***50,000 PRESENT AT LOS ANGELES "SUPPORT OUR TROOPS" RALLY***

LA CHAPTER | 3/2/03 | Diotima

[diotima]

The Free Republic Chapter of Los Angeles (also known as The Hollywood Resistance Force) along with a coalition of other conservative organizations held a "Support Our Troops" rally in Los Angeles this afternoon.

The LA Chapter of FR with the Liberty Belles, FitAimAct, College Republicans and BOND met early this morning downtown for our rally, listened to great speeches from the likes of Ted Hayes, of FITAIMACT and Dome Village, Jesse Lee Peterson of BOND, Joe Lauria of the Liberty Belles and FR's own RON DOG.

After the speeches were given we began our march around downtown. A large group of people carring giant American Flags, Bush/Cheney signs, Support Our Troops signs, and the compulsory "France Should Be Ashamed" signs, desended upon the LA MARATHON. As we marched we chanted "Liberate Iraq!" and other marching slogans.

****WE ACTUALLY MARCHED IN THE MARATHON ALMOST TO THE FINISH LINE**** We heard cries of support, thumbs up and many thanks from the LA Police force! (One of them leaned over and said to the person marching next to me 'I am so gald to see you guys here!') When we finished our march, we had interviews with KABC, channel 7 (we have already been on TV) and several other media outlets, I couldn't keep them all straight. If anyone else knows please post them.

When we were finished, marched back along the streets to horns honking and thumbs and returned to our original location.

I'll let eveyone else who was there come in and post their comments. Today's rally was a great success and ai think the key was joining up with other organizations in the area to combine forces and make an impact.

Thanks to the hard work by everyone involved!! Thanks Everyone!

[Darling Lili]

Pictures coming.....

I can't wait...

[apackof2]

Most excellent bump!

[diotima]

We are plannng exactly that right now. It looks like there will be rallys all over the USA. We are currently negotiating with some other large conservative organizations and getting ready to pull out all the stops. If you are interested in putting something together contact me. Almost every FR chapter will be participating in this large national effort.

[Bob J]

Please note that this was a MARCH, not a Rally! Organizers and marchers marched early in the morning to Ted Hayes "compound", Dome Village, where we had rousing speeches and pre March instructions! We then marched 4-5 blocks to downtown LA where we PROUDLY marched up the final leg of the LA Marathon IN THE STREET! Ted and I were blaring away on our bullhorns as we lead chants from our group!

The cops didn't ask us to move onto the sidewalk until we were at the very end! We got thousands of thumbs up, "YOU GO's", and horn beeps, and ONLY ONE NEGATIVE COMMENT (that I heard)! WOW! The crowd was very supportive and encouraging! Take the LIBS out of their carefully constructed dog and pony shows and they get very little support from Joe and Joan sixpack!

[Jim Robinson]

Great job, Bob! Outstanding!! Congratulations to all involved and thank you very much!!

[GOPJ]

Great job, and great comment:

...the key was joining up with other organizations in the area to combine forces and make an impact.

[Bob J]

2 pics that didn't trasnfer so well...

Ted Hayes Leads the Troops!

Ermias and Jesse from BOND (notice the hats!)

[First_Salute]

Thank you.

The story of Rick Rescorla, published in The New Yorker, Feb. 11, 2002.

Photo from the cover of We Were Soldiers Once ... and Young

[Taxman]

Bravo Zulu! Well done to all!

[meyer]

Great pictures, Bob J!

[Interesting Times]

Great work!

Any word yet on media coverage?

[Bob J]

Ooops! Almost forgot this one!

Newest FReepers!

[Bob J]

We're waiting until the 10-11pm news, but we know for sure that CBS Channel 7 got some close up footage and interviews! ALOHA RONNIE said he saw us on several stations before we got home. Fingers crossed!

[Bob J]

Thank you ALL for the thanks!

[Interesting Times]

This coalition-building stuff is starting to look pretty good, no?

[Happy2BMe]

50,000 FREEPERS in a march in downtown Los Angeles, California - what a miracle!

Thank you so very much.

[PlanoMike]

Kudos from Texas to all those who participated !!!

[Chi-townChief]

Chicago Bump!

[The Shrew]

Great Work Bob!

I guess Californians are a bit PO'd at Dark Out Davis! I wonder if anyone was there to solicit signatures on the recall petitions?

Regards,

TS

[AntiDemocrat]

Rocky Mountain SALUTE to you LA Freepers!