Dear Mr. Barnes,Regarding your 3/11/04 story "Anti-war rally planned":
I read with bemusement Chuck Fager's statement that he is "concerned about the potential for violence". Well, the Free Republic Network has been organizing numerous and varied protests around the country since 1998. In that time, I have not heard of one assault or arrest of any of our members.
The only potential for violent confrontation will be that inherent in the nasty, combative tactics of the A.N.S.W.E.R. members. They are one of the activist groups organizing the main event. One firsthand account of how they operate can be found here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/917334/posts
I personally helped organize two pro-military events in Raleigh last year: one counter-protest of an "anti-war" rally on February 15, 2003, and our own (stand-alone) "Rally for America" on March 22, 2003.
At the February rally our members, though obviously in opposition to those across the street, did not exhibit violence at any time.
This was in sharp contrast to the so-called "peace" marchers who hurled obscenities and abuse at us (in front of children) and were generally harassing us. I will be only a participant at this upcoming rally, but I expect more of the same bad manners and shouting-down from those who claim to value tolerance and freedom of speech so highly.We are a peaceful, family-oriented group that only wishes to exercise our own First Amendment rights. None of us are "pro-war", but we believe that it's entirely honorable to support this war. Despite the fever-swamp rhetoric of the "anti-war" groups, this is a war that liberated millions of oppressed Iraqis from the murderous ravages of a cruel tyrant.
I look forward to hearing your reply! Thanks for mentioning Free Republic in the article. One correction: the actual name of our group is the Old North State Chapter of the Free Republic Network.
I do not speak for the entire Free Republic Network, but I believe the sentiments expressed above would be agreed with by most of our members.
Kind regards,
(Constitution Day)
I'll say it again, they love to scare kids. They curse in front of children, they call people names in front of their kids and they tell kids things that kids should not hear.