Fresno Treats for Troops and Counter-peacenik Rally Friday 10-26-01

10/26/01

[mtngrl@vrwc]

Tonight's Fresno Treats for Troops and Counter-Peacenik Rally was a smashing success! While we didn't get the huge crowd that we hoped to get tonight, I would estimate that we had approximately 30 dedicated and enthusiastic demonstrators on our side altogether. There were about the same number of peaceniks across the street.

Our rally was attended by Channel 26 as well as Channel 30 who took pictures of our protest and interviewed JustAmy (and maybe others).

Mama-Bear brought a banner that was made up for our rally and all who attended signed it. It will be brought back next week to get additional signatures before it is mailed off to the troops. We also collected a huge amount of "Treats" for our troops to mail along with the banner.

We had a megaphone with us tonight and Saundra Duffy led the group in some chants of "USA" , "We don't care what you say, we're going to bomb them anyway", "All we are saying, is give bombs a chance" and "We support the troops". She also thoroughly enjoyed harrassing the peaceniks across the street with chants such as "You're not a man, you support the Taliban".

FReepers attending tonight's rally were

• Jim Robinson (and his wife, Sheila and son, Chris)
  
• Mama_Bear
  
• jkphoto (Also known as Mr. Mama_Bear)
  
• mtngrl@vrwc
  
• patriciaruth
  
• grace1
  
• JustAmy
  
• Saundra Duffy
  
• lager
  
• nonessential-personel (who brought his wife and three children with him)
  

[patriciaruth]

Saundra is really fabulous! I doubled over with laughter more than once, the way she was taunting the women about going home and putting a burqa (veils) on and shutting up because women aren't supposed to speak. And "the Taliban loves you," and "traitors!" and "Thank you, Greens for voting for Nader, because we have George W. Bush for President." She was fearless!
Hope she can come next week.
But the best was her sign, "INFIDELS UNITE!"
Absolutely inspired!

[JustAmy]

Bumping by to say what a great time I had freeping with you and all of our wonderful FReepers and FRiends

[gracie1]

Did ou notice we also attracted a bt of attention from the stores behind us, Lens Crafters and Sprint.

Did any get the names of the 2 young girls that joined us for a while? They dropped in and enjoyed themselves chanting with us. It goes to show that not all young people will let themselves get snowed by pacifistic propaganda.

[notaliberal]

Your pictures are beautiful!!!!!!!! What I see are loyal Americans showing their love for their country and supporting the men and women that give of themselves to keep us free.

A big thank you mtngr. You do a better job of reporting than the "perfumed princes of the press".

[gracie1]

That is a cooool idea!

[gracie1]

I really liked that Flag!

When all this first happened, we were looking all over town for flags, like everybody else. I saw that flag at Presleys and immediatly realized that expressed my feelings exactly. Unfourtantly, they were out. I guess others felt the same way.

[diotima]

Good Work!

[Dustbunny]

I really loved the Infidels Unite poster. I was there right beside you in my heart.

[bosniajmc]

Thanks for posting the pics. That looks like it was a lot of fun! Great idea. Summer, you might enjoy thread too.

[ohioWfan]

Thanks for the ping, mtngrl!! You folks are busy aren't you?!! GOOD JOB!!

Did you ever figure out a FReeper equivalent of "Hell no, we won't go"? That should give the old 60's peaceniks a fit!! LOL!!

[davidosborne]

thanks for the ping..

David

[American Preservative]

Thanks for the ping! FRabluous job Fresno FReepers!

SiFiPattie - what a great idea! : )

Cool Guy - ping!

[nonessential-personel]

What a GREAT time it was to be there last night. We had a lot of fun supporting our troops, waving at other supporters and just celebrating the freedom of America. What a contrast from the frumpy, self-righteous peacenik mob across the street. All they seemed to get were one-fingered salutes and jeers. Maybe they shouldn't protest during 5:00 to 7:00 PM when all the people who carry this country are coming home from a long day's work. Great time and hope to do it again! Thanks Saundra and JustAmy !

[A Navy Vet]

SALUTE!

[WillaJohns]

Tell Chris and Sheila......LOOKING GOOD!

I'm so proud of all you guys. THANKS EVERYONE!

[JustAmy]

I enjoyed meeting you and your family last night. Hope to see you again on the 2nd. BTW your sign was grrrreat.
Didn't we have fun?

[JustAmy]

Are you going to get your pictures uploaded today?
I checked out the Bee and could find nothing on our Rally, but the editorial page did have a short letter from pro-terrorist V. Lavery. He called our military terrorists: we hit and run. Guess he wants to see body bags so he can use those to recruit more uninformed young people. Like non-essential says "Freedom isn't Free".

[Mama_Bear]

Yes, I will get them posted in a few minutes. They all need to be cropped and resized (and the ones of Mama_Bear retouched just a bit, LOL!) It takes awhile. I am only going to post a couple on the thread here and then link to the rest. That way the images don't slow the thread down.

[goodieD]

good news, they said they will be getting more in next week.