MARCH 15 RALLY AFTER ACTION REPORT EUREKA CALIFORNIA

March 15, 2003 | Beeline40

[Beeline40@aol.com]

Well, fellow freepers our rally was a great sucess.

First we arrived at the National Guard Armory in Eureka at about 8:00 am to send off our troops. I swear half of the city turned out.

Our congressman Bagdad Mike Thompson was there and I took the opportunity to give him a piece of my mind. He is a real jerk folks let me tell you. I dont think he stayed long and I suspect he got an earful from other people as well.

There was about four anti-war people there, but they were by and large ignored. When everybody started singing God Bless America, America The Beautiful and the Star Spangled Banner they quietly left.

Then it was time for our troops to get ready to leave, and we started singing Amazing Grace and the Our Father. The men and women were given about 10-15 minutes to say goodbye to their loved ones. It was so hard to see this. The people who came out to support our troops quietly left so the troops could have a private moment with thier loved ones. We handed out flyers about our rally and invited everyone to come.

Today was the big peace march. I arrived at our rally site at about 10:00 am. The Peace March was going to start at 12:00 pm, starting at the war memorial building and ending up at the gazebo in old town Eureka.

Tom, my fellow organizer showed up at the court house about 11:00 and we started setting up and getting started. All of a sudden a bunch of people started showing up, it was great. At one point a group of young people came by and thought this was the peace rally and picked up some of our signs until they noticed what the signs said, the number of American Flags should have clued then in as well. A womans group showed up and served all of us coffee, donuts, and nachos.

The women in black showed up and were shocked to see us there. We only got more vocal. God must have been smiling on us today, because it just so happens, the peace march was going to come our way.

The police started to show up across the street. At first we thought they were there to keep the peace between the women in black and us. Then the Incident Command showed up. I told everyone that I bet the marchers were going to pass by and they were going to make sure that nothing happened.

We had about 40 and at the peak of the rally we had up to 200 people all local. Now in Humboldt County that is a good number. The peaceniks had to bus people in.

When they came by, it was great, they were not prepared to see us there, they were expecting the women in black. We sang, engaged them, it was the most exhilarating (spelling) experience I ever had. Some of the signs were funny, here are some examples, Blondes for Peace (I kid you not, nuff said), Harry Potter for President(okey Dokey), Sufers for Peace (hang ten man), Who would Jesus bomb? (Pleeze). I am telling all of you who havent seen these people up close, just go and watch them in action. The signs were mostly anti Bush and anti American. It was a sea (police estimated the crowd at about 2000 people)of very misled people it is an education watching these folks.

The police were really trying to keep us apart. Thank you Eureka Police Department, Sheriff Department, CHP job well done. They were really impressed with our group.

I want to thank all of the people who showed up, the vets, business people, the College Republicans of Humboldt State, talk about being in enemy territory.

I know I left some things out, I am hoping Tom can add to it. Pictures will be posted today on this thread.

[Bob J]

Congratulations and thank you for representing FR and all conservatives well!

[Beeline40@aol.com]

Oh, and another great sign I saw Frodo Failed Bush has the Ring. I shouted back Yes and thank God he does.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Good job, Beeline. Just got back from our demonstration in San Francisco to counter the appeaseniks...about 22 showed up for our side and swarms of media including the CBC (Canada, eh?)

[Beeline40@aol.com]

One thing I found out, people really want to show thier support, we had people show up today that never expected that they would be doing this sort of thing. Dont worry, more and more people are starting to come out and show support for our president and our troops. I kept hearing this all day today. They want to do it again.

[blam]

Excellent. Thanks to all.

[maestro]

There was about four anti-war people there, but they were by and large ignored. When everybody started singing God Bless America, America The Beautiful and the Star Spangled Banner they quietly left.

Thanks for being there!

(Freedom to sing!......Sing to Freedom!)

[Beeline40@aol.com]

The icing on the cake was, confronting the marchers, it really got a lot of frustration out. Cant wait until the next one. We are going to organize a convoy dont know when yet. I will keep you all posted.

[henryporter]

Gosh! That's tremendous work! All these people showing support, it's wonderful. It is almost -- but not quite -- enough to make one ask why the U.S. can't get the votes of France, Germany, Syria, Cameroon, Angola, Guinea, Chile, Russia, China,or even Mexico, isn't it? Foreigners! Hope those folks all come back safe and sound. And never have to deal with the V.A. ...

[Beeline40@aol.com]

Ok, I just got some pictures emailed to me, how do I post them to this thread?

[Porterville]

I was there!! I'm trying to get the pictures posted up on the web but it might take a couple of days. Them Peaceniks were running scared. We kicked ass.

[Gracey]

After reading your post, I have tears of happiness for your fine efforts. We Texans are VERY proud of you guys in Humboldt County. It's some of the finest country in the USA (I'm a Californian) but has some of the largest tree hugger population, similar to my town of Austin.

Keep up the good work. I tell people that California is much more conservative and Republican than people give it credit.

Looking forward to your pictures.

[maestro]

Ok, I just got some pictures emailed to me, how do I post them to this thread?

'B,______40',.....I've not posted any myself!

Willie,.....,.....ALL,...any help?

[Gracey]

Nicole, can you help maestro post his Rally pics?

[Gracey]

Nicole, can you help maestro post his Rally pics?

[maestro]

Beeline40@aol.com; has the pics,.....I have none.

sorry,....I can't be of help!

[Justice]

Super job and great report. God Bless America!!

[Gracey]

Just go to some active post where someone is posting pictures and they will help you post them. Hope this helps. Try the Atlanta Rally thread.

[Justice]

I can post your pics. Freep mail me and I will send my real email address for you to send them to me.

[Justice]

I can post your pics. Freep mail me and I will freepmail a reply back to you with my real email address You then can email the pics to me at my real email address and I will post them in minutes.