FREEPER REPORT APRIL 5, 2003: Pro-America Rally with Glenn Beck in Clearwater, Florida

April 5, 2003 | floriduh voter

[floriduh voter]

I'm probably the first person from Free Republic who attended the Coachman Park Flag Fest that's already home. I selected the front page for this report because those of us in attendance from Free Republic invited rally participants to visit us here. It will be much easier for them to be welcomed on the front page. Welcome.

I will have pictures from the rally and will be posting other links here. Flyers were flying in addition to all the American, British and military flags. There were some great signs too.

I was interviewed for local television but as time is always short, I'm not going to stay glued to the set for a glimpse of me. Let's just say that my sign may be on local Channel 13 (Fox) over the reporter's head at the anti-war moshpit, numbering a dozen or so. The short interview which is about that very sign is for local UPN Ch.4 or Ch. 9, I can't say for sure.

[sarasmom]

FOX13 and Channel eight both said more than 15,000 today.

[sarasmom]

ABC channel 28 says ten k.
You could tell it hurt them to report the rally.

[floriduh voter]

I have pictures too but not on cd yet. Oh, by the way, my right arm and sign was on Channel 13's 6:00 News. I videotaped Ch. 13 while I was out. It's in the middle of local Fox's story on the rally. It was so Today Show the way I put my sign behind the reporter's head. He was in the demonstrator compound and I was on the other side.

Anyway, it was real nice to meet local freepers.

[floriduh voter]

I spent about a half an hour roaming round the demonstration designated area. The girl who covered her face was afraid to reveal her identify. She must have thought she was in Iraq or somethin'. There was a brief time that the cops escorted the demonstrators out of the pit. Maybe they got bathroom breaks or something.

[floriduh voter]

Thanks for the tbo.com link. I'd say definitely "more" than 15K. I snuck out during Beck's speech so I could get this thread up. Hopefully, they will replay it next week.

[4integrity]

I, too, picked up an edge from the ABC reporter. Perhaps unconscious, but probably subconscious, she showed the Rally for America then some anti-war people. She then commented that the anti-war message was put on hold today, at least for a while. Why must these reporters editorialize?

[floriduh voter]

When I offered the FR url to people who seemed approachable, I simply stated they should drop by and that there were people like them at Free Republic.

Floridians that I talked to today are seeking the truth and want to be part of something bigger than themselves (like President Bush always says).

Go, Florida!

[floriduh voter]

The girl who covered her face except for her eyes was a tiny thing and a young kid spoke on her behalf. She did not even speak. The demonstrators were at best 15 people and dwindled down to five at one point. There are other states where they would be more appreciated for their anti-American cause and you can guess who they think is the real president.

[floriduh voter]

Are you holding down the fort at the Canteen? We had a great rally for the troops today in Clearwater, Florida. Tommy Franks' wife was one of the guest speakers.

Please link this thread with the canteen. I sat in a WW II Jeep by a soldier in a WW II uniform. It was easier getting in the jeep than getting out. FV

[floriduh voter]

You guys need to come back over here when we have some pictures up.

[ThreePuttinDude]

Floriduh....I have a load of pictures, how do I post them up????


I'm-just-a-rookie-on-the-job...8^)

[ThreePuttinDude]

Here's Glenn on stage.






You gotta love this guy, If he would only not cry so much

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[ovrtaxt]

Hey, I was there, but didn't meet anybody. I have a bunch of pics, but I can't post them because they aren't on the web. Help!

[ThreePuttinDude]

These are from Glenns Website

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[ovrtaxt]

When you find out, let me know too!

[tenthirteen]

There was a guy there who was sitting on a lawn chair and when JEB starting speaking, he got up and turned his back on him. I wanted to start with the guy, but then I figured that would give him what he wanted, so I scorned him with my eyes.

I really dislike assclowns like this.

[Tunehead54]

Allrighty now ... sorry for the delay ... caught up with the news, caught up with a nap, etc.

A good time was had by ALL!

First a crowd pic with a little Clearwater, FL postcard layout:

Now 3 of the best FReepers ever to post on FR - (L-R), Tunehead54 (the modest one), Floriduh Voter & 4integrity.

Caught by chance ... they had an FR sign: NRA1776 & his significant other - Thanks for coming!

Ok ... these guys had the whole family out there and held that sign up the whole time (blocking our view of the stage but who's fussing? ;) = Sorry the humidity seems to have screwed up several pics but these are potential FReepers - yes I got permission to post ...

And the only picture my daughter "bunny" would let me post:

More to come ... Thank you America!

[M Kehoe]

Thanks for starting the thread. T'was a glorious day. The First lady and I are somewhat sunburned.

The pro-American crowd upon the knoll, and in the parking garage were very vocal when some antis were causing a disturbance. The police came and took some of them away (in hand cuffs).

The chants of "USA, USA" were great, although sometimes in the middle of the singing or speaches. No matter, a great time had by all. (Although, Glenn Beck cried a lot). We didn't expect to see Mrs. Franks there, but security was pretty tight.

FReeRepublic was mentioned a couple of times (and so was Julie) Along with the Bayshore patriots and some others. The local nbc affiliate said there were 15 thousand plus. The 'plus' they didn't want to tell the public was more like 20K. Anyway, the city of Clearwater (Cleveland/Drew/Ft. Harrison) was shut down for a while. It did the heart good to see all of the red white and blue.

5.56mm

[M Kehoe]

Bahdah bing, bahdah bump.

5.56mm

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

FV gets on tv too.

FV, well done. There's a reason Glenn chose Sarasota, Sarasota Freepers are becoming legendary...Fresno, DC....Sarasota! America still exists under that left-wing cultural obfuscation and PC BS. (^;

Posting on the live war thread for lurking troops.

Thank you, all!