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
Would you like to be added to my Bay Area Chapter ping list? You could just get as involved as you like, but you'd be notified about all of our events.
SeenTheLight
We are planning on having our first official Bay Area Chapter meeting on 3/15. Ill be posting information about that very soon, so stay tuned for the details.
After the success of our SF counter-protest yesterday, a few of us thought it would be a good idea to capitalize on the momentum and meet a little sooner, to do some brainstorming, organizing and planning.
So weve planned an earlier meeting for next Saturday, 2/22, at 1pm at the Pacific Coast Brewing Company in Oakland. Its right near a BART stop (12th St.) and Drango has already checked it out and found it suitable for a meeting of this kind. Luckily they also have a web site, which includes directions. Click here for that info.
So come on down----any and all are welcome---well be just as happy if 5 people show up as 50! Please FReepmail me if you are planning on coming, so we can keep a head count.
Also, if anyone is interested in being added to the Bay Area Chapter ping list, send me a FReepmail and let me know.
SeenTheLight
If you would like to help me in the TECHNICAL side of the web page, have experience in HTML, web design, Front Page etc. please FReepmail me. We already have several choices for donated web space.
Drango
....Kathleen Willmann of Novato, who stood with other Bush supporters, said she was at a loss to understand the protesters and felt threatened by them.
"How are we going to get rid of these maniacs. I don't understand why they can't see the connection. It's so obvious that Saddam has a connection with terrorism," said Willmann, who donned a Fire Department of New York baseball cap.
"These signs saying 'Assassinate Bush,' these are peaceful activists? I've never felt such rage and anger."....
From the War Room to the Home Front...
Counter Protest Reports Tonight (Monday)
Mark William - KFBK Sacramento (50,000 watt clear channel station) Monday thru Friday 7-10 PM
Call in Numbers (800) 834-1530 California Toll Free (916) 921-1530 Dial * or # 1530 from your cell phone
The other side called in today to claim victory. Tonight we can correct the record.
Listen LIVE http://www.kfbk.com/streaming.html
Chat Room and Message Boards: http://groups.msn.com/MarkTalkcomFreeSwim
Tonight we'll provide an After-Action report from our counter protests around America.
I'll be contacting some of you by phone this afternoon to see if you would like to be guests on Mark's show tonight. PLEASE, pass the Listen Live link around to friends and family. We will tape it for future use pending license arrangements with Clear Channel Communication.
7:00 PM PST - The War Room: This note from Mark's Website:
"If you missed tonights show (last week) then you missed a U.S. exclusive interview with Kenneth Nichols OKeefe. He is the decorated veteran U.S. Marine of Desert Storm now leading a convoy of Human Shields to Baghdad in defense of the bloodthirsty regime of the Butcher of Baghdad. Listener reaction was explosive!"
Well, hold on to your seats folks... tonight Mark outs this supposed patriot in The War Room. This symbol of the Anti-War crowd is about to be exposed in a way that makes Mark Williams one of the shining stars of talk radio.
8:00 PM PST - The Reports Mainstream Media would cover!
Hear from the front lines: NYC, San Francisco and Sacramento. Hear the passion and reason from those who stood their ground and made us all so proud to be there representing mainstream America. Here personal stories of changing hearts and minds... be inspired and encouraged as America and her allies face the greatest challenge of the new millennium.
If you were at a counter protest we missed or were not able to connect with a representative, PLEASE drop us an email a.s.a.p. We need more than ever, to network with talk radio hosts and each of our Chapter Leaders and frontline warriors. Check our website for the latest updates on that effort and an upcoming event, designed to do just that. You'll hear that announcement tonight on MarkTalk Live.
Got in my face and said "Do you know what they called Israel in the Bible???"
"Yes, they called it the land God himself gave to his chosen people, the Jews."
She visibly blanched turned on her heel and walked away...
foreverfree
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