Anti-war protests (and the FReeper counter-protests) in Washington and San Francisco

www.sfgate.com ^ | 1/18/03 | Zachary Coile

[SeenTheLight]

Washington -- Hoping that their sheer numbers would send a message so loud that President Bush could not ignore it, tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied in the nation's capital Saturday to oppose any war against Iraq.

The crowd, bundled up and huddled tight against bone-chilling cold, filled several blocks of Washington D.C. in what many called the largest demonstration yet against using force to topple Saddam Hussein.

[SeenTheLight]

Click here for an article about the San Francisco protest---no mention of the FReeper counterprotest at all!

But we sure made an impression at the time. There were about 12-15 of us and thousands of them and we were the main attraction! We stood at the top of City Hall steps with a line of police officers behind us (luckily), while the lefties chanted, scowled, pointed, yelled, and gaped at us, as if we were a circus attraction. Some of them joined us on the steps, holding up their own signs and trying to get pushy with us, but we wouldn't budge.

We stayed about 3 hours and then a few of us went for food afterwards and talked about the absurdity of it all. There's too much to tell here, but I'll write something more detailed very soon. Anyone with photos or stories to add, feel free.

Thanks again FReepers for a great day!

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[SeenTheLight]

FReeper Rally Ping!

Please forward to anyone I missed...

[Texas Eagle]

I heard on the news that there were some 30 anti-U.S......errrrr, I mean...anti-"war"....protests around the world today.

At least now we know what disgraced ex-president Clinton has been up to lately.

[I_Love_My_Husband]

15? Great! That's more than last time! Post pix! Hopefully you saw the other thread...the one I pinged you too so you can make scathing comments ;)

[GailA]

I have a 34 year old son, a soon to be 21 year old son and a 17 month old grandson. I want them to inherit a sane and as safe as possible world.

When do the bombs on Baghdad start dropping?????????

[SeenTheLight]

More details...

They chanted "No Blood for Oil" (always original) and we chanted "Hey, hey, ho, ho, Saddam Hussein has got to go!"

Some of our signs:

Leftists Hate America

America's Enemies Thank You For Your Support

Blessed Are the Peacemakers (The Army, Navy.....)

Liberate Iraq

Fry Mumia (that one got a leftie so mad, he came up, grabbed the sign and ran off!)

[SeenTheLight]

I did see the other thread. Thanks for posting it. I'll probably just reserve my scathing comments for this one!

[stratman1969]

Good to be there with everybody today!!!! If I missed anyone on my message, sorry, it was great being with you today.

I saw on KPIX that a crowd from the protestors were really peaceful and broke windows, kicked over Newspaper stands along Market Street. Of course, KPIX (who did film us) did not show any footage of us.

[Windcatcher]

I have a 17-year-old son. I want him to inherit a sane world.

The current situation, with Al-Quaeda trying to kill us, is sane? Sane is when these wackos have been deposed and when "useful idiots" have been thoroughly discredited.

We think that a lot more Americans are against it, but they need to see others out on the streets before they will start speaking out.

Erm, maybe it's just me, but putting up nut-jobs like Sharpton and that red McKinney tells me the opposite--that these people simply hate this country. More specifically, they hate it when the leadership represents a movement that is doing its level best to deconstruct their Marxist policies. Bush could be preaching UN inspections instead of regime change, and these people would make sure to find fault somehow.

We're on this path of aggressiveness and that's pretty damn scary.

Why do I get the feeling this person lives in some posh, upscale suburb where not a single house is under 2,500 square feet and there isn't a single minority community within 40 miles or so? It seems like the most die-hard liberal peaceniks all live in the best communities. It's easy to preach safety when you don't live in any danger. Not many liberal elitists in Chester, PA. Lots of poor blacks, but not a single elitist to be found.

We live in a dangerous world. If you can't handle it, move to someplace a bit more isolated--like Bermuda.

[Windcatcher]

I know a bunch of Chester cops and they regularly have benefits for Mumia's victims (he killed a cop). They'd LOVE to see a hundred "FRY MUMIA" signs!

You found a nerve. Time to really aggravate it ;)

[The Real Deal]

When do the bombs on Baghdad start dropping?????????

Soon!

[Samurai_Jack]

The Uncle Sam Picture on that poster is one done by FReeper Registered!

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Reuters was not the only ones who were impressed with this poster, I noted a very few FROM THE ANTI-WAR Marchers who were impressed enough to stop and ask for photographs of this poster.

And yes, the FRY MUMIA poster did excite a few of the radical protesters who approve of cop killers. I noted that this was the closest that we came to a real confrontation. Looks like some of these people have partaken of the koolaide.

[SeenTheLight]

Yes, that "Fry Mumia" sign really got 'em hot! They also hated the "Leftists Hate America" sign. We'll be sure to use these two next time!

[bluesagewoman]

Thank you!

[fatima]

Wow LindaSOG,That is a great picture.

[rogue yam]

Yeah, we FReeped 'em pretty good today in Frisco. They had tens of thousands of freaks, multi-culti snacks and music, even President Bartlet !!! (Oooh, isn't he dreamy?) And yet all the stupid indymedia types and other assorted loud-mouths wanted was one thing and one thing only: to stand next to US!!! I think they must be bored with themselves or something. Anyway, it was great to see everyone out there. Thanks to all who participated. May God bless America.

- rogue yam

[Afronaut]

[rogue yam]

You can say that again!