After Action Report - Rally For America, Houston, TX (1 March 2003)

01 March 2003 | PetroniDE

[PetroniDE]

It seems a lot of people, Freepers and just ordinary Americans alike, are sick and tired of the lies and propaganda that the anti-American crowd has been forcing down the throats of the American people. In a rally earlier today at Jones Plaza, located in downtown Houston, TX, a crowd estimated at over 10,000 people showed their appreciation for their President, their freedom, and the brave people (i.e. the military) that protect it.

Before I begin the rally recap, special kudos to talk radio station KPRC (950-AM) for organizing and sponsoring this rally; in less than two weeks, they lined up speakers and musical entertainment, while dealing with all the messy logistics that a successful rally requires. Another person who also gets kudos is Glenn Beck, who was in San Antonio earlier today for a similar event. KPRC carries his radio show and it was his rally in San Antonio that prompted KPRC to do the rally today.

It was a beautiful day for a rally with cloudy skies (no rain) and temperatures in the mid-60’s. The noon start time didn’t deter one Freeper (PetroniDE) from doing a Sheila Jackson-Lee imitation. He arrived at 8:00 am to put together the large “We Support Our Troops” banner in a strategic location (he also nearly performed a Ted Kennedy imitation since he was driving the wrong way down several streets; he is a Yankee; lucky he knows how to drive at all). Vintage military vehicles on display for the rally arrived at about 9:00 am and some time was spent on the balcony of Jones Plaza with the large banner on display for passing motorists.

The massive crowd began to arrive around 10:00 am. Some assistance was provided regarding building of the large balloon rainbow. Jones Plaza was basically completely filled by 11:30 am. Several people with large signs began walking around Jones Plaza in circular formation; by then a few other Freepers had arrived and joined in this makeshift parade. Anyone in Jones Plaza by 11:30 saw the banner, and the FreeRepublic and HoustonLiberty signs below it.

A sampling of other signs spotted at the rally. Some humorous, some with more serious themes.
- God Bless America. Thank God Al Gore is Not President.
- Martin Sheen: You are NOT President, You Only Play One on TV.
- Texas Terrorist Hunting Permit; No Bag Limit; No Tagging Required.
- We Have Nothing to Fear, Except Fear Itself, FDR, 1941; Let’s Roll, Todd Beamer, 2001.
- Liberate Iraq, Just Like We Did France.
- Babes Back Bush
- Numerous people showed up who have family members in the military and are currently stationed overseas; most of them had photos of the loved ones in uniform.

The following people gave speeches.
Pegi Ivancevich (Regent, Daughters of the American Revolution, San Jacinto Chapter)
Dan Pastorini (Former Houston Oilers Quarterback)
USAF Retired Major Ellis Buchanan (Formerly of NATO Command). During his speech, there were three flyovers by retired Air Force personnel. Michael Berry (Houston City Council). Kudos to him for voting against the anti-war resolution in Houston City Council earlier this week.
Kevin Brady (US House Deputy Majority Whip)
Tom Delay (US House Majority Leader)

Two other people gave speeches at the rally. In a major surprise, U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee made an appearance and gave a speech. The crowd response was mixed (some polite cheers and some boos), but considering that the crowd was nearly all conservatives, this was a polite response. KPRC stated up-front that this was a pro-America rally and politicians from both parties would be invited to speak (trying getting that from the other side). The other surprise speaker was Ahmad Hassam, a personal friend of moderator Chris Baker, who immigrated (legally) to this country 24 years ago and is grateful to today call himself a citizen of the U.S.A.

One funny moment at the rally involved musical artist Kevin Black. Twice while playing his first song, the speaker system went out, just as he was hitting the song’s highest note. System went out at the exact same moment both times.

The Houston Police Department estimated that about 10,000 people attended the rally in support for America. However, the anti-American crowd tried to make their presence felt; a grand total of 6 (five on one hand plus one on the other for the liberals reading this) arrived to counter the rally. One Freeper (Ron H.) confronted them and essentially told them to “stick it”.

After the two-hour rally, local radio talk show host Pat Gray posed for a picture with our banner. Several Freepers, including Humblegunner, Flyer, Eaker, and RetiredAFWarrior had cameras and took some excellent pictures. Afterwards, most of the Freepers stopped by Griff’s for some post-rally celebration.

List of Freepers Attending Rally
Action-America
Allegra
Anymouse
Bobbyd
BuffyT
Carlo3b
Dix
Eaker
Flyer
Houmatt
Humblegunner
Humidston
IamRight
Janette
OllieMB
PetroniDE
Rejoyce
RetiredAFWarrior
RikaStrom
Ron H.
TxLady
Xenalyte
Zboa

If any other Freepers attended the rally and are not mentioned above, please mention so on this thread; I apologize in advance for any omissions, and kudos to all whom attended.

[RikaStrom]

Hey there Meek. You should have been with us, we had a blast....discounting the shock of having Queen Sheila walk less than 4 feet behind you. LOL

[RikaStrom]

You got some wonderful pics. I was in awe of the creativity of the signs I saw. :-)

Glad to have you with us, and hope you come to play more often.

[olliemb]

Newsweek Cover: Bush & God
prnewswire ^ | 3/2/03


This was posted this morning by BRian Mosely at 9:58AM I don't know how to make a link. This is a Newsweek article about Bush and God and there is a poll that needs freeping by all HATTERS. Hope this info above is helpful for you to find. Great to see ya yesterday.

[Houmatt]

Welcome welcome WELCOME!!!!!

I salute you and your father!

[radu]

WOWWOWWOWWOWWOW!!! What an awesome turnout!! Way to go Houston!!

Great report on the rally and fantastic pics. I'm blown away and I'm sure my pen pals will be, too!

HOUSTON ROCKS!!

[proud2bfree]

Did you see the guy that got escourted off the stage? He was in the crowd a few minutes prior to that and walked right past us. He was carrying a briefcase and he held up a newspaper and seemed to be signaling somebody. Everyone he walked by looked at him and a few of us started talking about him. We were concerned. You know that feeling you get in the pit of your stomach that someone is up to no good? Before I could go alert the police, 2 HPD offiers went by me and I told them that he seemed to be signaling someone. They escorted him out of the crowd and then a few minutes later, they had to escort him off the stage. Really weird. Just wondered if anyone knew what that was all about.

[TexasRainmaker]

I was there! This is my very first post on FreeRepublic.

[iamright]

You are freeper # 'profile?u=100909'.
Welcome to FreeRepublic!
And thanks for being there!

[Eaker]

This was posted this morning by Brian Mosely at 9:58AM I don't know how to make a link. This is a Newsweek article about Bush and God and there is a poll that needs freeping by all HATTERS. Hope this info above is helpful for you to find. Great to see ya yesterday.

Here is the link that you requested.

It was great to see you too!

Stay safe; stay armed.
Eaker FReeper Status

[Xenalyte]

Quick note - I think it was Ron H who heard a lady call Queen Sheila a Commie. That was my mom's buddy Anita - a staunch conservative who hasn't quite found her way yet, but at least she found her way downtown - the first time she ever tried!
Way to go, Anita!

[Neets]

Lysol works wonders I hear!!!

Kudos to you girlfriend!!!!

[Humidston]

Welcome home TexasRainmaker! Relax, enjoy yourself because you are among FRiends!!!

Eaker, thanks for the link. Good article and I already FReeped the poll, lol!

[Humidston]

GROSS! And I missed it. DANG! The guy sounds like a real nut case - which doesn't suprise me much for downtown Houston. Thank goodness the police got him stopped.

[Humidston]

Neat link:

(Beetle Bailey) http://www.beetlebailey.com/images/flag.swf

[Humidston]

You have FReepmail.... ;-)

[dix]

Welcome to the fold. I, of course love all the Freeper names, but TexasRainmaker, now that’s interesting. We are endeavoring to expand our local chapter membership, and the connotation your name has is well, interesting. Freepmail me, or go to our local site HoustonLiberty.com. Flyer runs it, and he can fill you in on all the details.

[GailA]

You have to understand the LIBS mind set. you OVER report their rallies, and UNDER report Conservative rallies.

[Fledermaus]

I don't know about anyone else, but aren't you guys sick and tired of hearing the morons on the left call our rallies "PRO-WAR" rallies???

And Eric Alterman and the rest say there is "no left wing bias in the media"? Come on!

These same jerks get their panties in a bunch of we call their precious "peace" rallies "ANTI-AMERICAN" rallies.

Of course, these same idiots call us "anti-choice" instead of pro-life and get ticked off if we call them "pro-abortion".

But then again, they don't know what the meaning of the word "is" is!

[RikaStrom]

No, I missed that. From where I was standing I could see the podium, and I could see some of the backstage area (I was next the Statue of Liberty statue) so my field of vision was somewhat blocked.

I wonder what that was all about. Although after the HPD escorted Queen Shill to the stage one of the officers that was leaving wasn't sure how to get through the throng to the exit. Poor guy, being in her presence made him want to leave. LOL

[RikaStrom]

LOL. Sis, there wasn't enough lysol for that creature.... but the anethestic features of the beer afterwards did help. We're still shaking our collective heads about the Big BRASS Ones that female has. Good grief.