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.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thanks Jen.

Bump!

[Jen]

Hi Vets! Thanks for your post. I agree with you about the Protest Warriors. I'd join them in the streets if I wasn't such an old lady! hahahahaha

[Coop]

You did great work Saturday! I only had to drive/train maybe 20 miles. Your commitment is indeed impressive!

[Flora McDonald]

I got to meet ElectriStrawberry and friend. They were a couple of guys anyone would love to FReep with. Hope to meet you one day also.

[Flora McDonald]

"I felt the spirit of my Father, Grandfather, Cousin, Uncle and other family members who had fought for this country standing with me and holding me straight."

OOH-RAH!

[Flora McDonald]

You guys were awesome! It did my heart good to see so many of you at the Rally last Saturday and I've got to admit that as you left us to confront the ANSWER folk, I was a little wistful.

As far as negative posts go, don't let a few, crotchety, old farts get you down. Stand the storm and hold fast. I hope there will be joint ventures between Free Republic and Protest Warrior in the future. God bless and keep you safe.

[antihippie]

Well we are always looking for new people in our forums, which is also the best way to find out whats going on. Besides the big counter protests many warriors get involved on a much smaller more local level in their own areas. When Micheal Moore of one of his ilk show up in an area we like to have someone there to let them know that not everyone buys the bull. Right now one of our big campaigns involves freedom from the thought police on college campuses ( with a film soon to follow ). So if you have any ideas or just want to talk our forums are always open.

[Jen]

I hope there will be more cooperation between FReepers and like-minded groups such as PW too. When y'all do your protests (we call them FReeps), why don't you or someone else who's also a PW/FReeper post a thread about it to let us know. I bet some FReepers would participate.

[antihippie]

It was my mistake not to post about it on the main board and I realize that now. But in my defense I did post on my state page ( Michigan ) offering a free ride to DC to anyone interested. Much to my disappointment not only did no one take me up on the offer, but no one ever even mentioned it. They just kept posting right past me like it hadn't even been read. Upon seeing this lack of reaction I ( wrongly ) decided that there was just a lack of interest in confronting A.N.S.W.E.R. I realize now that I took the malaise of a few and projected it onto FR as a whole. So mea culpa.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

What blew me away at their website, was they actually went "undercover" with a camera at an International A.N.S.W.E.R meeting to expose these peoples agenda!!

Pretty dangerous, but pretty darn brave too!!

They have the transcript on their site!

[Jen]

I don't know how many FReepers pay attention to their state boards. I'd guess a small percentage though. I rarely ever look at mine because it seems to be just a bunch of chit chat.

Definitely post future FReep opportunities in the News/Activism forum. You can even post them as "Breaking News" to get the most visibility for your thread. Give as much notice as possible and keep "bumping" your thread to keep it on the FR radar screen or it'll get overlooked. Ping me, I'll help you get it noticed. I enjoy being a keyboard cheerleader for FReeps! hahahahaha

Michigan to DC for a FReep is a dang long way to go and I commend you for your dedication! Wow!

FR is much bigger than PW and FReepers have different 'hot buttons' so don't be so discouraged about no one from your state showing interest in counter protesting ANSWER. Also, remember the demographics here are different than PW - we're probably the age of PW's parents and grandparents, for the most part. And some FReepers even act like it! hahahahahaha

(Hang with Flora and me - and the other 'cool' FReepers who have posted to you on this thread.) ;-)

[Jen]

Isn't that amazing! I watched the video and read the transcript and gave thanks that these guys are on the 'right ' side. I'm very impressed with these youngsters.

[Bob J]

Your "documentation" won't show that you alienated them, which you did.

No doubt with a little push from you.

Let me get this straight. The FRN spends a considerable amount of time designing and setting up an inexpensive activism seminar for FReepers put on by a well known and respected conservative organization. The FRN offers to assist FReeper groups in scheduling it, getting a hotel, marketing it, offering it's internet payment site and paying the bills...

...and according to you, we've alienated people.

How about this explanantion.

The FRN does all of the above (and more) and a few disgruntled types spend their time slandering the people involved and vandalizing anything they try to accomplish.

All because Jim booted CAL...for good reason. Oh, by the way, here is her latest. It might be a good topic when discussing your next MC.

"Jim, I KNOW YOU'RE READING THIS, YOU ARE SUCH A LIAR AND SUCH A WHORE NOW, HOW DO YOU ACTUALLY LIVE WITH YOURSELF?"
Cal posted on 2003-10-27 23:44:22 ET

[antihippie]

Well thank you very much for your advice and you can be sure I will follow it in the future. As to my travel we had people who went from much farther away than I did. One 18 year old college student came alone all the way from Maine, one woman flew from Florida and two guys drove up from Dallas, Tx. Also you are more than welcome to let me know what's going on from the FR side of the table, I'm one of the people that wishes something happened every day.

[Jen]

I'll keep in touch. Gonna be gone for a week - vacation in Hawaii. WooHoo!

[Taxman]

Given the concern expressed in several posts on this particular thread re: the relationship between ProtestWarrior.com and the DC Chapter of FRee Republic, your post caught my eye, so I checked out the JohnnyNews.com correction:

"* Johnny P News has received a request from a member of FreeRepublic.com to state the following: "FreeRepublic.com and ProtestWarrior.com are unrelated web sites and have no formal agreement to collaborate in our particular advocacies."

"Johnny P News did not intend to imply that this was a joint action by these groups. The action was planned by ProtestWarrior.com.

"However, it must also be said that members of the group of counter-protesters described in this article introduced themselves as members of FreeRepublic.com."

Hopefully, this will clear the air, and we can now move on to working for our common goal, each in our own way:

Defeating the LIEberal/Socialist/Marxist Bastards who would destroy the United States of America!

I was proud to stand with the ProtestWarriors Saturday, and look forward to standing with the Protest Warriors at many more Rallies for America, our President and our Troops.

[Taxman]

Pingeroooooo!

[Doctor Raoul]

There's a saying, "Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they're not out to get you."

Well this time Bob, they're NOT out to get you.

No doubt with a little push from you.

No Bob, no push from me. I got the word well after the fact.

Let me get this straight. The FRN spends a considerable amount of time designing and setting up an inexpensive activism seminar for FReepers put on by a well known and respected conservative organization. The FRN offers to assist FReeper groups in scheduling it, getting a hotel, marketing it, offering it's internet payment site and paying the bills...

...and according to you, we've alienated people.

We? NO Bob, YOU AND ONLY YOU alienated people. You did it by jumping down the throat of someone who on their own contacted the same organization you did, for the same thing you did. And just because they didn't know of the FRN effort, you jumped down their throat. THAT ALIENATED THEM.

How about this explanantion.

The FRN does all of the above (and more) and a few disgruntled types spend their time slandering the people involved and vandalizing anything they try to accomplish. Bob, how about you tell me how long did it take for you to build that little fantasy world?

I am unaware of anyone, disgruntled or otherwise, who is slandering and vandelinzing your "accomplishment" with the seminar. I AM AWARE that you have been emailing people to discourage participation this Support The Troops Rally. That's low Bob, real low.

All because Jim booted CAL...for good reason. Oh, by the way, here is her latest. It might be a good topic when discussing your next MC.

Bob, last time I even spoke with CAL would be I guess about six months ago and for two minutes. Sorry if you and your projects didn't come up. As a matter of fact, I've never mentioned you to her or did she ever mention you to me.

Bob, you need help.

[Bob J]

Well, you're getting bad information. If anyone told me they had contacted LI about a seminar, all I would have done is tell them to let me contact them and make sure they get the right seminar, right guy (Matt Lewis who did our seminars is gone now) and for the right price. Maybe you should contact this person and ask for the communication.

I AM AWARE that you have been emailing people to discourage participation this Support The Troops Rally.

Prove it (people=plural). The only person I talked to about your rally was JonAlvy and that's because he contacted me and asked if the FRN was promoting it. I told him what I've told you and others, the FRN doesn't recommend rallies that plan contact with ANSWER due to the potential for people getting injured. You don't have to like it or understand why we say that and I don't ask that you do.

As far as the rest, who cares.

[A Navy Vet]

While I agree with Bob about the average good guy demonstrator avoiding and not initiating aggressive confrontation, I would love to be on the receiving end of an unprovoked round-house with the media standing right there, and Freepers taping as well. Talk about media exposure! Be more than happy to take one for the cause. Remember the coverage Don Adams got in Philly?

Maybe it's time we start getting back in these pukes' faces. With Fox News available, the leftist media wouldn't be able to bury, spin, or marginalize. Think I'll check out ProtestWarrior.com