My husband 'zelig' and I did our best to try to join you all in the American Sector just before the parade, but we got stuck way in the back of Checkpoint Charlie and the anarchists far outnumbered us. We were told by the DC police that we had to go to the back of "the line" waiting to go through the security checkpoint (the white tents). Trouble is, you couldn't tell where the line was, never mind where it ended.
The anarchists stood at the back of "the line" in a huge, tight block of hundreds of people, waving signs, chanting, etc. A few stood up on a table or podium, leading the group in chants, getting everyone going... obviously holding a rally. I asked a DC police officer if this was a rally going on, or were these people waiting in line for the security checkpoint. The officer told me they weren't holding a rally (they obviously were), they were "waiting in line". Then he rudely told zelig and I to "move along... no congregating here". We weren't "congregating"... we stopped there for two seconds, trying to gather our thoughts as to make a decision what to do next, check our DC Metro map and to ask the officer the question about what was going on. Geesh!
The anarchists did an effective job blocking off (or appearing to block off) some security checkpoints earlier at the swearing-in ceremonies also: Gold Gate and Green Gate, keeping good Bush-supporting folks out. We had tickets (standing only, way in the back) for the Inaugural and had to enter through the Green Gate, but gave up once we saw the hundreds of people (mostly anarchists) in front of us. We never would've made it through security in time for the ceremony. Fortunately we caught the entire ceremony live on TV in a nearby Hyatt Hotel bar.
We met many disappointed Bush supporters on the streets, in the Hyatt bar and on the Metro who had traveled long distances to attend the Inaugural swearing-in ceremony and/or the parade, tickets in hand. Many of these people had never run into crowds of unwashed leftists like this before, and seemed a bit shocked. Some were elderly or had little children with them. These vile anarchists scared them away from what should have been a joyful event last Thursday.
Anyway I made a few passing remarks to a some anarchists, such as "If you don't like it here, why don't you move?" and "So move to Cuba!" and I "accidently" kicked some guy's anti-Bush sign that he had leaned up against a curb, while he sat on the curb shivering.. LOL.
You guys in the American Sector did a better job with the "skunks" than I did, though. KUDOS to all of you! :-)
It was a pleasure to meet you and your husband again at the W2 Ball.
I am so sorry that your rights and your husband's rights were violated by the anarchists. Through fear and intimidation they blocked people from going.
I'm also sad and mad that the officer was rude. He may have been under great stress, trying to watch the anarchists. That's an explanation, but it doesn't excuse rudeness.
I'm wondering if a complaint to the police is not in order. Not so much about the officers comments as he may have been under great stress. More of a complaint about not controlling the anarchists and figuring out a security gate system that would not take so long or subject decent law-abiding citizens to mixing with the skunks of the left, people who came to protest and disrupt.
Where were you in relation to the rallying anarchists and the crowd trying to get in when the officer accused you of congregating? Was it close to the leftists, were you saying negative things to the anarchists?
Are you sure that they were the anarchists, wearing a striking amount of black clothing and quite a few wearing masks?
About what time was it that you were there at the 7th Street Checkpoint?
Did you see the anarchists throw snowballs at people, sticks or poles at police, kick the Protest Warrior, and get gassed by the police?
Were you there when the police cars swooped in to block anarchists from getting into the crowd, but creating a crush in the crowd from people at the edge suddenly moving out of the way of the police cars.
I don't envy the police as they had some very different challenges that day. Still, if we could think of a better way to handle these situations in the future, it's worth pointing out constructively where improvement is needed.
Sorry I didn't get to meet you in person nutmeg. Free Republic is home to so many fine people.
I hate to criticize the security efforts but there has to be a better way to funnel folks into public events. That wide open mob at 7th & D was a nightmare and potentially very dangerous.