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]

It's a question that many people disagree on.

[Pyro7480]

Here's your eyewitness report. I was with the Protest Warriors when they left the FR rally, right at the end of Bob Dornan's speech. They actually started out later than they had planned. We marched all the way to the other side of the Washington Monument, to the area near the ANSWER stage, close to Constitution Avenue. The main body of the PW group arrived together, while some who walked more slowly arrived soon afterwards. In the "wave" I was part of, there was a spur-of-the-moment singing of "God Bless of America," just to counter the shouting we were getting.

When we got there, things soon got out of hand. Many of the "peace marchers" talked peacefully with us, but when the "security volunteers" arrived in their florescent vests, they began to use a yellow-colored rope (not a tape) to start to rope us off. When more of them tricked into our area, some of the other protesters must have began to felt "safe," so they began to harrass us. One of "security volunteers" actually tried to grab one person's sign, and when that proved unsuccessful, he ripped a large portion of the poster on the sign. The pregnant woman mentioned was shoved, but not really injured.

When enough of their security showed up, they locked their arms together and started driving us towards Constitution Avenue. By this time, I had had enough, and I started giving the "security guards" a Nazi salute, because in reality, they were acting like Brownshirts. One Park Police officer had already arrived and was talking to both sides. Then many more officers arrived on foot and from nearby vehicles and forced us out to the other side of Constitution Avenue. Officers on motorcycles showed up and formed a barrier between us and the "peace" marchers. We formed a line behind the officers so that they could see our signs. We left around 3:30, and walked to the Mall area so that Alan and Kfir could collect the signs, and then proceeded to walk to the Hard Rock Cafe for an early dinner.

[Jen]

Yeah, I wondered too. That's why I was asking FReepers who were there if they were involved.

[Bob J]

There have been previous counter demonstrations where the participants we're urged to "bring the family and have a picnic!".

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks for being there, EV. Details, please!

AntiJen, BobJ - I did send kristinn's original rally thread to DC area Young Republicans and College GOP groups - adding a note to stand up to ANSWER for the troops. I don't know whether anyone responded. Next time, Bob, I promise to add your wise warning not to antagonize the wild animals. Sorry.

[FreedomCalls]

"...there was one unconfirmed report of a pregnant female counter-protester being injured in the fracas."

My fracas hurts just thinking about it.

[EternalVigilance]

I have organized hundreds of large rallies over the years, and know how to count heads. If the commies had 3000 people I would be surprised.

2500 is my estimate.

[Neets]

So I think that kinda reinforces Bob's point.

Even tho the PW's went the opposite direction of the DCC, in the confusion we wondered if any freepers were involved.

That "guilt by association thing?"...

Our side will always be outnumbered by the IAC-ANSWER crowd.

I'm not saying give up on counter-protesting them, but folks should chose their Area of Operations more safely.

I went to one of these in Apr 02...saw some not so cool stuff...that's why I won't go to anymore.

[norton]

They are welcome to join me, I need all the help I can get dealing with an aged mother.

[EternalVigilance]

The pregnant woman mentioned was shoved, but not really injured.

I'm very, very happy to hear that.

[norton]

Note that "we" (I was not there) means "I" am not a part of the group being discussed, and "I" cannot therefore speak for them, and "My" opinions are not directly pertinent to their actions or their motives.

Had "I" been there, "I"'d have at least known that being whipped up on was an option, not a good one unless you are into press coverage and outrage, but an option nonetheless.

[Bob J]

These organizations might have decided not to attend due to legal issues.

[bvw]

Despite that walk into the other-sides rally, it's doesn't mean that ANSWER had license to assualt and batter the group of counter-demonstrators. Yet -- careful Bob J -- for where (at this point, following that attack) you put your concern, is exactly the line of Rendell. Rendell was responsible for order in his city. Yet on the occasion of the visit of Democrat and President Clinton, he asserted that the Adameses were the ones at fault for even showing up. His presumption is one you'd seem to share. The public safety of obvious conservatives and Republicans ends when there's a liberal or Democrat rally in proximity.

[FreedomPoster]

Yeah, that's why I said I was being 2X charitable at 5000. I was in that same range, 2500-3000 as my real guess. Glad to have some confirmation. I bet it gets reported at 50,000 in the Wash Post. +!(*#$)(*%

[Pyro7480]

Yeah, she's 5 months pregnant. I didn't even really notice she was pregnant until later because of the PW t-shirt she was wearing. She's in her late twenties, from my guestimation, and very much on fire.

[At _War_With_Liberals]

Stop whining already.

[Bob J]

Some people aren't aware of that, especially if it is their first rally.

I've been in the middle of what turned out to be a counter protest, and it wasn't safe. Our small group quickly got surrounded while the police were intent on protecting Bush. The more aggressive literally got in our face and started pushing objects at us. One FReeper got a smack in the mouth. It could easily have turned very ugly.

[EternalVigilance]

I'm glad she's on fire, I really am. But sometimes discretion truly is the better part of valor.

She had every right to be there, but personally, I would have recommended against it. There are a myriad of ways for that fire to be used against the enemies of the republic without putting folks like her in harm's way.

That's my take.

[Bob J]

Quit trying to change the subject. It's not a matter of who's at fault, whoever throws the punch is at fault. But if you put people in a situation where you know they may get smacked, don't be surprised and play the martyr when it happens.

The public safety of obvious conservatives and Republicans ends when there's a liberal or Democrat rally in proximity.

Thank you for agreeing with me.

[Bob J]

Stop whining already.

I see. And what would be your response to a young lady who just got a bottle upside her head? Put some ice on it?