Austin Rally 3/30/03 after action report

3/30/03 | The Bat Lady

[The Bat Lady]

Finally the south steps of the Capitol in Austin TX. were covered with American flags and support the troops signs. Lots of support for President Bush. It was thrilling after so long of just a few of us meeting to support the troops to see the place covered with flags, cheering people and many saying we won't be silent any more.

[Jeff Head]

Whew! Way to go!

Wish I could have been down there with you all.

Keep after 'em at every turn, we will not be silent and we will not tolerate a fifth column to undo or hamper the just and worthy efforts of our personnel in Iraqi Freedom.

All the way to Baghdad. Let's Roll!

[Houmatt]

Missed you two! What happened?!?

[LurkerNoMore!]

I had to work all weekend
:-(

[Ms. AntiFeminazi]

Wow, that's a good turnout for such short notice and to be so close to Austin where another rally was being held.

I love Texas!

Shooter, Michaelman, Clinger - did you make it today?

[Ms. AntiFeminazi]

life. :(

[LurkerNoMore!]

likely story...

;-)

[Ms. AntiFeminazi]

LOL, you're one to talk!

[Shooter 2.5]

Nope. Sorry to say that I missed it. The bus trip was cancelled and I didn't really know where to meet anyone else at the late time.

I'm glad you had a nice time and made it back safely.

Only one anti[I won't call them anti-war. That's the military's job.] protester. That's great.

[Ms. AntiFeminazi]

I'll make sure you find out about our next local event in time to make plans. :)

[blam]

"I was dressed as the Statue of Liberty, even painted my face green."

Excellent rally!!

The Statue Of Liberty is clad in copper. When copper oxidizes, it turns green. A few years ago when it was restored, a metallurgist from Texas Instruments (Dallas) was in charge.

[Gracey]

Thanks. We had a great time and a fabulous turnout.

Here's a video link of the event Good Coverage on the Rally-
just click on the icon of the camera to watch.

http://www.news8austin.com/content/news8cast_video/

[Shooter 2.5]

Thank you. I do appreciate it.

Going to the rallies is enjoyable and it's the least I can do.

[PetroniDE]

Houston Supplement to the After Action Freep Report - Austin, TX (30 March 2003).

Earlier today several Freepers from the Houston Area Texans (H.A.T.) FR Chapter joined about 5000 others pro-Americans for another Rally for America. This event occurred at the South steps of the Capital Building in Austin, TX. This event was sponsored by the Young Conservatives of Texas at the University of Texas at Austin.

The Houston Freepers arrived at the State Capital around noon for the 3:00 event. At the arrival, an AFL-CIO sponsored rally for Cesar Chavez was wrapping up. By 1:00 pm, the AFL-CIO crowd was gone and the pro-America crowd began to gather. Once again, the "WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS" banner was in full display, along with a "Support our Troops/Support our President" yard sign, and a large U.S. Flag. Once again, the banner was a huge hit among the tourists and those attending the rally. Allegra served as the chapter photographer, but digital cameras were numerous at this event.

Speeches/Program Segments were given by the following people.
M.C. Dr. Alan Sager - Lecturer, Univ. of Texas/Travis County Republican Chair.
Susan Hawkins Sager - Invocation
Ret. Colonel Jim Foster - Pledge of Allegiance
Kyle Sisters - National Anthem
Colonel Hugh Shine - Veteran
Don Crawford - Radio Talk Show Host KLBJ (590-AM)
Rick Green - Founder of Patriot Academy
John Carter - U.S. Congressman (R, 31st-TX)
Jerry Patterson - Texas Land Commissioner

Numerous U.S. Flags and yard signs provided by Travis County Republican Party were present. Gracey from the H.O.T. FR Chapter brought a large Union Jack (England Flag). The Freepers were advised that media from the BBC would be present and several people gave them interviews. The local FOX station (Channel 8) was also noticed in the crowd. Among the other pro-America signs:
- Saddam, Can you hear us now, Can you hear us now, Can you hear us now?
- Two mural rememberances of 9/11/01.
- Signs indicating what A.N.S.W.E.R. really stood for. Sign by DrewsDad
- The Bat Lady dressed up as the Statue of Liberty.

One dissenter was spotted in the crowd with a "No War" sign. One participant of the pro-America had a sign for her that read "We Are The Red Diaper Dopper Babies", and this angered the dissenter. Angering the dissenter further was PetroniDE who had his bull horn on during the rendition of "God Bless America". All she could say on her way out in digust was "Viva Cuba". You want more humor, you got it. Plenty of material today.
- Houmatt got lost in the capital building during the pre-rally festivities.
- No Road Rally for America event is complete without PetroniDE taking a wrong turn somewhere. Getting to the event was no problem, but someone moved US-290 on the way home.
- El Arroyo was the chosen spot for the traditional after Freep meal. Among the menu items: DOG FRIES (no fry dog).
- A property tax reform group was in attendance and they passed out $2000 bills with a picture of President Bush. These dollar bills are somewhat complimentary toward our President, and the Houston Freepers tried to use them for purchases on the way home. No luck. Texans are too smart.
- At the next Freep or counter-Freep, bring Catnip. Tell the liberals it is "Free Weed". People in the crowd were cracking up just thinking about it.

OK - That is it for the evening. 368 miles and 13-1/2 hours later. Back at home base. Night All. Pictures from Allegra soon.

[BradyLS]

What's this madness about the Flip Side being taken off the air? I noticed it wasn't on, but thought it might be due to rally prep. I'll contact KLBJ and ask them to bring him back.

[jf55510]

I saw you on KXAN, good job!!!!!!

[PetroniDE]

I see we did have a Houston Chapter Split Squad today. Flyer, Anymouse, and TexasMom were in Alvin, with others in Austin.

If baseball teams can have Split Squads, so can Freepers.

[Allegra]

- A property tax reform group was in attendance and they passed out $2000 bills with a picture of President Bush. These dollar bills are somewhat complimentary toward our President, and the Houston Freepers tried to use them for purchases on the way home. No luck. Texans are too smart.

I'll be real curious to see if you have any success in passing off those Bush bucks for the real thing in Louisiana. :)

[TheDon]

Great pictures!

Liberty IS for everyone! But, for some reason, the pro-Saddam folks don't think so. Personally, I think they are racists.

[Gracey]

See video of Rally.. Post 31

[jrawk]

I had a great time, my girlfriend with me was moved to tears by the families of soldiers, and singing of god bless america.

Crowd estimation is such a tricky thing. But to help the locals along, the legal capacity outside at Stubb's is 2,400. That is when it fills up all the way back to the porta jons.

I do believe we had more than that, as the capital grounds is such an enourmous space. I did a sample, by counting the people around me in about a 10yrd by 10 yrd space, 30 people were spread out, which I think is normal dynamics for a crowd with such strong beliefs in the power of the individual. Socialist, and Communists stand closer together... ;)

Then looking back from my position near the front I counted the number of similar 10Sq Yard areas, and got around 100. (I actually just counted across and deep 10 and 10) That is my method for estimating a crowd, so I put it at around 3000. But people cycled in and out as well...

But more importantly, at all these rally's across the country you will find good, solid, honest, modest folk. Many of them, like myself, I don't think are comfortable gathering in public to rally around a political cause. They have strong beliefs, but that is countered by their modesty, and tendancies toward the strength of the individual. It is why they are known as the "silent" majority. It is not a normal social activity, and takes a much greater level of energy than the anit-war-bush-capitalism crowd. It takes a lot to get them together. Plus they have jobs ;)

In contrast, the anti-war-bush-capitalismc crowd, especially the young colleged aged and extreme group actually enjoy protesting. It is socially accepted and expected. In fact many are along for the social aspect, more than the socialist aspect of the protest. I back this up with the frequency of their protests. They are looking for any excuse to get out, beat drums, and block traffic.

I work downtown and a protests by these folks have happened nearly once a month for the last 3 years. Same signs, same tactics, same props, same people, different fake purpose each time. That has gone up of course now to highly aggravating levels.

I think that makes the troops rallies more important, and gives them more credibility. I know these people who are in the protest scene well. They are my peers I work with them, I hang out at the same clubs as them, many were, or are still my friends, many more frequent my social circles. (My favorite music hang out is Emo's, that will clue in locals Austinites to what brings close to their cliques).

You can trust in my assesment of them above. They talk excitedly at concerts, and keg parties about drawing chalk lines around themselves, and the last time they got arrested. And when the next one will be. With smiles on their face, not furrowed brows betraying concern for war, and their duty to destroy capitalism. They look like they are planning a party.


I have said too much ;)

-- lates