St. Paul, MN Support the Troops Ralley

Self | 3-22-03 | Aeronaut

[Aeronaut]

St. Paul Support the Troops Ralley.

The sun shone on the positive side of civilization today. Many (I'm no good at estimating crowds) people turned out to show support for the American Fighting men and women. The Governor, the lone Republican Senator, and three of the foru Republican Representatives were in attendance.

Freeper Valin with my sign. (He hogged it incessantly throughout the day).

The other side of the sign.

[Aeronaut]

It was a good day.

[diotima]

The MN state Patrol estimated 15-20K people there!!! GREAT TURN OUT!!!! HERE

[Reagan Man]

3/22/2003 15:51 EST
A sign thanking President Bush and U.S. and British forces is held among "Liberate Iraq" signs and flags during a rally to support the troops at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, Minn., Saturday, March 22, 2003. The Minnesota State Patrol estimated the crowd size between 15,000 to 20,000. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) - - - - -

[Aeronaut]

Anyone else notice the "Liberate SoDak" sign? What a hoot!

[RnMomof7]

FYI

[Angelwood]

Thanks for the report and pictures of the rally. Today was a great day to get out and support our troops. FReep On!

[Dialup Llama]

I was at the rally and I was very disappointed by the third speaker, a representative of the muslim community in the Twin Cities. She started off well enough, saying that one could oppose Sadaam as a mulsim because he was a tyrant. Then she veered sharply into an anti-American litany which followed the line of CAIR (that we can loyally, support the ideals of America by hating America).

Well the crowd started to pick up on what she was really saying and began to jeer her. The MC who was not as smart as the crowd, asked that she be allowed to finish. Eventually it became obvious what was going on even to the dense MC and she got the boot. The MC got back on and made some reference to mic troubles.

To the MC of the event. Why does your conception fairness compell you to give a platform to an enemy? Mine doesn't. And she was an enemy. No mistaking that. You think that by requesting an offical speaker from the Twin Cities muslim community, that they were going to be straight with you? You got totally played. If you wanted a muslim, you could have got a Iraqi refugee like that Yakov guy. Instead you got completely tricked.

[Aeronaut]

I couldn't hear her where I was standing. It was obvious that those who could were not impressed. Why would you book a moron into a pro-troops ralley?

[terilyn]

Excellent pics and what a great turnout! I'm so sorry I couldn't make it today. Thanks for posting these.

Did you see any local media?

[SShultz460]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/872487/posts?page=1

Oops! You were Posting as I was!

[Aeronaut]

Did you see any local media?

Three helicopters! I think we made it.

[Reverend Bob]

The bottom photo gives a better picture of attendance (I suspect the others were taken early, and the crowd didn't hit it's peak until about 12:30). We didn't arrive until 12:15, and by then the step and driveway areas were completely packed, the crowd on the lawn stretched back quite a ways, and all local parking, including the Sears lot, was full.

After buying a tee-shirt and a flag I mingled and took some photos (not digital, alas). The Muslim woman's speech was overlong and interupted by some heckling, but Pawlenty gave a barn-burner. Coleman, Kline, and Guteneckt also spoke.

We left not long after Kline finished up and retired to O'Gara's for lunch and a Guiness, at which point things got really strange. There was a large anti-War march down Summit Ave, so the cops closed down Snelling Ave in front of the bar. This annoyed the bars patrons, though it did give them a good excuse to stay for another. When they did finally reopen the street, much of the traffic was people coming from our rally, waving signs, flying flags, and heading right in the direction of the other protestors. The two trucks flying huge flags, and the pickup whose bed was filled with people, signs, and flags are especially to be commended. The bar-flies in O'Gara's were very appreciative. "That guy is awesome!" said one of those watching some of our people drive by.

Later we had to drive East and ended up caught in a traffic jam caused by those same marchers. Lots of them, I'm sorry to say, and very closely watched by the police.

[stevem]

I'm no good at estimating crowds either, but if one of the anti-tax rallies would have that many people, we would be on to something.

Where I was standing, it was difficult to make out what the Muslim woman was saying except that it wasn't as pro-US. I gathered it was something about motivation or some such. Perhaps someone that could hear could let me know.

Otherwise, it was quite the rally. I like Pawlenty more every time I hear him.

[gore_sux]

Agreed. She should have said her prayer and then STFU. Instead she pushed it, and the crowd pushed back. Americans do not need to be lectured on our standing in the world, especially not right now as our troops are risking and losing their lives freeing Muslims.

I wish the crowd would have jeered a little more at that politically correct post 9-11 rally too.

[Bahbah]

Great job, you guys. Thanks. Aeronaut, did you fly your protective plane over the good patriots? Heheheh. It's one of the first things I see most mornings and it always makes ME feel safer.

[Reverend Bob]

I need to proof better. My post makes it sound like I went on a bender with John Kline after his speech! What I meant to say is that my friends and I retired to O'Gara's not long after Kline finished speaking.

[terilyn]

Wooo Hooo!! I'll be sure to watch the local news tonight, (as much as that pains me) LOL.

[Valin]

(He hogged it incessantly throughout the day).
HOG!! Hog he says! And after I generously volunteer to carry this heavy sign. Well I like that! I'm feeling a little put upon, and my self-esteem is dropping.

[Valin]

I was talking to a Highway patrolman after and he said 10-15K. The red star had someone couting heads and they will say 17K.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Way to go St Paul, Minnesota! You guys did great.