Posted on 03/15/2006 9:24:54 PM PST by tgslTakoma
FAYETTEVILLE) - Fayetteville is known as a town that supports the military, but there are some there who support bringing the troops home now.
The city has had an anti-war rally at Rowan Park every year since the war began, but that almost didn't happen this year.
The park might have been quiet Wednesday afternoon, but by Saturday, crowds will fill be filling up the park. Just like in previous years, protestors will stage an anti-war rally, marking the third anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion into Iraq.
This year’s event would have looked a lot different if members of a pro-war group had been able to keep their reservation for the park.
"We had the park and we wanted to do something positive to support the troops families, but that wasn't as important as an anti-war protest which hurts the troops' families," said Lynn Huber, a member of the North Carolina chapter of the Free Republic.
City officials said politics had nothing to do with their decision. They said a member of Free Republic made the application for a 200-person picnic, but that person did so as a private citizen, so city officials didn't know the organization was involved.
Officials added that because the anti-war group is expecting thousands of people, officials decided it would be easier to secure that crowd in the park.
The rally is still expected to end up at Rowan Park, although marchers will be taking a different route to get here. Organizers said they are expecting fewer people this year because there are more events planned across the country. The police department said these minor changes don't affect what they plan to do.
"We're still going to have about 100 of our Fayetteville police officers out there. And, we'll also have officers from other agencies like the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Wilmington police, Gaston County police, and other agencies like the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office will be assisting us with crowd control and making sure everyone's got a nice safe outing,” said Sgt. Steve McIntosh, a member of the Fayetteville Police Department.
Members of Free Republic, along with other supporters of the war, said they still plan on coming out to make their voices heard.
Protestors have extended their permit this year to start at 7 a.m. instead of 12 p.m., so people will have more time to set up. Police officials said they plan to be out there before then making sweeps with their bomb dogs.
I'm hoping that the same dogs that are trained to sniff out explosives are also trained to sniff out drugs. Since the dogs can't tell their masters whether or not the scent is drugs or explosives, they will have to search every one of these smelly leftys. That should thin their ranks quickly.
Hopefully they've got some masks to dampen the stench while they search. One of my friends is an ER nurse. She told me that there are times when very bad smelling folks come in -- their only defense is to grab a mask and underneath it, squirt a dab of toothpaste on their upper lip. Then they smell the toothpaste and not the people. I'm wondering if the cops know this strategy?? He he he!
LOLOL!!!
"They said a member of Free Republic made the application for a 200-person picnic, but that person did so as a private citizen, so city officials didn't know the organization was involved."
So they give preference to groups over private citizens no matter who was there first? And I'm sorry, but I don't buy the "expecting thousands" crap one bit. These types of groups are always overstating their expected crowds to make up for their lack of uh...uh...."manhood". It's a Freudian thing. I'm betting there is nowhere near "thousands" at this idiotic thing....unless you use Caliposo Louie's type of math.
Just saw a few posted flyers in New York City stating that tomorrow, March 17th, starting at 1PM a "Bring the troops home" rally will be in Times Square and ending up at the UN. Are freepers countering this?
Awwww...now that's a tear-provokig picture of tomorrow's future! What sweet good-natured little demons!
For some reason those didn't post in the right position, but you get the general idea!
Every time I hear that phrase, I'm reminded of the old joke:
Newlyweds are checking into the hotel - they tell the desk clerk they're on their honeymoon.
The clerk asks, "Do you want the bridal?"
Bride replies, "No, I'll just hold onto his ears 'til I get used to it..."
TONK - I'll ping my clan to this thread.
o my peeps, read this interesting article.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1598738/posts
Live thread on the protest/counterprotest - turns out the "peace" creeps have only hundreds present, not thousands.
Is there any way that we could form action teams that can be "OFFICIALLY" part of FR?
for instance..
the GA Gov. (Purdue) is hosting a fund-raiser for Lynn Swann next week... tickets are a bundle.. but- I would LOVE to get a press pass, and then do an after-action report....the Press Pass would give me more access, etc..abkle to talk to people better, etc..
in this case-- instead of a private citizen permit.. we could obtain permits that would hold more weight, per se'
or am I way behind the ball and this kind of FR network already exist? Or is the entire idea silly?
there are several official "real-world" chapters of the Free Republic. Ask Kristinn for details - he is a BMOC in the DC chapter
thanks
You're welcome. We were there last year; it was a hoot! I got to shake hands with Kristinn ... I was all a-quiver! Would have liked to go this year, but Vlad's too little to travel that far.
Wow -- can we protest anyway?
they could, and did.
I am following the other thread now
No how, no way is FR an organization. (and we're not a blog either)
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