Crawford Texas CounterFReep Report

The false peaceniks descended on Crawford Texas to protest President Bush's warnings to Saddam and Iraq. There were roughly 150 protesters gathered in the parking lot of the Crawford Community Center(football stadium) when we showed up. We arrived a bit late thanks to taking the scenic route through Waco and were directed by law enforcement officers arround a series of roadblocks. After indicating that we were peaceful protestors instead of "hecklers", we were directed to a parking area.

We decided to scout out the area first and promptly found the Iraqi sympathizers. Someone in the group noticed a lone woman carrying an America Flag on the other side of a tree line behind some barricades. We approached this brave soul and found Txrangerette holding down the place set aside for the "hecklers".(Apparently, she didn't know the peaceful protestor password)

While we were debating rather or not to drive around to the "heckler" area, Blastus returned to the car, grabbed his sign and started toward the protestor crowd. I think Gracey was being interviewed by the Waco Tribune and others started heading back to their cars to join Txrangerette. Since I rode with Blastus who wasn't moving his car, I grabbed my sign and wandered back to the protestors. Needless to say, a few of them noticed our signs and started swarming around us asking questions. We informed them that we were peaceful protestors exercising our first amendment rights and enganged them in further conversation. For the most part they were courteous but extrememly mislead.

After a bit of discussion, we noticed that the rest of our FRiends had gathered on the other side of the fence in the "heckler zone". On the way back to the car, we saw that Gracey was defying the zoning restrictions a bit and had come a bit closer to the fence. We drove back out to the roadblock and around through a camping area and joined the others in the "heckler zone".

We scouted the area a little bit and were about to join the others behind the barricades when a local Sheriff car pulls up and threatens to "haul us in" if we don't stay in the right area. So we made it to the right place where PetroniDE and Jobshopper were making their presence known. PetroniDE had brought his megaphone and since we were confined to the "heckler zone", we decided to start heckling. Waco-k and her husband joined us and we had a great time in the "heckler zone".

After numerous shouts of "You're helping out the oil companies by driving your cars", "Where's your electric cars", and other chants, we took a group photo and headed back to town.

By that time TheSarce had arrived and we joined her in the coffee shop. President Bush(ok, just a cardboard cutout) was there and joined in the fun.

Overall, a good time was had by all(or at least me) and we gave numerous interviews and let the peaceniks know they won't go unchallenged.

http://www.dailytexanonline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2002/08/26/3d69f22a03aa9?in_archive=1

Gerry McCarthy/ Daily Texan Staff

Mike Clagg, a member of the Denton Activist Movement Network, shows off his American flag filled with corporate logos to reporters at a protest in Crawford Saturday. The protesters were blockaded by state troopers from delivering a petition to President Bush's ranch.
Anti-war protesters halted at Bush's ranch
By Kris Banks (Daily Texan Staff)
August 26, 2002

CRAWFORD - About 100 protesters met a roadblock when they tried to deliver a petition demanding the cessation of economic sanctions on Iraq and cancellation of U.S. war plans to President Bush's ranch Saturday. McLellan County Sheriff Larry Lynch said his department, as well as the Texas State Troopers, were under federal orders not to allow anyone to pass a point in the road leading up to the ranch.

Federal officials did not return phone calls at press time, but according to a press release regarding the president's schedule, he was not at the ranch when the protesters were outside.

The protesters had originally planned to park their cars about a mile away, march up to the ranch, give the petition to one of Bush's representatives and hold a prayer vigil. But Lynch said their cars were illegally parked on the side of the road, and they could not continue down the road.

"We will call a wrecker out, and your cars will be towed," Lynch told the protesters.

Peter Johnson, a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and part of the protest, eventually succeeded in convincing the protesters to leave and attempt to take the petition elsewhere.

This task was made difficult because at least four other protesters had megaphones or other amplification devices and many people expressed a desire for a more confrontational approach. One woman said the protest might as well take on an aggressive approach, because law enforcement officials would continue to deny them access.

"We need to maintain a good relationship [with McLennan law enforcement] because we want to return here," Johnson said.

At no point were weapons drawn during the confrontation, making it amicable in comparison with protests last week in Portland, where protesters were sprayed with pepper spray.

The protesters had caravanned to the roadblock from a rally in the parking lot of Crawford's football stadium. About 150 people attended the rally.

Rahul Majahan, Green Party gubernatorial candidate and author on the Middle East, said plans to attack Iraq are an attempt to "recolonize the Middle East" and called for more educational events about the situation there.

He also said Bush's lack of multilateral support was a cause for concern, since even British Prime Minister Tony Blair, whom Majahan called a "bootlicker," did not appear to be fully behind the president.

The rally was not only to protest plans for a pre-emptive strike on Iraq, but also to support lifting economic sanctions on the country, which have existed since the Persian Gulf War.

Amira Matsudra, a Denton resident, said she was born in Iraq and returns regularly to visit relatives and has seen the toll economic sanctions have taken on civilian populations.

"Civilian life is getting worse in all aspects of life," she said. "I would say 95 percent is due to the sanctions."

She said the economic sanctions have limited Iraqis' ability to overthrow Saddam Hussein themselves.

About 10 supporters of Bush's plans held a demonstration of their own on the other side of a fenceline from the rally.

"I don't want to see another Sept. 11," said Grace Germany, an Austin resident. "I don't want to see Republicans, Democrats or communists hurt because of anti-capitalist, anti-entrepreneurial Is-lamic fundamentalist militants."

Thanks for posting this. I am sorry I couldn't make it as my husband and I were treated to a trip to New Orleans by his company. It was a group of 46 and although we had fun I will never go back on my own dime. That is truly a city of SIN. I am no prude and can party with the best of them but Bourban St. is just downright slimy. And what is the deal with the former Govenor. Seems he has been indicted on fraud charges of some kind. I read the article but it didn't say whether he was -D or -R. Does anyone know??? I just figured since it didn't mention it then he must be democrat. This isn't the first time this has happened in Louisiana I hear. Does anyone know the history of this corruption? thanks again for the report. I am proud you guys and gals were there.

We were just there, driving through Crawford, a couple of weeks ago, beautiful countryside. We were taking #3 son to Lubbock to Tex. Tech. Liked it so much that we drove back through again on our way back home. Drove out past the ranch. Talked to a lot of locals in town.

One man who owns a shop there sounded very proud of "W". His wife on the other hand, said she also respected Clinton as our president. As I tried to keep from gagging and yucking, I said, I couldn't respect Clinton. I tried, but I couldn't. He never did anything to earn my respect.

Bought things in the gift shops there. I got a lovely button that I wanted so badly to wear to that Crawford Texas CounterFReep!!! It reads "GO GET 'EM, GEORGE!" and it has the image of a gun's crosshairs in the middle of it. Nicely done. I figure some "pacifist" would become violent upon seeing my button that supports "W" in the war effort, and the "pacifist" would do something violent to me..... Since they are SO TOLERANT......

Thank you for the FREEP and thank you for the post!!!!! GO FREEPERS GO!!!!

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.