Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Smaller Group of New Yorkers Hold Counter, Pro-War Rally (FR Mentioned)
Voice of America | February 15, 2003 | James Donahower

Posted on 02/26/2003 11:36:44 PM PST by Dont Mention the War

Smaller Group of New Yorkers Hold Counter, Pro-War Rally
James Donahower
New York
15 Feb 2003, 23:53 UTC
Listen to James Donahower's report (RealAudio) 
Donahower report - Download 251k (RealAudio) 

As tens of thousands of people flooded the streets of New York City Saturday to protest a possible war with Iraq, a much smaller group held a demonstration in support of the war. James Donahower was there.

Demonstators are chanting, "We gave peace a chance, We got 9-11", 9-11 meaning September 11, and they say their aim is to offer an alternative opinion to that of the many anti-war protesters marching nearby.

Richard Sawicki stood behind a wall of placards bearing the phrases, "good Americans support the commander-in-chief", "support U.S. troops abroad", and "this is Saddam's war." He says the anti-war demonstrators are missing the point.

"We have a powder keg in the Middle East that's going to blow up in our faces if we do not lead the international community in dealing with it," said Mr. Sawicki. "I'm here to support the President and the administration."

Mr. Sawicki was among more than 50 people on hand in support of a war to remove Saddam Hussein. A common theme that emerged in the group was anger at the lack of unanimous support for a war within the U.N. Security Council. One man held a placard saying, "France is intellectually ignorant". Another member declared the French violently anti-American, and announced she was boycotting French products.

But Paul Diperna, a nearby demonstrator, said international dissent within and without the United Nations Security Council is no cause for concern. "That doesn't concern me at all. I think the French and the Germans are pretty much irrelevant," he said. "They're not important. They don't do anything in the world now. If it wasn't for the French veto power in the Security Council, they'd be a nothing power. They'd be like Germany."

The group engaged in frequent shouting matches with members of the anti-war protest as they headed for various rally points.

The demonstration was organized by FreeRepublic.com, a conservative group that supports the removal of Saddam Hussein from power.


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Free Republic; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: New York; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: nyc; supportourtroops; tristatechapter
This never got posted, apparently. So now it is.
1 posted on 02/26/2003 11:36:44 PM PST by Dont Mention the War
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Dont Mention the War
Will there be a NYC Rally on March 1st... where and what time?
2 posted on 02/27/2003 4:56:11 AM PST by Samurai_Jack
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sauropod; Doctor Raoul; kristinn; firebrand; Dutchy; Cacique
Looky here.
3 posted on 02/27/2003 5:21:28 AM PST by hellinahandcart
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Samurai_Jack
The "dictator's fan club" has decided to put off their antiwar demonstrations until March 15, so nothing of a counter nature is happening in NY this weekend. I'm heading to DC for their Support Our Troops rally.

4 posted on 02/27/2003 5:24:51 AM PST by hellinahandcart
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Samurai_Jack
I dont know of a NYC rally, but March 8, there is one in Connecticut, Manchester CT, at the VFW on East Center St.


5 posted on 02/28/2003 7:38:00 PM PST by RaceBannon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson