Support the Troops rally in Boca Raton 04-14-03

Me | 04-14-03 | Me

[Sledge]

We had a small, but excessively visible rally today in Boca Raton. Seeking the truth, maccraze, Jack Furnari (I forgot your nick, sorry), my daughter Erin and yours truely took up positions on the Spanish River Blvd. overpass over I-95 today at around 4:00 pm, just in time for rush hour.

Jack brought his 15'x30' foot flag to hang off of the overpass and I brought my #2 daughter and camera.

The flag was unfurled at a little after 4:00 pm and the reception from the (captive) I-95 motorists was overwhelmingly positive. There were several, umm..., dissenters (3) but they were outnumbered by the hundred of supporters on I-95 and Spanish River Blvd. The highlight was when the Tri-Rail train blew his horn in support of the troops. I was down on I-95 taking photos when the horn went off and I almost jumped out of my shoes. I was saved only by the weight of my lens.

After about an hour one of Boca's finest came by to shut us down because we presented a "traffic hazard". On his way out he lit up his siren in support.

___________________________________________________________________

This photo shows the scale of the flag and the elevation of the rally location.

maccraze and Seeking the truth support the flag while supporting the troops.

My #2 daughter Erin waves to the motorists.

Jack gives a thumbs up to supportive motorists.

Gene, Gene, the FReepin' machine.

The local constabulary shows up to put an end the festivities.

[Sledge]

After action report and pics posted. Enjoy.

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[Ax]

I was driving south on I-95 yesterday about 1745 on my way to Hillsborough Boulevard. There were a bunch of folks on one of the overpasses - I forget which one - and I opened up my sunroof to give them a "thumbs up." I always find out about these positive gatherings only AFTER tney happen.

[Ax]

I was driving south on I-95 yesterday about 1745 on my way to Hillsborough Boulevard. There were a bunch of folks on one of the overpasses - I forget which one - and I opened up my sunroof to give them a "thumbs up." I always find out about these positive gatherings only AFTER tney happen.

[Jacvin]

Great photos Sledge!!!

MacCraze brought the big flag, not me.

[Jacvin]

That was Maccraze yesterday.

He is a machine!

[Sledge]

So YOU are Jacvin. I need to make a South Florida Freeper photo album so I can keep the names straight. Freepmail me with your email and I will send you the Proudmom pic.

[Jacvin]

Hope that YOU is a good YOU! :)

[Fearless Flyers]

Great pics Sledge.

Why did the police end the festivities?

The overpass should be considered State property so I don't believe they have jurisdiction over what you can hang from it and it looks like theres a public walkway across it.

I'd love to go to court for flying the flag. I thought Jeb signed a bill last year stating that the temporary display of the American Flag can not be infringed.

We should get a copy of that bill and see if there's a constitutional issue here.

I know we have to respect Law enforcement, but if they're over stepping their bounds we have to stand up for our rights too. Quite often I've noticed the Boca Police are ignorant of the laws, and sometimes suffer from a authority complex.

Sorry I couldn't make it by the time I got back today it was too late to go out.

[Fearless Flyers]

Way to go Guys sorry I couldn't be there.

What are the plans for next week end?

[Sledge]

As you can see, Jack talked to the cop, so all my info is second hand. He said we presented a "Traffic Hazard". More likely than not one of the 3 anti's we saw called and ratted on us.

We left at 5:20, so we were not that far off of our ETD anyway.

[Fearless Flyers]

I'm the guy who made an officer confiscate my kite and give me ticket for disturbing the peace, because he didn't like the fact that a single white guy (anticipating I was an easy push over) was enjoying his favorite past time on the beach.

While I was receiving the ticket there were 6 young men of an ethnic minority about fifty yards away illegally consuming alcohol and no one bothered them that day for some reason.


When I went to court the judge nearly through the case out until the Law enforcement representative lied and told him I had been warned three times.

The judge fined me a dollar plus court costs and told the cop to quit harassing me.

I wore that ticket as a badge of honor for three years until I stupidly went swimming with it.

What to you expect from a constitutionalist who’s a registered Democrat though?

[Clemenza]

Ah, Boca Raton, the land of lefty Democrats Robert Wexler, Ron Klein, Irving Schlossberg and Clemenza's middle-of-the-road parents. Happy to see you guys turn out in Scarsdale South.

[Jacvin]

The laws basically state that you cannot disrupt traffic or create a traffic hazard when you protest.

The officer was very sympathetic and appreciated what we were trying to do, but they had received a complaint.

Let's be honest with ourselves, much as I enjoy overpass Freeps, they definitely increase
the hazard for highway motorists.

For every driver on the highway to take their eyes off the road at exactly the same time, while driving as fast as they can and then quickly trying to honk their horns, does strike me as something less than safe. Whenever I do one, I worry about causing an accident.
No matter what the cause, the police anywhere will always chase you away for exactly that reason.

We had a good hour and no one was hurt. In my view we scored.
Let’s just enjoy the Freep.

[Seeking the truth]

Beg to differ, Jack.

The Police have absolutely no right to tell any citizen to vacate a public sidewalk.

This right was held at the US Supreme Court level.

A citizen voids those rights if and when one goes into the street itself.

Yesterday, we never left the sidewalk.

Jack, every protest next to a street where cars drive by provides a distraction.

Normal flag waving at election time at intersections could be outlawed under the same defintion - they are not as we remain on public sidewalks.

That's the key - public sidewalks.

I have this debate recorded on a tape recorder when I challenged the Aventura Sargeant who was trying to move us away off a public sidewalk during a Clinton protest. After he saw my recorder, he abruptly changed his mind.

Cops very often make it up as they go along.

As you said, nonetheless, we did accomplish our mission and the Freep was a sucess.

IMOH, the Highway Patrol could have made us take down that hugh flag. They have the jurisdiction of the overpass itself.

[Jacvin]

Maybe you're right legally. I was standing next to you for the tape recorder incident in case you've forgotten. You were great.

I guess my real point is I see a difference between motorists going 30MPH on Federal highway and motorists going 70mph on I-95.

Had someone died in an accident because they were looking at our flags I don't know that I would've still considered the Freep a success.

Conservatives always like to say that with Freedom comes responsibility.

Maybe we have the legal right. I'm just saying I saw a few close calls yesterday on the road and was a little nervous that we were being irresponsible.

Maybe having a little boy has wimped me out a little bit, but I would not want someone's death or injury on my conscience over a Freep.

[Proudmom]

Great Job Guys and Gals...I wish I was there! Mona drove from work and saw ya ,she called me right away..I cant imagine why any one would complain to the police...I am so lucky to be an AMERICAN!!!!

[Jacvin]

Proudmom

Did you get my private e-mail? I was having some trouble
e-mailing you.

Nice to see you On Free Republic!