Operation Infinite FReep: Action Alert--Buckley AFB--AURORA, CO.--Anti War Rally--3-15-03

3-15-03 | Trteamer

[Trteamer]

Short notice, The anti-'s are trying to destroy our military's morale by protesting outside the base. Any Denver area FReepers availiable at Noon are needed.....

[Trteamer]

FReeper chgomac is prepared to take on the anti's solos if need be. Anyone that can help on such short notice is needed. here is the info directly from the anti's website:

March 15th: Save the Children / Save our Troops / Stop the War!!

Peaceful Rally/CD Action THIS SATURDAY at Buckley AFB!

Massive, nonviolent civil disobedience brought down the Berlin Wall, and after it the Soviet Union. Nonviolent civil disobedience brought down the tyrant Milosevic, and nonviolent civil disobedience can bring down the tyrant Bush….We have but short days – what will you risk for peace?

Ramzi Kysia, with Voices in the Wilderness, in Iraq

Are you willing to risk arrest to send a resounding “We mean business—No War on Iraq!” message to our government? Are you willing to lend your unwavering support to others risking arrest? If so, join thousands of other Coloradans for a statewide rally and nonviolent civil disobedience action at the Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, this Saturday, March 15th at noon. This action – and others like it around the country and around the world – may be our last best hope to stop a brutal and unjust war with disastrous consequences for our soldiers and the people of Iraq. If our numbers are large enough, we CAN STOP THE WAR BEFORE IT STARTS!!

When: Saturday, March 15th, 12 noon

Where: North Entrance of Buckley Air Force Base at 6th Avenue and Tower Road in Aurora (3 miles east of I-225, just east of Airport and Buckley Roads) Directions to the Rally at Buckley Field in Aurora:

From downtown Denver, go east on Alameda to 225. North on 225 to 6th. East on 6th about 3 miles to Airport Road. Go past Airport Road and take your first left onto Salida Way. Street parking along Salida Way.

From the north, take I 25 to I 70 East to 225 South. Exit 6th East and follow directions above.

From the south, take I 25 to 225 North. Exit 6th East and follow directions above.

NOTE: There is NO parking at the base and we should not drive our cars there. The rally will be held on federal base property by arrangement and we will direct you there from the parking area. Please honor this arrangement and walk to the North Gate along 6th for the rally. Please carpool with your friends if possible. The Rally will be from 12-1:30. After the rally, at 2, at another location at the base, folks will risk arrest in an act of Civil Disobedience.

There is no room for a crowd at this location.

What: Peaceful statewide rally with speakers, music, poetry and puppets

* Organized by Colorado Coalition Against the War on Iraq (CCAWI) in cooperation with local authorities

* Rally participants will support those doing civil disobedience, will not engage in any organized unlawful actions, and will not intentionally be at risk of any police actions.

* Bring signs, banners, and a peaceful heart!

Followed by an organized nonviolent civil disobedience (CD) action by volunteers who have agreed to follow the CCAWI Nonviolence Guidelines.

* Mandatory training for all CD participants this Friday, March 14th from 4-9 pm at Escuela Tlatelolco, 2949 Federal Blvd, Denver (Supporters welcome too)

Give em he** chgomac!! I hope some FReepers can give him a hand.

[Trteamer]

Ping!

[Island Princess]

I just posted similar info. I will be there. Can you give me some guidance? Where can we rally? Does Colorado have rules on the signs we use? As you can see, I am new to this! But I'm ready to show support for our troops.

[hoosiermama]

Way to far away to join you physically, but know I'll offer prayers not just for your successful freep, but for strength in the coming months.

[beaversmom]

Hello Everyone,

Just got back from the BAFB FReep. Had lots of fun, but started out with a headache and standing out in the hot sun for two hours fried my brain even more. The poor little guy has a cold too so he was rather fussy. He and the six year old were filmed by some camera crews so he may be on one or two of the news channels.

Was very glad to see Mollynme there when we arrived. She was talking with reporters from TV stations--not sure which ones--I think one may have been WB2. Mollynme did a great job answering questions. One guy was questioning her about ANSWER--I think this was off camera. When she said they were communists--I think he said, "That's a bit harsh." He didn't even know what the group was all about. It's surprising how dumb some in the media are. Another guy in a suit (assuming reporter) made fun of the name FREEPERS--said he wouldn't want to be called that. He came across as cocky.

Another FReeper was there--can't remember her posting name--maybe it was chgomac. She was very nice to talk with through out the time we were there. Island Princess and friend also met up with us a little later.

After being out there for an hour or so, two college aged girls came over to talk. I hate to sound disrespectful but they really have been brainwashed. I think they would have to be deprogrammed--it would take a strong intervention. Another protester (guy) soon joined them. He was white but was protesting the war because it is only being brought about to help rich, elite white folks maintain their lifestyle. Since we were all white, that just proved his point. He may have to reconsider the rich part though if he could see my bank account anyway. Also, one of the girls stated that President Bush had killed hundreds of thousands of people. In their eyes, the war was about oil--I guess the racist conspiracy guy hadn't endoctrinated them yet.

Another protester came over a little bit later--Stephany. She listened well and was a little more reasonable. She said her brother is in the Navy and her dad is Republican and Vietnam Vet. She said she has been to Iraq and was concerned for the Iraqi people because of the hardships the sanctions are causing. Even though I didn't agree with her positions on matters, she was very enjoyable to talk with.

Most of the protesters were rough around the edges and seemed to be more of a new age/hippie type mentality. We left around two because of the heat and it also looked like the protesters were calling for some civil disobedience toward the end and didn't want to get caught up in that.

Oh, there was also another FReeper there with his twin brother and family. I'm terrible at names and especially at screen names so excuse me for not remembering. He and his brother were doing a great job debating the college girls.

Oh, my 6 year old asked Stephany if she voted Republican. It was rather funny and she seemed to get a kick out of it. When he asked the two college girls, I don't think they saw the humor in it.

All in all, there were 13 of us including children--not too bad for an impromptu rally. Wish more of the Northern FReepers could have joined us, but I know you all were holding down the territory up there. Well, that's all for now. Check out some of the news programs tonight--maybe some of us will be on a couple of them.

[beaversmom]

http://www.kusa.com/storyfull.asp?id=12225

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE (AP) - About 200 people gathered outside the north gate of Buckley Air Force Base on Saturday to protest a war against Iraq while about a dozen opponents across the street held signs reading, "Proud to be an American."

Renee Hernandez wore a T-shirt with a picture of her Marine husband as she stood among people carrying signs reading, "Honk if you support our troops." Staff Sgt. Larry Hernandez has yet to leave for action but will be deployed soon, she said.

"For them to want peace, God bless them for that," Renee Hernandez said, pointing at the peace activists. "But they don't know how bad my husband feels to see that."

She said her father fought in Vietnam and felt bad when Americans at home protested the war. "I don't want what happened to my father's generation to happen to my husband," she said, holding back tears.

Carole Bayer of Boulder, across the street from Hernandez, also held a sign supporting the troops. Her sign read, "Support our troops, bring them home.

"Believe me, we're not protesting the troops," said Bayer, wearing a sign on her back that said "Another grandmother for peace. I know many people who have been in and are in the service. We're just trying to bring them home," Bayer said.

The anti-war rally was organized by the Colorado Coalition Against the War in Iraq, with some members giving speeches while others sang and played guitar.

President Bush said in his weekly radio address Saturday that Iraq has not disarmed and is unlikely to avoid a U.S.-led military attack.

"I know Bush thinks he's right, but it's just going to make more terrorists, it's just going to make the Arabs hate us," Bayer said. "The whole world's going to hate us."

About 19 of the anti war protesters were arrested for refusing to move from near the entrance to the base. They had warned police ahead of time of their plans. The group will probably face a misdemeanor charge punishable by up to a year in jail or a $999 fine.

[beaversmom]

"I know Bush thinks he's right, but it's just going to make more terrorists, it's just going to make the Arabs hate us," Bayer said. "The whole world's going to hate us."

[mollynme]

Hi - I actually already posted this on Island Princess's thread asking for help but it really belongs here. Sorry if it is a duplicate.

That was a good freep! There were only 12-14 of us (I think) and several hundred of them & a whole lot of police officers and media people. The hardest part was getting the attention of the military people going in & out of the base.

They were ignoring everybody & didn't expect to see any patriots out supporting them. They did wave & honk when they did see us, though. One lady gave me the "thumbs down" then, when she actually read my sign she rolled down her window & apologized & honked for us. LOL

We were interviewed by TV & print reporters. I'm curious how this will show up in the news.

We left shortly after the peaceniks called for those who wanted to participate in "civil disobedience" & started to work the crowd up into a frenzy with chanting & slogan shouting. A so called "legal witness" told us that the "civil disobedience" would occur across the street from the base since they didn't want to do anything on Federal property. You'd think that if they were truly committed, it wouldn't matter to them what kind of law they broke (heh heh heh).

We had been warned ahead of time by base personel that tear gas might be used so we decided to move upwind (discretion being the better part of valor). We left Island Princess & her friend still giving their support for the troops (out of harm's way) & in my rear-view mirror, I could see the police car lights flashing as the useful idiots moved out to block the road.

Some of the other freepers there (BeaversMom is the only other name I remember - sorry) will be posting pictures & hopefully their accounts.

[mollynme]

"Believe me, we're not protesting the troops,"
Then why were they protesting at the Air Force Base? What a liar!

[mollynme]

Sorry - calling a peacnik a liar is redundant!

[Wild_VoiceSF]

It was great to meet up with the other FReepers there. I was the guy with my twin brother (who quietly refuted all the mindless slogans tossed at him by the "anti-war" protesters), his wife, my 6-year old niece and my 2-year old nephew.

You're right, the best line out of the brainwashed had to be about Bush killing hundreds of thousands of people. Yow.

In the "makes it all worth it" category, a servicewoman who was leaving the base came up to us with tears in her eyes and thanked us for our support. I told her that we owed her thanks; she was doing the hard job, the least we could do was stand there with our signs. Another couple of servicemen in a jeep stopped to thank us for our support, and my brother said "yeah, us and 71% of the country." It was good to know that our presence was appreciated by those we were there to support.

We're working on posting the pictures (which came out great), but are basically clueless. Wish me luck.

[fivetoes]

Great job on the Rapid Response Freep!

[Trteamer]

THANK YOU!! Welcome to Operation Infinite FReep. I am proud of you for getting out there and showing DIRECT support to our troops. I hope to meet you at future FReeps,All the Best.

[Trteamer]

When I posted this at 2:30 this morning I was afraid I was too late to get any response from you FReepers. Thanks for the rapid response and terrific job! This just goes to show the power of the internet and FRee Republic. WOW!
I can't wait for the pictures!

[mollynme]

Hey - did you see us on TV? What fun! My parents taped us on both Channels 31 & 2. Great pictures of the baby on 2!

[Trteamer]

I just saw you FReepers on Channels 4,7, and 9!! Way to go gang!!

[beaversmom]

Yes, I did see both on 2 and 31. I really did think you did a great job answering questions--I know I would have been tongue tied had it been me. Thank you so much for coming. It was great to see a familiar, friendly face there. My little guy did look awfully cute waving the flag.

[beaversmom]

It was great to see you guys walking up knowing you were on our side. I really couldn't believe some of the the things the two college girls were coming out with. I also couldn't believe the young guy that came over was trying to bring race into it. I do believe if some of these people could wipe out one person on the face of the Earth--Osama, Saddam, or George Bush--they would choose George Bush. It just shows you to what extent they are being endoctrinated in the public schools and especially college. Hope to see you at more FReeps.

[CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC]

Hello, all -
I have tapes of all 5 Denver TV station newscasts Saturday. Unfortunately I couldn't get the video DIRECTLY into digital (my Snappy video card and software would not attach the audio to the video as it should have). So I had to indirectly capture video+audio by pointing a digital camera at the TV while the VHS tape was playing. The result is a bit ugly (eg interference patterns) but viewable ---

• Fox31(1.9MB)Two new Freepers(?) to the left of Mollynme.
• News4 #1(1.7MB) BeaversMom with 2 sons, new Freeper(?), Mollynme.
• News4 #2(6.2MB) Mollynme, BeaversMom's family, other Freepers.
• 9News(2.9MB) WildVoice_SF and twin brother arguing with Clueless Coeds. Note salute given by Freeper to a passing car.
• WB2(4.1MB) Littlest Beaver, Island Princess(?), Mollynme, others. Note: The TV station got the names completely wrong for the two Freepers who spoke!
• News7(5.3MB) Beaver Brothers, Mollynme, others.

And here are some stills I took with my digital camera pointed at the TV while the VHS tape was going. The first three are from News4 and the rest from 9NEWS ---

[mollynme]

Thanks! How many hours of work was this??