Rally for America, Austin TX 3/1/03

3/1/03 | The Bat Lady

[The Bat Lady]

What a wonderful day! The Bat Lady and hubby started off being in a parade for Texas Independence day and ceremonies at the Capitol then we stayed near the Capitol so we could attend the Pro-America Rally supporting our troops.

[The Bat Lady]

looks like my comments don't match the pictures. Sorry this computer stuff sometimes is over my head. I'm better at making signs and freeping.

[AGreatPer]

Looks and sounds like you guys had a good time and sucess today.

Why is it soooooo easy when your on the right side? Congratulations Texas Freepers. Proud.

[The Bat Lady]

The Statue of Liberty sign was just a piece of fabric that I bought MONTHS ago and you can just buy one panel (or 2) and I guess make a blanket or lap robe.

I thought it looked great and bought it for a flag or something but couldn't figure out what to do with it.

Then last week I noticed they had another one, the don't forget 9/11 and bought it too. About $8. So I sewed them together on 3 sides and pulled it over one of my other signs that wasn't approprate for this rally.

Makes a very colorful sign. Just watch the fabric stores in the stars and stripes area.

[DrewsDad]

A thousand rally participants on a drizzly day in spite of the lack of publicity. That's not bad for Austin. But, I think we will do much better on 3/22 with better publicity.

From News 8 Austin

Pro and anti-war demonstrators clash downtown
3/1/2003 5:07 PM
By: Crestina Chavez
Dueling demonstrations were held Saturday in downtown Austin.

A GOP rally gathered on the south steps of the Capitol to support Bush's war against Iraq, and area Democrats protested the war at the same time at Republic Square Park on 4th and Guadalupe.

Initially, Department of Public Safety troopers had to stop the anti-war protesters from attending the Republican rally.

Nearly 1000 Bush supporters rallied to show support for the troops heading to Iraq. Some attending the rally believe the war effort is the only way to stop terrorism.

"I think people are scared. That's the biggest problem. But instead of really thinking about why they're scared, they think if they can hide then it will just go away. But Sept. 11 proved it just doesn't go away," said GOP rally attendee Shirley Coleman.

Further south, Austin Against War's protestors said they won't stop demonstrating until President Bush stops the war effort.

"We need a little more peace in Texas. We've got violence in our schools, and our communities and now overseas as well," said Texans for Peace founder Charles Jackson.

[The Bat Lady]

There were a few anti-war protesters. For once we out numbered them physically as well as mentally. The State troupers were in a line between them and us and kept us back so as to keep things calm. Some wanted to confront them but the troupers were adamant. I just wanted to get close enough to get one sign that had something about FOX NEWS on it but the pic didn’t turn out. It also has something about Joe Millionaire and one of our side said... Joe Millionaire is NOT an entitlement program.

After the program was over I wandered that way thinking some clever signs were the anti-American crowd but they were too clever for their side and turns out they were 3 very great young men PRO-BUSH. One of the signs had CLoony, Sarandan, Martin Sheen and Sean Penn. He was being interviewed by some station and it WAS WONDERFUL. I applauded afterwards and the others joined in. He said these people are going to be out of a job soon, they don’t speak for most of America and they pretend to be a President but haven’t a clue what it really is to be a President. They don’t have the information that the President has and talk like idiots. OK I put that in myself but I wasn’t writing it down but he was GREAT

[Libertina]

Thanks so much Bat Lady, for your reply. You all looked just wonderful! :)

[The Bat Lady]

"We need a little more peace in Texas. We've got violence in our schools, and our communities and now overseas as well," said Texans for Peace founder Charles Jackson. ,

You know if we could or be allowed to disipline the children or if the LEFTIST would disipline their kids then we would have much less violence in our schools..... kind of like disiplining Saddam and less violence in the world. HUMMMMMMMMMM?????

[DrewsDad]

Did you see #3 on the top ten reasons to protest War in Iraq pic?

3. I go to UT and I want an "A" in Poli-Sci

We(11,000 Former Students) do our best to keep Austin liveable. - Class of '88 too. Whoop!

[austinTparty]

hey hey hey... whoa.

HOOK 'EM! austinTparty; UT Class of '88

(damn Aggies... ;o)

[DrewsDad]

LOL! I hope you didn't get an "A" in poli-sci?

[Bob J]

200 today, 2000 next time! Great work Austin FReepers!

[austinTparty]

hehe... got an "A" in Government, though, despite my 180 degree difference of opinion with my gov prof (have to give it to Prof. Philpott, God rest his soul: he may have been a left-wing nut, but he announced his colors at the beginning of the semester and told students he didn't care if they disagreed, as long as they could argue their position).

[DrewsDad]

I love your pics and report

WOSG, there is an excellent pic of you and your family there. Tell your wife she did a great job with the interview.

[hocndoc]

Y'all did great! I'm proud of you.

[WOSG]

Guys, I was there with my wife and 2 kids, and I was pleasantly surprised with the big crowd.
The kids got to color a "Liberate Iraq" sign while we listened to the speeches. Afterwards, spent about 1/2 hour discussing and educating some youth who were not part of the rally, but maybe part of the 'other side'; we were bringing up all the usual negative reasons for using force.

BTW - the 10PM KEYE news report has a sound bite of my wife supporting President bush and saying we need to go in there and liberate Iraq.

basil, thanks for having us at your place after the rally. I enjoyed it.

[WOSG]

"we were bringing up all the usual negative reasons for using force. "

oops, that came out garbled - rephrase:
"we responded to their usual negative reasons for using force. "

[WOSG]

wow, that is great, thanks!!!!

[anymouse]

ATP,

glad to see you back actively FReeping again.

[chgomac]

You sure sound like Dottie from Germany!

[lormand]

I was there, but unfortunately didn't get to meet everyone from the Heart of Texas Chapter. I think I only meet Gracey.

I made the news on News 8 Austin. There is a short video only clip of me holding a large American flag on a wooden pole, trying to drive some sense into some "useful idiots" who showed up and tried to poop on our gathering.