There were several incidents that are worth reporting.
Fox5 actually interviewed and used the tape on the news at 10 PM, according to BillF. It did not sound like they tried to change my words or meaning...yes they cut the length.
I arrived just before the sound system was activated for their group but our own personal sound machine, DoctorRaoul, was loud and causing anxious moments for them. We all pitched in on some of the chants and songs. They sent several angry participants to try to make him be quiet. One very young “organizer” even appealed to Kristinn to ask the group to be quiet. No luck there!
I most enjoyed seeing the dumbfounded reactions of the photographers when I asked them to please photograph the American flags from the other group too. After a slow survey of the group they often looked back at me and smiled. There was not one American flag waving above the protest. One elderly man even tried to borrow one of ours. LOL
A young man, possibly military in the past, very angrily screamed nose to nose with anyone who would try to talk to him. Kristinn handled him first. His language was foul and when asked, he refused to stop. His Mother would NOT have been proud of him that night. He seemed to be threatening and was often challenged by the question, “Are you threatening me?”. Eventually he used up his false bravado and moved back to the protest. He took many of our comments personally and was not able to understand the background of the groups he had joined.
ChristopherLincoln and GunsareOk each sang, shouted, and supported the members who were confronted by angry people. They held signs and often answered questions from people passing by. Many of them thanked us for being there or gave us the "thumbs up" sign.
Fraxinus, holding a large American Flag, and I, holding a sign, often chuckled at the strange looking members of the protest. They were mostly middle age, or older, dressed in shorts and T's, but a few were in business clothing. Code Pinko’s with ugly pink clothes and crowns arrived carrying a purple and pink Peace Sign.
Of course the homeless man who is well known made his appearance for the evening and between remarks about President Bush he offered stock tips solicited by the good DR.
Most of the signs were professionally printed and said something like.....Support the Troops, Bring Them Home.
I think that there were some women at the end who asked for information and were convinced that maybe they were wrong to join that group. They had no idea what the sponsors represented beyond wanting the war to end.
A past military woman and State Department Employee who was very sure (full?)of herself tried to teach us all how much she knew about the Middle East. I wonder if she is the kind of “holdover” employee we hear about all the time.
The members of our group have been named in these lines, but the number of their group was about 5 or 6 circles of 10-12 persons gathered around 1 candle in each area. Not an impressive number or as many as the press estimate.
It was a very pleasant evening and one that will be a good memory as I journey back south. Thanks FREEPERS!
I think I forgot to ping you on the last one. #16
Forgive me?
Excellent report! Wish I could’ve been there.