Thanks - the people out there were great. We had some talk radio personalities (one taped the crowd saying the Pledge to use on his program), a state senator whose father fought in Normandy in WW II, many veterans. Some patriots on Harleys circled the plaza gunning their hogs, and in those glass canyons that makes quite an impressive sound. Also got honks from passersbye, reacting to all the waving flags. Street hawkers sold extra flags to people without (now that is capitalism lol).
One guy was leading some Assyrian Christians who had left Iraq for Chicago to be able to practice their religion in peace. He said he still had relatives in Iraq who he hadn't seen for 30 years, that he hoped to be able to see again soon. Said many there in the exile community were committed to helping rebuild a democratic Iraq, thanked Bush and our troops, etc. Had a big sign, made sure the media got pictures of it. As one speaker acknowledged, referring to the smaller counter demonstration, "all the Iraqis are over here".
I was very happy to see these Assyrian Christians and was hoping they would be there.
They congratulated me on my speech later and told me they are having a rally themselves a week from tomorrow on the north side of Chicago. I told them I would be there and to sign up on FR to publicize it. These are the folks who know the reality of this EVIL from their own personal experience.
All in all a great day and very good publicity for FR and freedom loving Americans.
Andy deserves a lot of credit for getting this together on such short notice. THREE CHEERS FOR ANDY! HIP HIP HOORAY.