Troop Rally and Peace Fair 02-24-2007 After Action Report Operation Infinite FReep, Tucson, AZ

AmericanProtest.net ^ | 03/02/2007 | Wayne Boettcher

[\/\/ayne]

Troop Rally and Peace Fair

When rumors of a U.S. troop surge hit Baghdad recently, a lot of terrorists quickly left town. Others redoubled their efforts to kill women and children with their sneaky, underhanded method of planting bombs in civilian areas. But soldiers and police were quick to seize the initiative. Dividing the city into 10 security districts, Iraqi forces recently seized a huge cache of explosives from the cowardly terrorists. And more Iraqi peacekeepers are pouring in. “We have seen a decrease (in violence) in the last three weeks, a pretty radical decrease, actually,” US Army Lieutenant General Raymond T. Odierno, commander of Multinational Corps Iraq, recently told reporters in Baghdad.

Meanwhile, other forces were planning their next move against America. Innocuously named the "Peace Fair," the annual gathering at Reid Park in Tucson brings together "anti-war" groups including Code Pink and the Tucson Club of Communist Party USA, who boast of having been involved with the "Peace Fair" coalition for over 20 years. Undaunted by Iraqi war success, the grim minions of socialism assembled in their usual fashion to oppose any hint of military victory for the USA. Prizes were awarded from various local businesses and radical groups. The event was scheduled for February 24th, 2007 from 11 am to 5 pm.

The Pro-Americans of Tucson had plans this day as well. Our first step was an early morning scheduled rally at the gates of Davis-Monthan Air Base, which has been going on for some time during various Saturday mornings. Military flags, Pro-American banners and signs of troop support are displayed while citizens wave and smile at the troops and veterans who pass in and out of the base. Occasional shouts of thanks and support are given to open window cars. A bullhorn helps boom out the message that their efforts are appreciated.

This was a typical rally of good times and happy thoughts. Besides the smiles and wave backs we received from the men and women of the Armed Forces, passing cars also honked their support for the troops. Truck air horns were the loudest, and antique cars blew a klaxon sound. Voices yelled out car windows with glad shouts as well. Sometimes the timing worked out where the cars of military people were backed up waiting to leave and enter while the crossing cars past set up a thunderous din of support. Then I would grab the bullhorn and say to the troops: "They are all honking for you, the American Armed Forces, because America loves you!"

This time I left early with a small force of dedicated Pro-Americans consisting of Free Republic's teenage Superman-Z, his dad Robert and myself. Our mission was to protest the several hundred attendees of the annual Tucson Peace Fair. Last year a few of us had protested at the main entrance toward the end of the fair. This time, I wanted to try the beginning for just a few hours on a side entrance closer to the actual event. The others agreed. I arrived at the park entrance first and found a great parking spot in the shade.

I had three double sided signs, "Don't Believe Left-Wing Propaganda And Lies" with "Say No To Communism" on the other side, "We Support The Troops and Their Mission" with "Remember 9 - 11" on the other side, and "Code Pink-o defeated at Walter Reed" with "Over 500 WMD Found" on the other side. I also brought the UN "flag-mat," a homemade representation of the UN flag to stand on. Of course I am never at a protest without printed articles to hand out.

Robert had the bullhorn but it was hardly necessary because of how close we were to the cars and the low volume of traffic noise. However, he used it immediately, calling out "God bless you," to a frantic looking person driving by who urgently wanted us to inspect a certain finger, probably to see an "owie" she may have had. Hopefully Robert's impromptu prayer had a healing effect. The Marine veteran's sign read "Yo Troops, Rock On" on one side and "Remember, they still want to kill you," with a photo of 9/11 burning towers on the other.

"You don't know who did 9/11!" shouted another lady in a car turning left. "You have no idea! If you only knew…" the bellowing grew unintelligible as she drove into the park. For those who think 9/11 conspiracy theorists have finally acknowledged the facts about what happened, be assured: many are still out there!
"Read a book," called out a man on a bicycle.
"'Bankrupt,' by David Limbaugh is good," I countered. "I also recommend 'Saddam's Secret's,' by Georges Sada. I just read them."

"Read a book," was his odd reply. Perhaps he could think of nothing else to say or any good books to recommend in return. He bicycled on toward the fair.

A man named Jay with a repetitive forced laugh stopped by on foot and said he knew I was a FReeper (a member of Free Republic's website) because I was protesting Communism and wore glasses. He seemed to feel that Communism was irrelevant to Peace Fairs but stopped laughing when I showed him a newspaper photograph of Arizona's district leader for Communist Party USA leading a protest. I also explained that the same person was a top organizer for the Peace Fair and most major "anti-war" events in the area. Jay admitted these were powerful facts.

A furious car driver shouted from left turn lane on the street that Communism had nothing to do with "anti-war" activities. I held up a printed report and called out that here was a photo of Cindy Sheehan and Hugo Chavez (a prominent Communist dictator) together in agreement. The accompanying article details Code Pink's ties to Marxist ideology. The angry, fast moving driver pulled in, whirled around the median and drove up to accept a copy.
"Yes, give me that because I don't understand this!" he grated out. After I handed the article to him he sped off. I hoped he wouldn't read it while driving but you never know in Tucson.

Superman-Z's sign was a peace symbol fashioned out of a B-52 bomber with a circle around it. The lettering said "Peace - The Old-Fashioned Way." With a large American flag he took a position in the entryway median where puzzled peaceniks passed, hesitantly slowing in confusion. You could almost see the smoke shoot out from their ears as thoughts obviously raced through their heads. I imagined them to be something like this: Why would someone with a peace sign have a right side up American flag? Hey, that peace sign looks funny. Hey!

"General" Pat showed up a little later and took a walk around the fair. Later she came back loaded down with signs and a Marine flag after stopping at her car. At 1:30 pm we decided to leave. I took a turn around the outskirts of the fair myself. I didn't want to possibly start a riot by going through the middle, since lots of people would recognize me as the anti-Communist from the entrance and sometimes peaceniks get real mad about my sign. I wasn't there to disrupt anything but merely to protest Communism and support our successful troops by handing out articles and holding a sign at the park entrance. It's a great way to stand up for the troops - and America.

Related Links:

Forces Kill 13 Insurgent, Detain 26, Discover Weapons Caches - by American Forces Press Service

General Cites Reconstruction Progress in Iraq - by Jim Garamone

Code Pink - by John J. Tierney (PDF file)

Hurray for the Troops! - AmericanProtest.net (one year ago)

Click photos to enlarge.

(Above) Tucsonans love the sound of freedom when a Davis-Monthan Air Force based jet passes over.		(Above) Veterans and patriotic citizens support the troops.
(Above) What a beautiful sign held by this dedicated Marine Mom who is often out supporting troops at rallies and protests.		(Above) The Lucero family lost Marine Lance Corporal Josh Lucero in Fallujah, Iraq when he blocked a grenade with his own body, saving two Marines. Twins currently serve in the Marines and Army.
(Above) Many veterans who support the troops at rallies and protests are Marines. The "anti-war" side has "ex" Marines.		(Above) Code Pink protested wounded troops at Walter Reed Army Hospital every Friday until they forgot to renew their permit. Protest Warrior and Free Republic got the permit and took over the entranceway over a year ago. It was a crushing defeat for the "Pinkos." Now just a pathetic few are down the street weakly weekly.
(Above) Superman-Z causes moonbats to be stonkered and discombobulated. He lost his brother Robert in Iraq; undaunted, he will also join the Marines.		(Above) "General" Pat has many extra signs and flags to lend out to people who stop by to join us at various rallies and protests.
(Above) Approximately 47 million abortions have occurred since Roe v. Wade. About 35 million military personnel were killed in all the wars of the 20th Century. Peace, baby.		(Above) Upside down American flags are often seen at "peace" events.
(Above) I try to relate that Peace and Communism are contradictory terms.		(Above) Mr. Strawman...(yes?) ...send me a scheme (bum, bum, bum, bum) make it revenge and most extreme... please turn on your sign machine... Mr. Strawman, send me a scheme!

[\/\/ayne]

FReeper extras not in the original column:

1. Nobody complained, but I felt a disturbance on the internet...as if hundreds of people had clicked on photos from previous my After Action Reports...but they didn't enlarge. This time they do.

2. Two youngsters came out of the fair and wanted to know what Communism was. I gave them a copy of "The killing machine that is Marxism" by Professor R.J. Rummel. They had toy guns they were playing with. I asked "Did anyone complain about your toy guns in there?" They explained that they didn't tell them and kept the toy guns concealed. Smart kids.

3. What a difference in the two events. In the morning everyone in cars cheered and smiled. At the "Peace Fair" we got more fingers, curses and derisive yells from cars than ever before!

4. The bicycle riders were always polite, however. Even "read a book" dude was calm and measured. When I asked exiting riders if they would like to ride over the UN Flag-mat, they politely declined, universally declaring "No, thank you."

5. One young lady entering on foot declared "Hooray for Communism! I love Communism!" and many other praises for the deadly philosphy. I thought she was joking at first but after reflection Robert and I concluded she probably was just a Communist!"

6. The local newspaper, known for it's extreme left wing slanting of news stories and anti-war philosphy, declined to cover the "Peace Fair." I found that very strange. Maybe they're afraid people will hear about the extremists there, but they've covered up stuff like that before. Oh, well, some mysteries will never be solved!

7. Since Code Pink was going to be there, you know I had to put that sign about Walter Reed! Tucson's Code Pink leader has traveled to Washington DC several times. Go, DC Chapter of Protest Warrior and Free Republic!

8. We did get some thumbs up, smiles and waves from cars on the street at the "Peace Fair" and some from the park, too. We figured they were not at the fair, or went for the first time and figured out what they were all about!

[Bob J]

Good work Wayne.

[Impeach98]

Good work!

We can't wait to see some of these fine people (an interesting mix, to be sure!) when the national pro-troop/patriotic caravan comes through your area on Saturday, March 10th...

[trooprally]

Way to go Tucson FReepers!!!!!

You all looked great. Always good to see Code Pinkos getting harassed.

Code Pink is meeting at the WWII Memorial on March 17 before joining ANSWER. We'll be there waiting.

\/\/ayne - I can't seem to find time to compose a hand out for the Olney FReep, but one day.

Weather had finally warmed up Friday at WR and this Saturday in Olney.

[Mr] T

[\/\/ayne]

I can't seem to find time to compose a hand out for the Olney FReep...

I don't compose 'em, I just find and print them. The Code Pink report is great! Take that file or even the link to a Printers / Copy shop and tell them you want x amount of double sided, stapled color copies. Hand them out at that Code Pink event you mentioned!

And of course there's always the slipstream. Print double sided, cut them into slips of paper, and hand them out or place them on windshields! And those articles themselves can be printed, of course. I usually try find ones that will fit on one page double sided but I can't always find one like that for a particular point to prove.

[trooprally]

Thanks for sharing some of your secrets. No excuses now.

[Mr] T

[WVNan]

Your reports are always so informative, it seems as if we are right there. Thank you for all that you do. Sometimes I wish I lived closer to where the moonbats gather. I suppose I am grateful, however, that I live in such a conservative area.

[cf_river_rat]

Thanks for speaking up Wayne.

BTTT