March 20 "Largest anti-war protest in Fayetteville since Vietnam"

[G_j]

http://www.bringthemhomenow.org/what/campaign_news.html#fayetteville040312

Fayetteville March 20—All Systems "Go!"

Preparations for the March 20 demonstration in Fayetteville, NC--the home of Fort Bragg--are nearly complete, local veteran and activist Lou Plummer reports. The permits for the march and rally are in hand, the sound system is rented and so are the porta-potties. A series of small vigils in Fayetteville and a large billboard announcing the demo right next to Frot Bragg itself have helped spread the word.

Buses are coming from all over North Carolina and elsewhere in the South. Organizers are expecting as many as 2000 demonstrators, which will make it the largest demonstration in Fayetteville since the Vietnam War. Rally planners have set up a program which will include strong voices from veterans and military families, as well as a range of NC musical talent.

Local organizers have been doing outreach in communities, schools union halls and churches (the North Carolina Council of Churches is an endorser). Media coveraqe has been extensive, with Plummer from Military Families Speak Out, Chuck Fager from Quaker House and other activists appearing on talk radio programs and in televised soundbites. A long article on the plans just appeared on the front page of the March 11 Fayetteville Observer. It is posted below.
----

Demonstrators mobilize for anti-war rally
By Greg Barnes
Fayetteville Observer Staff writer

Anti-war demonstrators from throughout the Southeast plan to hold a rally in Fayetteville on March 20, the first anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq. The rally — and a march beforehand — is being billed as the largest anti-war protest in Fayetteville since the Vietnam War.

Organizers include activist groups from across the state. They say they expect at least 2,000 people to attend the rally at Rowan Park, the site of a 1970 anti-war protest led by actress Jane Fonda.

Three days after that rally, someone set fire to Fayetteville's Quaker House, a resource center for soldiers looking for ways to get out of the military. The Quaker House helped sponsor that rally, as well as this one. Although the organization's director, Chuck Fager, expects a peaceful rally next week, he said he is concerned about the potential for violence.

A group called Free Republic may be planning a counter demonstration at the park on the same day. Free Republic has approached Fayetteville police for a permit, police Capt. Bill Simons said.

...more..
http://www.bringthemhomenow.org/what/campaign_news.html#fayetteville040312

[Bullshot]

1. It'll be interesting to see how much coverage the media give it.

If the demonstration does draw the number of participants anticipated, will the media acknowledge this? Will they make the counter-demonstration seem at least as boisterous, if not more?

[G_j]

3. I was suprised to see a good segment on MFSO's protest

at Dover last night on ABC news. They spoke to a woman who lost her son in Iraq, briefly showed a MFSO meeting, and then a bit of the march. I thought that was a very good sign.
I've got my fingers crossed that Fayetteville and the rest of the March 20 protests will get at least some coverage.

[Postman]

2. Scumbags at "free republic" can't get their own venue...

all 6 of them have to show up at OUR events.

Whatsamatta? Can't get Clear Channel to hold pro-war rallies for you?

f**kin' facsists

[BrotherBuzz]

11. Remember, this is the crowd that held a pro-war rally...

at the Los Angeles Marathon and claimed 50,000 people attended their rally! Morans!

[G_j]

4. kick

[burrowowl]

5. What is the population

of Fayetteville?

[G_j]

6. for the year 2000

(Fayetteville, NC) Population and Demographics Population: 121015, ...
www.fayettevillenc.areaconnect.com/statistics.htm -
city, 302,963
www.cityrating.com/ citystats.asp?city=Fayetteville&state=NC

[burrowowl]

7. 2000 out of

121,015 is not bad. I hope there are even more!
Good luck to you!

[G_j]

8. signifigant anti-war rallies in military towns

are pretty rare :-)

though SOA protests in Columbus GA, have been estimated at up to 10,000

www.soawatch.org

[G_j]

9. kick

:bounce:

[bushisanidiot]

10. Freepers Need a Permit for what? 12 people? BWAHAHAHAHA!!!

12 people, from all over the country will converge upon Fayetteville to "support" AWOL and his re-election war.

BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

[G_j]

12. kick

:bounce:

[G_j]

13. kick

[Desertrose]

14. Hi G_j....

was gonna kick this up for ya but you beat me to it...

:hi:
Sounds like a busy weekend for a lot of us...all on new moon & equinox...I feel the energy amping up already!!!!

Woohooo!!!!
:bounce:

:hug:
DR

some day I will make a post & have zero typos....most likely in another galaxy far far away....:evilgrin:

[G_j]

15. Hi DR!

:hi: yep, busy, busy!
It's going to ba an awesome weekend!

:hug:

[Kanary]

16. Peace to you, G_j!

I'll be thinking of you. So much to look forward to...... a big rally, then DK's visit. :)

:hi:

I even now have my choice of towns to march in. Such feasting. :)

It's so wonderful to be able to share this with so many....... it sometimes makes it hard to remember just how somber this really is.

Looking for your report from NC!

Kanary

Another Delusional Diehard for Dennis!!

Kucinich 2004!

[G_j]

17. we walk in the steps

of all the peacemakers who have gone before us, who never gave up. We are in good company!
:-)
peace to you and I am looking forward to share our experiences!

:hug:

[ncrainbowgrrl]

18. kick.

Who else is going to be in Fayetteville?

[Kanary]

31. Those are large shoes, indeed, aren't they?!

Great thought for the day.... some very inspiring role models.

I hope you have a wonderful day, G_j! My thoughts are with you!

Kanary

Another Delusional Diehard for Dennis!!

Kucinich 2004!

[G_j]

32. peace

have a great day Kanary! we are all part of one huge gathering of concerned and wonderful human beings all over the planet.


it will be interesting to see the news tonight

[SoCalDem]

19. Be on the lookout for the freeps.. They will be the ones guarding THEIR

toilets and folding chairs..


"A group called Free Republic may be planning a counter demonstration at the park on the same day. Free Republic has approached Fayetteville police for a permit, police Capt. Bill Simons said."

[proud patriot]

20. I'm so proud of all the people attending here

Scream truths loud ...

[leftchick]

21. I have changed from Charlotte to Fayettville...

on the eve of the protest with NO directions from Greensboro... Please help Gj! :)

peace,
leftchick

[leftchick]

22. help Gj!!

I need directions from Greensboro to Fayetteville?

[G_j]

23. I wish I could help

but I've never made that drive.
You could try yahoo maps, I'm not sure what it's called exactly but you can type in your departing place and destination and it will give you directions. There are a few sites that do this.

[leftchick]

26. I got the information after some digging!

Thanks ya'll!

[G_j]

27. have a great day!

can't wait to share stories. :-)

[Misinformed01]

24. Looks like you and I are the only two NCarolinians awake!

I wish you were going to Asheville...G_j is, and Michael and I have already PM'd him our cell number-

I also wish I knew how to get to Fayetteville!

Stephanie

[G_j]

25. good morning!

looks like it's going to be a beautiful day!

[Misinformed01]

28. Wow! I was wrong!

My husband (JanMichael) is still snoring! :)

Good morning to you! It is a gorgeous day!

[G_j]

29. are you in Asheville already? n/t

[Misinformed01]

30. nope

we are leaving about 10:00...we are going to meet a couple of family members up there, and spend the night!

btw; we are taking a huge lunch...if you are starving ring the cell :)