Posted on 12/21/2004 8:25:30 PM PST by Coleus
Columbia High School, Parker Avenue, Maplewood, NJ Merry Christmas
http://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/admin.htm
Having heard about the event on the Free Republic I decided to go down and check out the action and participate in the “illegal” rally singing those “illegal” religious songs. I arrived about 5:00 PM the time it was supposed to start and joined in the crowd, about 100 people, which was already singing Christmas Carols. We were standing in the middle of the road in front of the school where the police had blocked off the street with barricades and police cars and about 5 police were there for crowd control. It was an easy night for them with no incidents. We were not Counter protested. There was a young lady handing out packets of music containing Christmas and Chanukah songs.
I noticed that just about every NJ and NYC news vans were there (Fox-5, UPN-9, News12, NBC, CBS, ABC, MSNBC) with their cameras and bright lights going. The reporters were out interviewing the crowds.
There was a nice group of black students singing songs and holding signs. They were students in the school who belonged to a Gospel Choir in town who were very enthused and sang very well that complemented the others who were singing. I just noticed the Channel 9 reporter didn’t do them justice, she interviewed them for a few minutes and did NOT show anything on this evening’s news. What a shame, I guess the reporter didn’t like what they had to say.
We sang such songs as: I have a little Dreidel, Silent Night, Joy to the World, Hark the Herald Angels Sing and O Come all Ye Faithful. There were many people of many faiths and political parties in attendance, it wasn’t just republicans who attended.
One person was dressed in a Grinch Costume. Among those interviewed there was Susan Rosenbluth, of the Jewish Heritage Magazine and some students as well as the republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Lonegan who organized the event. Not everyone there was a Lonegan supporter or republican for that matter.
The music director came out and introduced himself and spoke to us for a minute inviting us to attend his Concert and handed out the programs. We chose not too. I asked him if he were a democrat, which elicited no response from him.
I was surprised that I did not see any Knights of Columbus members there with their banners. The National Organization pushes and sponsors the “Keep Christ in Christmas” Campaign and no Catholic Priests or other Protestant and Jewish clergymen were in attendance. Oh, that’s right, the rally involved a “republican”. There was an Immaculate Conception Church down the street, maybe it was dinnertime and they couldn’t come.
The event ended early at 5:30 pm (now I know why, they had to appear on Scarborough Country in Fort Lee) . Many people came afterwards and were very disappointed that it was already over. I met people who came from Rahway and NYC. This poor old guy from NYC came by bus and had to walk a mile or two from the bus stop to the school. When we were about to leave I offered him a ride to the grocery store and bus stop.
Mayor Steve Lonegan, Ambassador Ray Flynn and atheist Ellen Johnson appeared on MSNBC Scarborough Country with Pat Buchanan interviewing them.
Merry Christmas and Eagles Up!
Excellent!
I saw the thread yesterday (or Monday), but it wasn't clear to me which day the protest was going to happen. I would have gone since I live near by. I'm glad there was a large turnout.
Angel, Angel, Angel, with Angel I will play...
Merry Christmas to all!
I find that this constant dispute is not only distracting me from what I really want to be focusing on at Christmas, it is actually creating blips of hostility--the exact opposite of the Christmas message.
Rant over. Congratulations are in order for all of you who participated in this. Let's start out early next year, GW, and plan lots of these.
Maybe it was bingo night?
Many of the people there were from Maplewood. I talked to a lot of people and asked where they were from. Most of the rally information was mentioned on WABC radio on the Curtis and Kuby show and in some conservative newspapers like the Washington times. Here is the fr link and wash. times article.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1304935/posts
You are in the right place to find information regarding activism. You may want to find out from the students who sang with the gospel choir how they found out about it.
Glad to see young people willing to get involved, have you ever thought of starting a bible club or pro-life club in the school? They may give you a song and dance about starting one but they are allowed.
Don't blame the police. Very few cops are liberals.
What I would like to know is how many people actually attended the concert. I can see the parents of those who were taking part going, but If I was part of that school, I would have boycotted it.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah BUMP
Good question, I bet there wasn't that many people there otherwise the MSM press would have reported it.
Rein, dear.
I was there for a little while but had to take an important phone call, so I had to leave earlier than I wanted to. It was a nice crowd though, and while I missed seeing the TV coverage at home there sure didn't seem to be any lacking. Looking into all those bright lights made it darn near impossible to pick out any familiar faces, so I'm sorry if I missed anyone!
What I would like to know is how many people actually attended the concert. I can see the parents of those who were taking part going, but if I was part of that school, I would have boycotted it.
I am a very lousy singer, so be glad that I wasn't there. LOL!
Thanks to all who attended. It's part our our culture.
Good job, thanks for the report. Sorry I missed that.
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