Posted on 01/05/2005 8:10:01 PM PST by kristinn
The D.C. Chapter of Free Republic has obtained a demonstration permit from the U.S. Park Service for two places along the Inaugural Parade route for January 20.
They are not what we applied for. However, we will try to make do with what has been offered us.
The two places are close together, but apart. One is a 141-foot-long stretch on the north side of the 600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (18 feet deep, total 2658 sq. ft.) The other is a section of sidewalk at 7th Street and Indiana, Avenue, N.W. (11,921 sq. ft.)
Our main purpose in gathering there is to provide a 'safe haven' from violent left wing and liberal protesters for conservatives and other supporters of President Bush.
Being that it is expected that tens of thousands of anti-American protesters will be swarming the parade route, we are calling our areas the American Sectors.
While we are trying to establish an area free from left wing violence, no guarantee can be made of absolute safety. But we will work with law enforcement officers to let them know that we expect to be able to show our support for the President in peace and safety.
Our permit for the American Sectors runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Those of you who do not plan on going to the swearing in ceremony at the Capitol are encouraged to come to the American Sectors early and make the day of it. As far as we know, the parade route will be open to spectators and demonstrators sometime in the morning. Once the screening points open up, it will be a competition with the anti-American protesters to fill the public space along the parade route. We expect to have our hands full maintaining the integrity of the American Sectors. Your help early in the day would be appreciated.
The Secret Service has laid down strict rules as to what can be carried past the security checkpoint. Please take heed.
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE PROHIBITED: "Firearms; Ammunition; Explosives; Weapons of any kind; Aerosols; Supports for signs and placards; Packages; Coolers; Thermal or glass containers; Backpacks; Bags exceeding size restrictions (8 inches by 6 inches); Laser pointers; Animals other than helper/guide dogs; Structures, Any other items determined to be a potential hazard."
"With respect to signs and placards, the Secret Service would ask that those items be limited to items made of cardboard, poster board or cloth and have dimensions no greater than three feet width, twenty feet in length and one-quarter inch in thickness. As noted above, we are asking that supports for signs and placards be prohibited as these items may be used as a means of concealing weapons or as weapons themselves. Additionally, the prohibition on structures includes props, folding chairs, bicycles, displays such as puppets, papier mache objects, coffins, crates, crosses, theaters, cages and statues. It does not include signs, portable bullhorns, cell phones, baby carriages, baby strollers, wheelchairs and other devices for the handicapped in use by handicapped persons...."
The list and rules are subject to minor changes.
It is strongly advised that you take Metro to get to the American Sectors along the parade route. The Archives/Navy Memorial station will most likely be closed because it is inside the security zone. Therefore, the nearest Metro stations are Gallery Place, 7th and F Street exit (Red, Green and Yellow lines,) Judiciary Square and Metro Center.
If you attend the swearing in ceremony, you probably will not be allowed to cross Pennsylvania Avenue to get to the American Sectors. You will have to take Metro from the L'Enfant Plaza station (Maryland Ave., S.W., between 6th and 7th Streets.) Take the Yellow or Green line to Gallery Place.
The purpose of our getting a permit is two-fold: To provide a safe haven for Bush supporters and other conservatives and to express our support of the President, our troops and their mission fighting the war on terrorists.
The anti-American left will be trying to send a message of support to their terrorist friends in Iraq and elsewhere with their protests. The media will gleefully aide them in their endeavor. It is our job to use our space to send a patriotic counter-message.
As always, the D.C. Chapter's rules for protesting will be in effect. Briefly, they are: No violence, no profanity, no racism, no provocations, obey the law and treat all law enforcement officers with respect.
Please note, we expect this to be a high stress day. If you can not control yourself and keep a cool head in the face of virulent hatred for our country, then please do not stand with us that day. It is of the utmost importance that the American Sector be peaceful and law-abiding.
The official swearing in ceremony area requires tickets from your congressman or senator. Beyond that area, on the Mall, the ceremony will be open to the general public.
!!!!!!!!
wish i could come!
free dixie,sw
Ping-thanks-bump!
bttt
That is not possible while the parade is on because your on the wrong side of Pennsylvania Ave. and they will NOT let you cross the street.
Kristinn mentioned in a previous post that he will stake out the standing room area of the inaguration and post a potential location for Freepers to gather.
Thanks I wonder if it's to late to get tix. My Senators are Lousenberg and Daddy Warbucks Corzine, not sure if they will make any evasive manuevers to get my tickets. Meeting up with you guys insteas sounds perfect.
If you haven't already, you can link up with the Protest Warriors from protestwarrior.com. They are having a similar action.
I believe that Verizon is the only company that has a wireless service able for laptops. You might be able to sniff a RAT WAP if you have the right instumentation.
Take it from me (I've been there) you'll be able to see and hear better if you watch on TV. Also, traditionally Mother Nature usually makes inauguration day the coldest day of the year.
Do you know yet where you will be standing during the swearing in ceremony. I will be behind 15 area. Or maybe
on the opposite side. That's clear isn't it?
I am getting 2 extra, maybe. Also my friend got 6 so I might have extra or be able to get them. I don't know details yet other that I'm to pick them up at the Senate Bldg. You should be hearing from your senator soon I'd think.
I'll definitely be there. FReepmail coming at ya'.
LOL. Yes, perfectly clear. ;-)
I have no idea where "15 area" is, or where we are going to be. We will have tickets waiting for us at our CongressCritter's office, but we have tried to find out more about where we will be and can't. We need to pick them up on Wednesday, we tried to get them to mail them and they won't....for security reasons, I suppose.
This is going to be a real adventure, won't it Amy? The logistics of getting from one place to another (we are staying in Alexandria) could be a challenge...especially when the city will probably be all snarled up with traffic jams, not to mention security delays everywhere. But I'm up for it, I think. Thanks goodness we won't be driving. I wouldn't be up for that. LOL!
Senator Levin is holding my tickets. I went with a dem cause he's my senator (sigh) and also I figured the dems would have more tickets available! Smart huh? So they sent me a confirmation letter plus a phone call yesterday to make sure I got the letter. I was impressed. There is a map and on the upper left NW side is an area marked #15 which is seats, we are standing behind that area. If we go with my friends tickets, we will be opposite on the NW side.
I'm waiting for that info too. I need detailed detail! How will they know who are FReepers when we get there? I know, that's a silly question.
Got it! Will do.
Ping!
I'll be there with bells on.
2001 was a riot (literally)!
See ya January 20th!
I'll be there in spirit! If a TV camera goes by, wave madly so I can see all of you!
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