www.news14.com

Fayetteville police prepare for rally
Updated: 3/17/2006 11:32:32 AM
By: Stacy Neumann & Web Staff

(FAYETTEVILLE) -- Hundreds of people are expected to attend a rally in Fayetteville on Saturday. The event marks the third anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.


	The anti-war rally, March 2005

Both peace activists and counter-demonstrators will be there.

On Friday, mounted patrol officers saddled up and practiced crowd control for Saturday's rally.

"A mounted officer on his horse can generally do the work of ten police officers so this is a force multiplier,” explained Fayetteville Mounted Patrol Officer Michael Ruff. “Fourteen horses can move 140 people back."

The Fayetteville Police Department is getting help from four other area mounted police and foot patrol officers from eight surrounding agencies are also on hand this weekend. Law enforcement says the aim is to make sure everyone stays safe and you can help.

"If you're gonna come to the area, we ask you to carpool with somebody and also what we're looking for is, we don't want people carrying large signs out there,” said Sgt. Steve McIntosh. “We're limiting the size of the sign. We don't want any big stick signs in case of trouble. We don't want people getting hurt."

Besides the signs, weapons, alcohol and pets also shouldn't come into Rowan Park. Officers will be searching folks at the entrance.

Fayetteville police only had to arrest one person during last year's rally and they hope this year will be quiet as well.


	Fayetteville mounted police

“That's what we're looking for, for it to be a safe outing,” Sgt. McIntosh continued. “Enjoy the peace rally and make sure nobody gets hurt out there."

Police say the Fayetteville rallies have always been well attended and well behaved. They have no reason to believe Saturday will be any different.

If you plan to go to Rowan Park on Saturday, officers are closing off Woodside Avenue from Hay Street to Rowan Street. Only residents along the road will be allowed there.

Officers are also closing Athens Avenue at Woodside.

Major Anti-War Protest in Fayetteville

Eyewitness News

(03/18/06 -- FAYETTEVILLE) - Thousands of people were expected to gather today in Fayetteville for an anti-war protest to mark the Iraq invasion's third anniversary.

Also on abc11tv.com:
Send us news tips | Desktop Alert | ABC11 AccuWeather | Pinpoint Traffic

Organizers say about 3,000 activists from around the nation converged on Fayetteville for last year's protest. They carries signs, flags and flag-draped coffins to symbolize the war dead.

This year's rally is personal for Quaker House organizer Chuck Fager. Iraqi insurgents kidnapped and killed his friend and fellow activist Tom Fox.

"It's a personal tragedy, but he gave up his life bearing witness for peace," Fager said. "In a way, that sets a powerful example."

Kristinn Taylor says the planned protest send the wrong message to the United States' enemies.

"You can't have it both ways," she said. "You either support the troops and relay that support to the troops and support what they're doing, because the troops believe in what they're doing."

A small crowd of counter-demonstrators are expected for Saturday's rally, as well as a small army of police officers to keep the peace.

We have one going on in downtown Indianapolis. The radio station (WIBC) has it's window on the Circle in the center of town. The morning guy said to come on down, there was plenty of parking, but be sure you remember to bring the correct signs. He then pointed out that at the last anti-war rally there were a bunch of people with PETA signs. LOL!