Operation Infinite Freep - Rally for America, San Antonio, TX (22 Feb 2003)

22 February 2003 | PetroniDE

[PetroniDE]

As the United States and the "coalition of the willing" draws ever closer to war against the terrorist supporting nation of Iraq, resistance by the "UN coalition of weasels" continues to provide Freeping opportunities. Another opportunity to Freep in support of President Bush, our troops, and the "coalition of the willing" was taken advantage of earlier today.

This opportunity was in San Antonio, TX in front of the famous Alamo, one of our great monuments to freedom. This Freep was different, as it was a "Pro-America Rally" compared to the more familiar counter-protesting of the leftists. Another contrasting feature is that this was a "Road Trip Freep" that I especially enjoy. This rally was put together by the Bexar County Republican Party and WOAI radio.

The following is a summary of one of the H.A.T. FR (Houston, TX) members, who was in attendance at this rally armed with WMD (Weapons of Mass Demonstration) that included an 8 foot by 3 foot "We Support Our Troops" sign, large U.S. Flag, and a black bull horn.

A large and noisy crowd turned out for this event, with estimates between 600 and 1500 people. Many sign with Pro-Bush, Support Our Troops, and Liberate Iraq themes. One surprise was the number of Support Israel signs and tee-shirts present.

Speeches were made by the Bexar County GOP chairman (Roy Barrera Jr.) and some of the rally organisers. The organisers noticed that several people were from out-of-town, and they asked a few of them (including me) to say a few words to the crowd. I thanked everyone for coming, encouraged the crowd to continue supporting our troops, our country, and our President. I also plugged upcoming rallies both in Houston and San Antonio, and played the pre-programmed military fight songs from the bullhorn in recogniton to those who served our military. Before and during the event, at least 40 people stopped by to shake my hand, and many people with children asked for pictures of the children using the sign as a prop.

We had 2 or 3 "anti-American" counter protestors. One of them was a democrat posing as a libertarian. His sign was "Drop Bush, not Bombs", but the back side was a leftover Ron Kirk-D for U.S. Senate. He was claiming that Israel was responsible for 9-11 (he must have had some real good weed). We countered him with chants (bullhorn came in handy), and a few helpers helped raise the large "We Support Our Troops" sign to block his message and eventually shout him down. Locals in the area stated that he was a Palestinian sympathiser. Libertarian my (you know what).

I met about 15 people from the Houston area at this event. I plugged FreeRepublic, the local chapter, and the rally next week at Jones Plaza.

Didn't bring a camera (hands were full), so no pictures are presented at this time. Hopefully other freepers who attended the event will see this thread and post what they have.

[PetroniDE]

I will search the San Antonio media websites and post reports as I find them. Others that attended the rally, I missed you, so please contribute to this thread what you can.

These are so much more fun when we have the larger crowd.

[Dubya]

Pro-Bush Rally at the Alamo
About one thousand people gathered in front of the Alamo in San Antonio today in a rally showing support for President Bush, and support for a possible war in Iraq.

Participants chanted "George W. Bush," sang "God Bless America" and waved American flags and signs declaring that "Saddam's Days are Numbered" and "God Supports President Bush."

"I'm just so frustrated with all these peaceniks and the left over Communists," said participant Ron Sieglar, who was wearing a jacket covered with American flags.

"That's why I'm dow here today, to support our troops."

A handful of anti-war protesters stood nearby waving signs reading "Drop Bush, Not Bombs" and "No War for Oil." The two groups did not come into contact and there were no incidents.

Many of the participants said they have relatives deployed in the Persian Gulf region.

Joe Johersky's son is in the Kuwaiti desert, and he said his son indicated the morale of his unit was damaged by coverage of last weekend's widespread anti war protests.

"He called me Thursday night, they were having a severe sandstorm," he said. "We have our Army and Marine guys living out there in the desert and in the middle of severe sandstorms. The least we can do is give them our support."

Even though many of the signs displayed at the rally were provocative, one displayed a peace sign made up of bombs and machine guns with the slogan, "We've got your peace, right here!," participants stressed that the rally was pro President Bush and anti Saddam Hussein, but not pro war.

"No one wants to go to war," participant Judy Watson said. "Anyone who did would be totally insane."

But her sister Eileen Watson, who called President Bush a 'Godly man,' said sometimes war is necessary and even desirable.

"I love this country, and I'm afraid that if we don't stand up and say that our president is doing the right thing, then I'm not doing my duty as a citizen," she said.

[PetroniDE]

Houston Area Bump

[Flyer]

Great work! YAHOO! I can't wait for this coming weekend.

[Dubya]

Pro-Bush Rally at the Alamo LAST UPDATE: 2/22/2003 4:50:15 PM

[PetroniDE]

WOW -- YOU GOOD. You beat me to it. Good Job.

BTW -- This is the report from the WOAI Radio Website, written by Jim Forsyth.

[Flyer]

Ping!

[PetroniDE]

DOUBLE WOW -- YOU DA MAN....

I need pictures...My kingdom for pictures....

[Dubya]

Wish I could have been there. Its past time that we let these liberal jerks represent America while we remain quite.

[bmwcyle]

bttt

[Dubya]

LATE NEWS BUT SHOULD BE READ BY FReepers

[agincourt1415]

Great Work Texas!

The Orlando Rally was a big SUCCESS too, we had approximately, 2000 Screaming Veterans and Patriots in the crowd.

Many standing up and clapping after every sentence from the numerous speakers. Here's the Link: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/849595/posts?page=16

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Well done big guy.

[Dubya]

Thanks for the heads up and the good job you did.

ORLANDO RALLY HERE

[TXBubba]

Go San Antonio and Houston Freepers! Sounds like a great time.

[dix]

Petro, you are the very essence of what it means to be an American. And after your trip to SA let me be the first to congratulate you for today you officially became a Texan. You are a very important part of HAT.

[agincourt1415]

Dubya,

Thanks for the LINK.

My Html is pretty Basic, LOL.

I tell you what. I was an observer of the people at the Rally and I could get hooked on this real easy.

Everybody was Friendly, not a counter Protestor in sight, or else they were VERY QUITE, and standing away from the main crowd.

Another story: I spoke with a guy that had an AIR FORCE T-Shirt on, (me an AIR FORCE VET), we talked about 5 minutes, and just went nuts on a little common ground, LOL, and everybody was all around smiles and cheering for the speakers.

There's room for more Rally's

This is PURE GRASS ROOTS STUFF.

I love it!

[rabidralph]

Did you all get to tour the basement?

[PetroniDE]

Friends of San Antonio and FR Upper Management bump/ping.

Still looking for pictures.

[PetroniDE]

Here is a picture from the Mecom Freep (Fri 21 Feb 2003) that shows the large "We Support Our Troops" sign used at the Alamo.