Pix the anti-Americans took of the pro-war rally. WE LOOK GOOD!
Posted on 03/31/2003 8:16:00 AM PST by Jakarta ex-pat
It was a beautiful day in San Francisco on Saturday, 3/29, in more ways than one. Not only was the weather fantastic, but the Civic Center Plaza was filled with patriotic Americans. Unlike the anti-war rabble that has dominated the plaza in recent months, the crowd at Saturday’s ''Support Our Troops Rally'' was clean-cut, well-behaved, and positive.
There were probably about 800-1000 people at the peak of the rally, and even afterwards, when the crowds had dwindled, many people stayed to chat. And across the street in front of the steps of City Hall, an impromptu group waved flags and cheered at honking passersby for a good hour after the rally ended.
The rally was low-key in comparison with A.N.S.W.E.R’s lavish events, probably because they have a lot more funding, the sources of which remain something of a mystery. In contrast, the pro-troops rally was paid for out of the pockets of its organizers, as well as the crowd who lined up to make donations. A flatbed truck with American flags draped across the bottom served as a stage, and out of the speakers drifted the sounds of down-home, patriotic music.
The rally was emceed by Mark Walser, who opened up with the customary Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a prayer and moment of silence. The petite Filipino sisters, the Molano Twins, sang the National Anthem, God Bless America, and God Bless the USA, in soulful, lilting voices. Speakers included the wife of a U.S. Marine in Iraq, representatives from the SFSU and Hastings College Republicans, a Gulf War veteran, Julie Lietzell of the Common Sense Majority Coalition, Chronwatch's own Leo Lacayo, and San Francisco Supervisor Tony Hall. The keynote speaker, the West Coast representative for the Iraqi-American Council, Bassam Al-Husaini, gave a chilling indictment of Saddam Hussein’s regime and made the case for his removal more eloquently than anyone else could. Rally organizer Alfredo Najera, First Vice Chair of the San Francisco Republican National Hispanic Assembly, gave a moving speech, during which he read a letter from his brother serving in Iraq.
Many groups convened at the rally, including members of www.freerepublic.com, www.patriotwatch.com, www.protestwarrior.com, the Republican Jewish Coalition, Women with W, and a host of others. There were also families with kids, veterans, young people, elderly and everything in between. American, British, and Australian flags were everywhere, along with all kinds of signs.
There were a few ''anti-war'' hecklers on the sidelines who showed the usual lack of taste, but not much else. They were mostly ignored by the crowd at the rally, although a few of them found themselves drowned out by the chants of ''USA, USA!'' Let’s just say, it was a refreshing change to see the anti-America crowd in the minority for once.
The fact that this rally occurred in San Francisco of all places, is a testament to the strength and perseverance of Americans who love their country and seek to honor its brave soldiers.
In San Francisco! That is superb!!!
(800-1000 can be quite a crowd. Police estimate we had that at our rally at Camp Murray in WA Saturday to have had 1000 people.)
Pix the anti-Americans took of the pro-war rally. WE LOOK GOOD!
Alas, no, I'm afraid. I looked everywhere for her as I was certain the question would come up. I just hope she's happy and well cared for wherever she is.
And to the ping list, this is yet another description of the SF Rally that I wrote for Chronwatch...
Because they are LAW OBIDING PATRIOTIC CITIZENS WHO LOVE OUR TROOPS, and UNDERSTAND this war.
The other anti-American groups have an AGENDA. They have tried to undermine the US for a long time, and will stop at nothing to destroy us.
What a refreshing story..and it is going to be repeated often in America!!
What a JOY it is.. WHAT A WONDERFUL DEMONSTRATION OF TRUE DEMOCRACY to participate in a Support rally!!
BTW,.. where were all the liberal teachers who TOOK their kids out of school to stage walkouts? Where is the balance? Why aren't they SHOWING our kids the other side of things. The teachers who pulled their kids out of class to protest against our country.. ought to be REQUIRED to bring them to the other rallies too, rallies of those WHO SUPPORT HER!!
The ProtestWarrior folks were quite happy when I mentioned that I've seen their signs backstage at the SF ballet (my friend's wife dances there). The dancers have up "No Blood for Oil" and the stage crew has up "Hey, France! Shut the Hell Up" from the PW website.
Even Berkley was represented, as I saw at least two signs which mentioned Hastings Law School in support of the war and/or the troops.
(for those who do not know, Hastings is the law school at Cal)
OOPS!!
My mistake, thanks for the correction.
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