind? Does it affect how people vote? Is it just fun?

[Taxman]

EV, glad to see you yesterday -- thanks for coming out.

Sorry we didn't have more time to visit. You seemed to catch me at my busiest moments.

[Pyro7480]

Well, I'm a FReeper and went with the PW's and was in the midst of the whole thing.

[LaserLock]

It seems that assumptions are being made by the disgusting media that FreeRepublic and Protest Warrior are in collusion. Let's not comment about it. Let them make assumptions which will let us see their naked illusions and wishful thinking and contortions of logic.
They have no idea of who and what we are. A group of free-minded and rational thinking Americans :)