Posted on 02/16/2003 6:27:50 PM PST by 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
BTW, please let our FRiend know that HIS interview with someone from KFOG Radio was used as a jumping-off question (on KFOG) for a discussion about people's views. (I don't remember the context now, but, I sure recognized his voice when I heard it. Woo-hoo!) : )
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