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Alabany Oregon Support Our Troops Rally
Democrat Herald | Feb.15,2003 | J.Moody

Posted on 02/15/2003 5:53:43 PM PST by oceanperch

Oregon State Newspapers - SHG Resources Address:http://www.statehousegirls.net/or/newspapers/
Demonstrators stage lively exchange
By Jennifer Moody
Albany Democrat-Herald
Demonstrators at a downtown Albany rally Friday afternoon disagreed on whether to go to war with Iraq but found common ground on one issue: each other's right to be heard.
One of the groups, sponsored by Albany Peace Seekers, marched around the block from First Avenue south on Ellsworth and back around on Lyon. About 100 people participated, carrying signs that read "All Children Are Precious," "Negotiate Peace" and "Dissent is the Highest Form of Patriotism."
As they rounded the corner from Lyon back to First, the walkers passed a group of six counter-demonstrators who stationed themselves on the corner with signs that read, "We Support Our President," and, "Our Son is Defending Their Freedom."
"I wish they'd realize that the people of Iraq can't do this," said one of the corner occupants, Kevin Roberts of Tangent, waving a small American flag as the walkers passed.
"Everyone has a voice. I'm so proud to be an American, living in a country where we can exercise our voice. I don't know how much longer that's going to be possible," said Mary Steinbacher of Albany, who walked with sign that read, "Who Would Jesus Bomb?"
The two groups talked together a few times, but exchanged few barbs.
"Jesus believes in self-defense!" Jo Langley of Newport shouted to Steinbacher.
"You'll be singing a different tune when they come and gas your house!" yelled a passerby, who declined to give his name.
Talking among themselves about a war with Iraq, the two groups repeated the stances taken by their counterparts in protests and counter-protests all over the world.
"These peace guys, they forget the other side of it," said Robert Herndon, a retired Marine sergeant major from Dallas who stopped briefly to join the counter-protesters on his way to dinner. "Peace is empty without liberty. You gotta fight to have liberty."
"Same left-wing socialists running around, same ones as the '50s and '60s," growled Gary White of Albany. On the other side, Steinbacher stressed her support for people in the military, particularly her brother, who is serving in Kuwait.
"All of my energy and prayers go toward him. But I want him brought back full and complete," she said. "This is just an unnecessary war. Iraq is posing no threat. Nothing's been proven."
"We've ignored a lot of dictators," Peace Seekers organizer Don Rea said. "If we can find away to contain them, that's a lot better than killing a lot of our own people and a lot of Iraqi children, that's what I think. All diplomatic solutions haven't been exhausted."
Albany Peace Seekers plan to hold walks at the same location at 4:15 p.m. every Friday. So far, that's all right with art gallery director Ron Peters, who watched the group make its circuit from the window of the Thomas Kinkade shop on Ellsworth Street.

"It's a bit of an inconvenience," he said, adding, "But they're more than welcome to express their opinion. I don't have a problem as long as they're not rowdy or get out of hand.


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Announcements; Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Free Republic; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Oregon; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: oregon; rally; support; supportrally; troops
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Ok now the facts.

The Anti War group had about 50 people we had 7. She stated one of guys growled and that I yelled. Misquote. I spoke to the woman as they passed that I am guided by the Catholic Caticism and self defense is acceptable when one is under attack.

She said well I am Catholic but your Jesus is not my Jesus.

She had was getting out of earshot by then so I raised my voice to repeat that self defense is ok.

Also not noted is the cars honking in support of us and the lack of for the Anti-war demonstrators.

Kevin and I were spit on by a bongo playing peace nik.

They had a few strays that stood with us by mistake. My son (who communicates with facial gestures) was laughing at the strays who we tried to direct to their group. One lady when she caught on said is that what he is laughing about? My son also has a communication system he activates with a head switch and he asked one of the strays "are you lost" this is one of 40 preproggammed phrases he has that phrase is usaully used when I am driving.

Bottom line the story is one sided. We had so many thumbs up and honking for are little group that the counter demonstrator came and stood up about 10 feet from us so that the one way traffic saw them first but the honkers reserved their support bye eye contact and thumbs up directly at us.

1 posted on 02/15/2003 5:53:43 PM PST by oceanperch
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To: oceanperch
I use Web tv and can only e mail the pics I took off of the camcorder if anyone cares to see them my e mail is on my profile under Oregon State.
2 posted on 02/15/2003 5:59:37 PM PST by oceanperch
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To: oceanperch
bttt
3 posted on 02/15/2003 6:00:31 PM PST by lodwick (I hope war breaks out soon so we can relax.)
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To: oceanperch
7 against 50? Sounds like perfect odds to me! Way to go. Thanks for the report, and the "real" report. Inflation of numbers seems to be a peacenik thing. I wonder if that is the same as lying?
4 posted on 02/15/2003 6:06:19 PM PST by bluesagewoman
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To: oceanperch
mailedD0_jpg
5 posted on 02/15/2003 7:30:34 PM PST by oceanperch
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To: oceanperch
Thank you! Great job!
6 posted on 02/15/2003 7:38:54 PM PST by bvw
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To: oceanperch
50 to 7? Those peaceniks didn't have a chance!
7 posted on 02/15/2003 7:40:50 PM PST by Bob J (Join the Free Republic Network! www.freerepublic.net)
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To: oceanperch
P2140062.JPG Here is a pic. Phil took. Kevin, Chris and I are standing where the Anti War protesters walked by on their march. The rest of the group faced the street on the corner of Lyons and First street in Albany, Oregon.
8 posted on 02/16/2003 12:55:35 AM PST by oceanperch
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To: oceanperch
Here is Kevin who did the interacting with the Anti war people. Chris had a sign mounted on his chair as I turned his chair around everytime they marched by us.
9 posted on 02/16/2003 1:06:32 AM PST by oceanperch
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To: oceanperch
Great job! Thanks very much!
10 posted on 02/16/2003 1:16:32 AM PST by Jim Robinson (FReepers are the GReatest!)
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To: oceanperch
Here is my son Chris laughing at the strays that confused our grp. with their grp. and Kevin who was defending our views.
11 posted on 02/16/2003 1:16:48 AM PST by oceanperch
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To: oceanperch
The counter march Anti War people around the block from us before they decided to converge on us at our corner.
12 posted on 02/16/2003 1:28:54 AM PST by oceanperch
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To: oceanperch
Here is Kevin who was being interviewed by the journalist of the above article. Thanks to Phil for taking the pics and Kevin for Posting them to his website.
13 posted on 02/16/2003 1:33:48 AM PST by oceanperch
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To: bluesagewoman; lodwick
Got pics up.
14 posted on 02/16/2003 1:38:45 AM PST by oceanperch
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To: Bob J
Got Pics posted
15 posted on 02/16/2003 1:46:57 AM PST by oceanperch
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To: oceanperch
I'm glad to have been able to take the photos. Next time I'll use my predictable Nikon rather than Kevin's camera, which I was unfamiliar with. -phil
16 posted on 02/16/2003 4:47:09 AM PST by automator (We are either a united people, or we are not. - George Washington)
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To: oceanperch
Thanks for the ping! What a beatiful group you all are! Thanks for all your hard work.
17 posted on 02/16/2003 4:53:31 AM PST by bluesagewoman
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To: oceanperch
They look good!
18 posted on 02/16/2003 12:07:27 PM PST by Bob J (Join the Free Republic Network! www.freerepublic.net)
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To: automator
Welcome to FreeRepublic automator!
19 posted on 02/16/2003 3:34:34 PM PST by oceanperch
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To: oceanperch
Way to go, fellow Oregonians!!!!!!!
20 posted on 02/17/2003 1:54:46 PM PST by oregon conservative (I'm in Oregon, shields up and phasers on stun!)
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