Posted on 12/30/2005 8:07:26 PM PST by kristinn
An officer with Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) ordered the D.C. Chapter of Free Republic to silence our voices tonight at our weekly support the troops demonstration outside Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
The officer cited complaints from the neighborhood about the noise our voices make as we chastise the so-called antiwar protesters across the street at the main gate to Walter Reed.
The officer went across the street and issued the same order to the Code Pinkos. We're not sure if the order applies to their singalong guitar player (who serenaded the wounded troops tonight with Bob Dylan's "Knocking on Heaven's Door".)
Two weeks ago, several MPD officers staked out our Walter Reed demonstration. One officer issued a similar order but he did not enforce it as we verbally challenged it on First Amendment grounds and called in a complaint to MPD's 4th District HQ where Walter Reed is located.
We plan to formally challenge tonight's order as a violation of our First Amendment rights. D.C. case law is extremely "liberal" when it comes to exercising First Amendment rights and we believe there is strong grounds for our right to vocalize our political beliefs.
Our permit application on file with MPD clearly states that we planned to use battery powered megaphones. MPD has not denied the usage of megaphones when they processed the application. However, out of respect for the residents in the mixed-use area we have never used megaphones--just our voices.
The D.C. noise ordinance kicks in at 10 p.m. We stop using our loud voices between 9 and 9:30 p.m. when Code Pink slinks off before the Fran O'Brien's bus returns to Walter Reed with the soldiers and their family members.
Several months ago, Code Pink left fliers at the doors of residences near Walter Reed encouraging them to call the police to complain about our vocal exercising of our First Amendment rights.
We understand the complaints of those who live in the neighborhood, however our demonstration would be crippled if we were silenced.
We've never had to file a lawsuit in seven years of activism in our nation's capital, but there's a first time for everything.
Maybe we should challenge Code Pink to a pillow fight. That wouldn't make much noise. I think everyone would have much fun and afterward we'll sing Combuya and laugh. Then skip back to our cars and go home feeling refreshed.
Typical code-pinko tactic - don't debate, silence your opponents. Nice.
Anything the soldiers at WRAMC can do, in terms of support? Or would you rather not involve them?
Code-pinko must have gotten all the crackhouses and whorehouses to complain. Those types are their speed anyway.
Hi there.
Once again, thanks to you and the entire DC contingent for all you do. I wish I were not so far up the 95!
Just let us know if we who aren't so close to DC can help with $$ or anything else. Y'all are the GOOD GUYS!
Happy New Year!
I met a soldier who could look out his window and see the MOAB. He said it made him happy and grateful for the support. Much later he learned about the leeches from Code Pink.
Many of the soldiers don't know Code Pink by name but they know what they stand for and they are disgusted by them.
I can't imagine how the pinkos who protest at Walter Reed sleep at night or look in the mirror.
Simple - vampires don't have reflections.
Out here in Cali, if neighbors complain about loud noise, the police come out and ask the noise-makers to turn down the volume, which people will do while the police are there. Once the police are gone, the volume goes up again. I don't know what the law is, i.e., after the police have come out a certain number of times, what happens.
Have you talked with the Watch Commander on duty on Friday nights, just to find out what procedure is? This may prompt even more creative ways of protesting/supporting. I would suggest singing patriotic songs in unison, or experiment with different types of music to see what kind the pinkos absolutely hate; they may stop showing up.
The whole idea is to make them a whole lot madder than you are.
I salute all you D.C. FReepers for what you're doin'.
Try showing up one night with all your mouths covered in
duck tape, they wouldn't cite you for noise that night.
Appropriate signs, "Code Pink Muzzles Freedom". etc
We have a person that comes from Phila. I'm not sure of his car pool arrangements and can't talk for him, but it can be checked out.
RE support from the WR troops: our satisfaction comes when the wounded soldiers in wheelchairs or on crutches come out to say 'Thanks'.
One night, after Code Pink left and we went to their sides so that we occupied all four corners, the parents of a soldier walked by and thanked us. They said that their son was inside, and he was talking about coming out with his buddy to also thank us, but they weren't sure since he was in a wheelchair. We told the parents that there was a soldier and his buddy in a wheelchair on the other side of the street right now. They crossed over and sure enough, it was their son. Stories like this are what makes these cold night worth the effort.
Concerning $$ support, the D.C. Chapter can always use extra funds for hot coffee/cocoa and some sings. The MOAB needs an over haul and we are always going somewhere in the area to use our First Amendment rights. Usually several new signs need to be custom made for the occasion.
Thanks for your support and Happy New Year. FReepmail Kristinn if you can donate.
[Mr] Trooprally
Great idea! Oh Holy Night, Oh Come Let Us Adore Him, Silent Night, Angels We Have Heard on High, O Come, O Come Emmanuel...REAL Christmas songs....that will REALLY get their goat.
Thanks for the heartwarming story about the parents of the wheelchair-bound soldier. Thanks also to everyone who is able to get out to Walter Reed to counter the disgusting antics of the Code Pink group.
Seems the Code Pinkos just love our First Amendment. Congressman Billybob, I believe this is right up your alley, isn't it?
Congressman Billybob
That always happens and...that always happens. The first causes the second.
Great job folks.
Happy New Year and gret work!!
Yes, they do. I remember the two times I had the pleasure to join you guys that we had to stop our chants and taunts when the light was green because nobody could hear us over the traffic noise. When the light turned red we would resume our chanting.
Mind you, it is on a FRIDAY night and FReepers' loud mouths are faced AWAY from the houses on Georgia Ave.
I can vouch that the particular officer has always been wonderful to us. When he came around to make the complaint, he implied "between the lines" that the neighbors are very eager to exercise their "rights" and that he personally did not have a problem with us being there. But he has to follow procedure, and for the past couple of weeks there have been numerous cop cars on hand.
IMHO, that's a sure sign the Pinkos realize they are losing. They disapprove of war and guns and people who volunteer to defend our liberties, but when they realize they are hopelessly outnumbered, they don't hesitate to call the cops.
Hypocrites!
Losers!
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