More than 100,000 marchers fill Civic Center (FreeRepublic mentioned)

sfgate.com ^ | February 16, 2003

[Cultural Jihad]

Marchers are continuing to stream into San Francisco's Civic Center this afternoon where tens of thousands of anti-war demonstrators will hear from several speakers, including U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee.

The demonstrators began to march at 11:30 a.m. after a rally at Justin Herman Plaza and have so far heard from actor Danny Glover in the plaza in front of City Hall. Lee, D-Oakland, musicians Bonnie Raitt and Joan Baez, and author Alice Walker are also scheduled to address the crowd.

[Missouri]

>>the leftists would never protest the gassing of Kurdish children by Saddam,<<


Nor would they protest the bombing of Serbia by Clinton. Where were they when this was going on?
Its all about GWB.

[Bob J]

Which means we have to carefully pick and choose those times we ask people to give up a Saturday and redouble our efforts at networking with other groups who may add to the count!

I do know this LB, everyone loves a show and don't like being left out when they believe there is a "happening". With proper promotion and networking with other groups, an event will take on a life of it's own with regards to support and attendance. Our goal should be to push that "got to be there" snowball up the hill until it reaches the apex and starts rolling downhill on it's own.

[Little Bill]

I disagree, you FReep 'em everytime they show their faces. You have to show that there are people in opposition, you have to present a contrast.

I have been to FReeps in DC and NYC but I think the most effective FReeps are the ones that happen every week on the street cornors of America. You have to oppose these people every day and at every oppertunity. It has to be upfront and personal, one man, one sign makes a difference.

[HighRoadToChina]

The wonderful right-wing lady who was quoted was Mrs. HighRoadToChina. Isn't she great, or what? She even convert 2 peaceniks to the correct point of view! I was able to speak on the David Gold radio show on KSFO-thanks to Dave from Sacramento (sorry my brain needs sugar) and SeenTheLight. It was a great FReeper. We drew the peaceniks to our demonstration. The SFPD was awesome in protecting us. More to follow.

[Cultural Jihad]

WooHoo!

[Bob J]

I'm not advocating cutting back on any activism, particularly for those who are able and have the desire to get out every week. However, I have been told privately by some chapter members that one of the reasons they are no longer involved is because the chapter was requesting too much of their time and some made them feel bad if they didn't go to every function or event. Heck, I've seen this attitude right on FR threads and it can be very destructive.

With that in mind, allow me to rephrase my point. Chapter leaders need to be aware that there are differing levels of committment among their members and need to keep it top of mind when they with they request to get out and FReep more often than their members are able. Continually pushing people to put in time they don't have is a sure way to burn them out and drive people away. They need to temper their urge to market every event as "you absolutely HAVE to be there" and save it for those times when an event is absolutely critical. Otherwise, for the serial events a good approach is "We understand if you can't make it but would love to have you!"

I'm not suggesting this is what happens in your chapter, but I do know it goes on in others.

[Cultural Jihad]

The SFPD was awesome in protecting us.

The biggest defender of Constitutional rights is the government, after all. That is why the anarchists and Marxists hate them so.

[PoisedWoman]

The wonderful right-wing lady who was quoted was Mrs. HighRoadToChina.

Kudos to you and Mrs. HRTC! I have not run into you on a thread before, but happy to see you are Freeping with the best of them.

[Little Bill]

Bob, we don't expect anyone to show up, those who can will, those who can't won't, street theater is not eveyones cup of tea. I know a lot of Mass, NH, and,Maine Freepers face to face, very nice people, but the Idea of going out and getting in somwones face is not their thing.

We, who do get out, stand in proxy for them. As RaceBannon asked me years ago, "How many FReepers did you get out?"

I said," About five."

Race said, "About average."

[Angelwood]

Thanks go to Mrs. HighRoadToChina for getting quoted by the press and for converting two peaceniks to the correct point of view!

Thanks to you also for being able to speak out on David Gold's radio show. Comwatch and SeenTheLight have worked hard to get out our message in Sacramento and other areas of California.

I'm glad that the SFPD was so good at protecting you. The DC Chapter enjoys a very respectful and professional relationship with all the various police forces in D.C. Keep up the good work and FReep On!

[Bob J]

Race was right, many chapters do have problems getting people to their events. Any ideas?

[Kay Soze]

In the names of Susan Sarandon, Martin Sheen, George Clooney, Madonna, Sean Penn:

[Jerez2]

Bob J, and others, we had about 60 people there at the counter-demonstration. We had 2 leaders, SeenTheLight and comwatch, who helped figure out logistics; HighRoadtoChina had put together a brochure about Iraq and why we oppose Saddam so strongly; and I had put together a Fact Sheet refuting the most common protest points one by one. We all talked to reporters, since as you know they don't like being steered to 'spokespeople.' We have some PR expertise in our (nascent) chapter. so we were able to get the word out on local AM radio as well as via FR. So I think we were as organized as a truly grass-roots effort can be.

[Cultural Jihad]

They look rather peaceful. The Hollyweird pacifists are always glad to be of service.

[Little Bill]

Yes I do.

1:) You aren't going to get hurt, violence detracts from both sides, the commies realize this and so do we, bring your kids they have a better chance of getting hurt in a Government school, than at most small counter protests.

You don't have to protest every week, show up when you can.

Protesting is the warmest feeling you will get, outside of your first love.

WE are too spotted around the country to develop any mass at a protest, small FReeps attracts members in the local area, time and exposure.

[Drango]

For the record, I believe the reporteret who wrote this story was wearing a "NO WAR IRAQ", bright orange, media badge issued by the peacenik group. We sharply questioned her objectivity and she really didn't have much of a response.

[Bob J]

Sounds great! If you wouldn't mind, put that information into a summary and we can post it on the FRN website so other chapters can benefit from your knowledge and experience!

[Cultural Jihad]

We sharply questioned her objectivity and she really didn't have much of a response.

What?! She is a journalist! That's what they're there for, to pass judgments upon other people! < /sarcasm >

[Bob J]

I'm not so sure, violence seems to follow these people around at their rallies. 220 people were arrested by the police this weekend in NY and those images of Seattle will never clear from my mind.

As far as being spotted around the country, agreed. I will say this, for being so spotty we can make a noise when we need to! BTW - I'm not worried about being spotty. I'd rather see 50 people at 100 venues around the country than 5000 people at one.

[Concentrate]

Race was right, many chapters do have problems getting people to their events. Any ideas?

Here's one: Let's do something besides counter big Marxist rallies. We need events to go to where we don't have to worry about things getting violent. We need events where we can spread our message and bring our families without fear of "the unwashed" attacking us. We need our own rallies. What do you think?