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.
Do share!
http://soldiersdiary110.blogspot.com/
Monday, January 02, 2006
Updated: My New Years Eve
Landry's life is written by one of the amazing people who will protest the anti-war protesters outside Walter Reed Medical Center. The crazy lunatics from Code Pink seem to think it is a good idea to hold an anti-war "vigil" there every Friday night. Check this post out with all the great banners supporting the troops and our missions around the world from the other side of things.
Very nice. Glad to know some soldiers outside of the D.C. area know those anti-American freaks are not indicative of this region.
I had a vision tonight ; )
It wasn't real clear. It had something to do with viking kitties and big dogs and pinkos dancing in the midst of them.
LOL!
I can dream, can't I?
Wow, albion, where did code pinko get $650K... I wonder?
I hear you, concretebob, it's too bad we don't have "frontier justice" anymore, because they deserve it! I would have a hard time with my impulses on-scene, too, a REAL HARD TIME...
I agree with you both, they are hard cases whose human sensibilities -- if they ever had them --- died a long time ago.
That ought to give THEM "the runs.." Heh heh.
That's great to hear!
You are a mindreader, you are...
Lethal...I'd prefer the hippies keep their arms down, if you don't mind...
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{concretebob}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Good job!
We were down your way yesterday.
Trooprally (Mr&Mrs) and yours truly, went to the promotion ceremony for their son Rich.
What an awesome honor it was to be asked to be a part of this.
See the bottom of my profile page.
Just a few of the pictures that were taken.
Oh and
(((((((((((((FREEMA))))))))))))
One great hug deserves another.
I hope it was a blast! I would have loved to catch you all- but I was stuck here at the house, and couldn't get out : (
Those are GREAT!!pictures!!!!
BTW. I couldn't remember where I saw Murphy's Laws of Combat. But I do NOW DOH!
I emailed those to my son.
He didn't respond...
But.
They were immediately, and permanently, posted on his IM profile.
; )
Bingo! I don't think a hospital and the grounds around it are ANY place for ANY kind of protest, IMO. I work as an RN...those patients need all the peace and quiet and rest they can get and it's disturbing hearing megaphones and screaming, singing and ranting. I'm TOTALLY AGAINST ANY PROTESTS on hospital grounds. I'm absolutely SHOCKED that the hospital commander (likely some Army BG admin weenie) would permit protests that would distract from patients' well-being.
If the noise is in earshot of any patient, it's very very bad. There are other patients there who aren't combat casualties and they don't like the noise, either. It also bothers the staff. I'm really POed that the cops allowed anyone near that hospital. Leave the troops to heal, please! Send them cards and well wishes, they will appreciate that a helluva lot more than ranting and loud noise.
That'll learn ya..;)
OOOHHHHRAHHHHHHH
He'll know what you mean.
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