Posted on 03/23/2003 12:18:02 PM PST by grimalkin
BELLEVUE - Thousands rallied in downtown Bellevue Saturday in the biggest pro-troops demonstration yet in Western Washington.
The demonstrations have regularly taken over the intersection of 4th and Bellevue Way NE on Saturdays.
This time organizers estimate 5,000 people lined the intersection and a half block in each direction with American flags, pro troops signs, and a variety of reasons why they were there.
"Because I'm a veteran and I wish I'd had this in Vietnam," said William Ball of Everett. "I support our troops 100%."
"I mean we love our country and we know what our good President is doing," added Carol Cassidy.
Bob Riggins said he's supporting the sons and daughters of America including his own.
"He called me last night and says all he sees is the protests and the demonstrations against the war," he said of his son stationed in Korea. "And he doesn't see any of the support and I told him we're out here."
Adrienne Anderson Smith wanted to send a message to her nephew who is a U.S. Marine.
"Our prayers are with you," she said. "Be strong and I know you will be."
"I'm here because its the right thing to do," said Steve Castle. "I think Iraqis have human rights just like everybody else and they probably want a little freedom. That's why I'm here and to support the guys, God Bless you, that are bringing that to be."
The Bellevue rally began at 11:00 a.m. At the same time a smaller group of pro-troops demonstrators took their march to Westlake Center in downtown Seattle where several anti-war protests have taken place in the last several weeks. Police put up barricades to keep them separated from a small group of anti-war protesters who chose to hold their American flags upside down.
"Well I fought for them so that they have that right," said William Ball of protesters speaking out peacefully against the war. "They have the right to protest we have the right to do our thing."
"There are too many anti-war protests going on," said Angela Craig whose husband is in the Marines. "So I want to come down and show them the other side. This is how it should be."
The Bellevue rally was sponsored and organized by am radio station 570 KVI.
No doubt management will be requesting an explanation of Mr. Reese in the near future.
Congratulations on a wonderfully successful rally!
Thanks for posting a pic of my sign!
"9 Out Of 10 Bloodthirsty Tyrants *agree* Appeasement Works!"
Several people told me how much they liked it. One man said he hoped to see it on the news (it didn't show up; my guess is that the on-the-scene reporters didn't care for it, since they walked past me several times and had plenty of opportunity to photograph it). A woman told me it was her husband's favorite sign.
Notice how I included a free plug for Free Republic on my sign, too.
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