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.
The "Old North State Chapter of Free Republic" is an organization. Sorta.
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Where are the PW folks (Protest Warrior)... shouldn't this kind of thing--infiltrating and busting up leftist demonstraitons--be within their domain???
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