SAN FRANCISCO POST-RALLY THREAD! (Biggest rally so far---60 people!)

2/16/03 | SeenTheLight

[SeenTheLight]

It's been quite a day for Bay Area FReepers and friends! There's a lot to cover, but I'm gonna keep it brief and just get the ball rolling for comments and input.

The big news is that we had our largest counter-protest yet! We did a head-count at the peak of the protest and we ended up counting close to 60 people! Keep in mind, two rallies ago we had about 7 people and last time, we had 15. So we've come a long way! It looks like all the extra media outreach we did really paid off. Most of the non-FReepers that joined us heard about it on KSFO, so we've got to give a big shout out to our friendly neighborhood conservative radio station!

When we first arrived, we discovered a major hitch in our plans. The City Hall steps, where we were supposed to meet, were blocked off with a line of buses parked in front. We convened in front of the buses (on McAllister) and stayed there for quite a while. But the "peace protesters" soon had us backed against the wall of buses. The police officers were worried about our safety, so they herded us down to the corner, where we set up shop on the grassy knoll. It ended up being better than the City Hall steps. We had our own corner, which was blocked off to the rabble and the police were protecting us. Next time, I think we should make that our meeting spot.

Some engaged in arguments, others yelled back and forth, and some of us just made our presence known. I spent a lot of time talking and getting to know my fellow counter-protesters and just ignored the hordes of rabid peaceniks, so I had a great time!

Thanks to comwatch, who had set up some cell phone numbers with the David Gold show on KSFO, we did several interviews live. Mine was brief, but very energetic--with the FReepers chanting USA in the background! A few other people also did interviews with KSFO and we all took part in media outreach with whoever was listening! Channel 7 interviewed one of us and I just saw the very brief coverage of it about 15 minutes ago! Other than that, I haven't heard a word about us, despite our large numbers and growing presence.

I can't think of all the FReeper names to thank right now, but let's just say the Bay Area Chapter was in almost full attendance, plus flagbrigade and his folks and of course comwatch and other Sacto FReepers.

Afterwards, a bunch of us went for drinks, political organizing and laughs. So a good time was had by all!

Please add your comments, photos, ect...

Thanks everyone for all your help and great work!

SeenTheLight

[SeenTheLight]

Post-Rally Ping!

[basil]

How impressive! And to think it's in the Bay Area, at that! Congratulations, and keep up the good work.

[Drango]

A special thanks to everyone who supported us. This was our largest attendance ever and a good kick-off for the SF Chapter. Special thanks for KSFO and KFBK for "highlighting" our event.

FReep on....post your pictures here!

[My Favorite Headache]

Congrats on your work. I still am disgusted that only 60 turned out. It should be 6,000. But of course..people will only be bringing out the flag when a bomb affects them personally.

Thank You Again

[Bob J]

Congratulations San Francisco! Send some "kudos" to comwatch for helping set up those interviews, it sure looks like it helped turn the tide!

[Bob J]

Just a reminder that your pics can be hosted from your FRN website! Not only is it convenient, but we have pics all in one place when we need to print some for CPAC, as an example!

[2rightsleftcoast]

Thanks for all you did today. I just saw a clip of protests today in SF. Saw a lady chanting "Stop this racist war"
Is this something new. Racist war?

[TaxPayer2000]

Why is it I only find out about the rallys after the fact? is there an e-mail notification list I can be on?

[stlrocket]

Patriotism in San Francisco!

[TontoKowalski]

Light in the Darkness Bump!

[Frank_2001]

She probably was protesting Mugabe's goons killing white farmers in Zimbabwe/sarcasm off

[lizbet]

Gosh seen those half nude guys make me colllllddddd!!!!

[Cool Guy]

It was a lot of fun. Hopefully this should kick start our chapter.

I stayed back till the end alone to freep them. BTW, we had about 4 to 5 FReepers clling into the 6:00p.m. Talk show in KSFO. You should come down here for the next one.

[Cool Guy]

I know, I should use the PREVIEW function :)

[skr]

Well done!

[Cool Guy]

Freep mail, "SeenTheLight" or "American Preservative". They will put you in a "PING" list for now. You can use the "self search" button to find out about the event. In a couple of weeks time, I would be able to use your e-mail to keep you in the loop. Send me your e-mail Address by Freepmail.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thank You Patriots

[HHFi]

Just tell the media you had a million people show up, and if they question your count, call them racists.

[Interesting Times]

Great work... looking forward to more pictures and reports.