Doctor Johnson described Flora MacDonald as "a woman of middle stature, soft features, elegant manners and gentle presence." He also said of her: "Her name will be mentioned in history, and if courage and fidelity be virtues, mentioned with honour."
Posted on 12/30/2005 8:07:26 PM PST by kristinn
An officer with Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) ordered the D.C. Chapter of Free Republic to silence our voices tonight at our weekly support the troops demonstration outside Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
The officer cited complaints from the neighborhood about the noise our voices make as we chastise the so-called antiwar protesters across the street at the main gate to Walter Reed.
The officer went across the street and issued the same order to the Code Pinkos. We're not sure if the order applies to their singalong guitar player (who serenaded the wounded troops tonight with Bob Dylan's "Knocking on Heaven's Door".)
Two weeks ago, several MPD officers staked out our Walter Reed demonstration. One officer issued a similar order but he did not enforce it as we verbally challenged it on First Amendment grounds and called in a complaint to MPD's 4th District HQ where Walter Reed is located.
We plan to formally challenge tonight's order as a violation of our First Amendment rights. D.C. case law is extremely "liberal" when it comes to exercising First Amendment rights and we believe there is strong grounds for our right to vocalize our political beliefs.
Our permit application on file with MPD clearly states that we planned to use battery powered megaphones. MPD has not denied the usage of megaphones when they processed the application. However, out of respect for the residents in the mixed-use area we have never used megaphones--just our voices.
The D.C. noise ordinance kicks in at 10 p.m. We stop using our loud voices between 9 and 9:30 p.m. when Code Pink slinks off before the Fran O'Brien's bus returns to Walter Reed with the soldiers and their family members.
Several months ago, Code Pink left fliers at the doors of residences near Walter Reed encouraging them to call the police to complain about our vocal exercising of our First Amendment rights.
We understand the complaints of those who live in the neighborhood, however our demonstration would be crippled if we were silenced.
We've never had to file a lawsuit in seven years of activism in our nation's capital, but there's a first time for everything.
EVEN??? Delaware = 30 miles in 90 minutes. I wish I had had my book up front with me. LOL!!
Well, since I wasn't there to see it...I'm glad to hear about it. Good job!
Out of respect for everyone's feelings, I did not film them.
If it walks like a totalitarian, talks like a totalitarian, and smells like a totalitarian, it's a Code Pinko symp.
Excellent Idea!
It'll be fun to out-Martin Sheen 'em.
These must've been the same asshats I saw on the way to the fab DC Chapter Christmas party.
That they were. It wasn't until I heard about the antiwar group and their Christmas tree antics on Dec. 26, that I was able to get a name on them. Their web site also lists WR as a place to be on Fridays.
Since half of them are very old, I doubt any of them will be at WR.
[Mr] T
Oh, don't tease, tell it!!!!
I'm sorry Freema, I'm into the Eagle's game and brain dead to anything else, what do you need me to tell?
Time to buy a guitar ...
Thank you for the report! You guys are AWESOME!
Fight back NOW! Or join pro-lifers who have lost so much of their own First Amendment rights already.
And show what utter hypocrites they are.
Or patriotic songs.
"Can you ask them for their help?"
It is forbidden for military personnel to participate in demonstrations as military personnel.
They can go to demonstrations, but they can't wear their uniforms or announce themselves as military members.
video tape both sides just in case there is a problem and this goes to court. send copies to the news media. im sitting here thinking what if my son was in that hospital and some &(^%&^( was playing & singing knocking on heavens door. i would have to go out there and bust that guitar over his head.
"DYLAN was a talented guy "
I never thought so. Never liked him.
"Why can't they go in civilian clothes and protest against the Code Pink agenda?"
Well, these guys are wounded, right? And they have military bearing and military haircuts, so they are readily identifiable as patients even if they are in civilian clothes.
That means that the chain of command is going to order them to stay away from the protestors, and that the media would have a perverse field day if they did show up.
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