After Action Report Austin, TX 3/19/05 freeping the anti-war protesters.

3/19/05 | The Bat Lady

[The Bat Lady]

After Action Report Austin, TX March 19, 2005 freeping the anti-war protestors.

Some Freepers joined the Protest Warriors to counter the Anti-War protestors.

Present were DrewsDad, Tarawa (thanks for all the heads up) kjc##? (beautiful, informed lady) The BatLady in the burka with a purple finger proudly raised, DaveinTX ( ? Not sure of spelling) GOOD JOB FREEPERS!!!

GOOD JOB PROTEST WARRIORS!!!

We met on the grass outside the Palmer auditorum and parking was close. The PW had huge, great signs (someone post what they said) and very long sticks. This was a genius move! More about that later.

[The Bat Lady]

I thought I would start the thread, so that DrewsDad could work on the pictures.

[The Bat Lady]

This was a lot of fun. I sure wish more H.O.T. members could meet with us. This report should be my notes as secretary today.

I put on the burka and used a sharpie made my finger purple. I taped a picture of an Iraqi woman voter showing her purple finger to the back of a foam yellow smiley face. I thought they needed to smile and be happier and I WAS RIGHT!

I would like to say that we just met the most articulate, well groomed, well dressed, well mannered gentlemen that I have met in a long time. I would like to say that, But I can't say that because these people were really foul, really smelly, in your face and well ... pretty disgusting.

When we arrived at our little triangle patch of grass under a HUGE budding oak tree, there were some people across the street on the bleachers and others setting up the stage. The main body of unwashed were marching down the street from wherever they hooked up.

[TMSuchman]

We had a pretty good turnout up here in Southeastern MI. today ,despite the cold temps & freezing rain. Queenkathy's husband took photos and is also currently in the process of uploading them to the website. We had 10-15 "Freepers" out there in liberal Adrain, MI. We even had 3 kids with us [I had my 2 with me] the folks driving by honked & waved at us and were basically responded very well to us. Quennkathy will give futhere details when she comes online!

SEMPER FI ALL!!

[Flightdeck]

post pics when you got em. I wanted to come by but my wife wanted to shop for shoes, and you know who wins that fight.

[The Bat Lady]

We were all watching the sky in case of rain or lightening. The bleachers across the street were covered by metal we figured we were safer under the tree. We set up along the sidewalk and faced the signs so that the whole rally looking at the speaker would have our signs on the other side of the street. (they didn't' like that, more later about this)

There were 3 kids sitting in the grass with a dog in the triangle but they didn't last long with the PW (Protest Warriors) down at that end.

Next time I looked they were gone.

(Remember two years ago in 2002 there were 1500 anti-war protestors to 5 (FIVE) freepers.
They were outmatched in wits and knowledge. )

I liked having 17 of us and mostly big men with long sticks in their hands and huge signs. Great odds.

Wish ya'll had been there! More as time passes.

[davetex]

Hey Bat Lady, that was a great Freep today, although I'm still trying to get that nasty hippie funk off me. You were great with the burka and purple finger. The Protest Warriors were awesome and well organized. We saw Drews Dad on TV this evening, and he was very articulate and knowledgeable. Good Job!

[basil]

I'm so sorry to have missed this--I seem somehow to miss all the good ones--LOL! I've got a houseful of kids and grandkids from out of town, who started arriving about 3 today. I was there in spirit, though.

Good job, H.O.T. Freepers and Patriot Warriors! Can't wait to see the photos.

[The Bat Lady]

The main group came around the corner, like a huge parade. There was a big paper machae GW (nice of them to include the president) flags, signs and bamboo poles that strung together with the BLACK flags. This was very effective! It made a fence, held signs (not very readable from a distance but not bad) and in general was the best tool they had/used today. More on this later after the pictures come in.

There were lots of signs, looking more homemade instead of pre-printed with all the usual clap-trap.

There were sheets painted with slogans (the World Workers Party) strung between 2 poles. Very readable from a distance.

They drifted to the bleachers and stretched out along the block. We thought about 200. We were about 17. After the rally began we were talking quietly not really trying to hear the speakers because that couldn't happen. But not disturbing their rally.

Every now and then one or two would come over to talk, or get in a heated discussion with us. At the beginning an officer explained to them that we (both sides) had agreed to stay on our own sides.
Them over by the City Hall plaza and
us on the tiny triangle.
For a while they would leave but then a whole bunch of them surrounded us and stood in front of us, so that their signs would be in front.

The police said they weren't going to do anything or ask them to leave. But I could go to the other side (the anti-war) side and ask the officer in charge to move them back. I didn't want to take all my stuff over there, so Tarawa talked to him. He can tell that chat.

I did wonder aloud (well very loudly) why their side never can follow the rules. They didn't seem to care, and my 1st amendment wasn't as important as theirs and they don't really encourage diversity of thoughts.

AND they smell.

[Balding_Eagle]

BTTT

[Socratic]

I'm waiting for more; enquiring minds want to know.

[TXBubba]

Thanks for the initial report. The news on KLBJ mentioned protesters on both sides. That's about all they said. I was hoping to hear one of you make a salient point on air. But at least they said you were there. Will check back for pictures later.

[Trteamer]

Thanks for the FReep! I love pictures, we need pictures. LOL!

[davetex]

Mrs. Davetex and I know all about kids and grandkids. It's better to spend time with the young'uns when you get a chance. Maybe I'll get a chance to meet more of the HOT members soon.

[davetex]

AND THEY SMELL BUMP


Next time we'll bring Lysol!!!!!!!!

[Humidston]

You guys and gals are the greatest - bump!

Now.... pics! ;-)

[JimNtexas]

"Unwashed" was the literal truth for some of them.

Many of the ones who crossed the street to hassel us were dressed in black masks, terrorist style. Their leader was an old hippie.

[DrewsDad]

OK, we have photos. Click to enlarge or just got to the first photo and go through the slideshow.

25KSuicide

Communism

UN_War_Solved

PW_1st

davetex

New_Sheriff

WWP_last_thing

Burka_Bat

Smiley_Bat

KJC1

unwashed

BlackFlag

Stage

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Thanks to you and all of the freepers who are getting the message out: The silent majority supports America!

[DrewsDad]

The Black Flag Roaches were pretty annoying. They did their best to provoke us: verbally threatening us; moving their flags right in our faces; nasty cursing; bumping into us.

I finally just stepped in front of them and that pissed them off, but I was right at the curb. It was nice when the police finally pushed them back. I finally got tired of one of the dweebs blowing his smoke in my face and moved sown to the end since they were limited on their range.

[DrewsDad]

Photos in Post#17