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Confronting Evil Face to Face
By Matt Margolis | October 1, 2003
This past Sunday, I participated in a counter protest to a rally being held in Boston, which was run by International A.N.S.W.E.R. – an anti-war, pro-“Palestine” (pro-terrorism), anti-Bush, anti-American, anti-Israel, pro-Mumia, organization. The counter protest was partially organized through Free Republic.
Me and my fellow Patriots met on the front steps of the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, and looked on as we saw our opposition slowly grouping together forming a crowd of approximately 150 people.
A few from our counter-protest
Our side was a small group. We started off with about 10 or so, and actually recruited a couple people along the way.
Once they officially started, we moved in closer to their position, after conferring with the police on site, we kept a safe 150 feet away. As more of them walked by us to join A.N.S.W.E.R.’s rally, we got dirty looks, shaking heads, and expressions of utter bewilderment regarding our presence.
My brother and I had prepared a good assortment of signs to use for the rally, I toted a sign with the message “War Was The Answer To Defeating Nazism, Communism, Imperialism, & Fascism. Support The War On Terror.” This sign was aimed towards the “anti-war” position of International A.N.S.W.E.R. – who were actually rallying that day for a number of different causes.
We were often engaged by passersby. Some were rallying with A.N.S.W.E.R., others were just curious about what were doing. One man, who appeared to be in his late 50’s, and was holding a flag and a sign in support of one of ANSWERs flavor of the moment causes read my sign, shook his head and approached me.
He started rambling about how evil the United States is, and how war doesn’t solve anything and is an evil act of aggression. So I asked him “So are you saying we shouldn’t have gone to war to defeat Nazism?” He wouldn’t answer. He kept rambling anti-American rhetoric he must of read off of some left wing website. I interrupted him, “No! Answer my question; are you saying that we shouldn’t have gone to war to defeat Nazism? Are you saying we should have done nothing in that case?” He lifted up a finger and started saying “This is an illegal war by a President who-“ “No, that’s not what I asked you,” I interrupted again, “Are you saying that we shouldn’t have gone to war to defeat Nazism? Can’t you just answer that one question with a yes or a no?” Nowhere to run, he said, “War is never the answer.”
He couldn’t even say it.
Some of our crowd
Sometimes, there were signs of hope. Some people cheered my group’s opposition to the ANSWER rally. One man, walking towards Boylston Street was reading my sign from a distance, I held it up in clear view, and I saw how he focused his eyes on the words written on it. Then he looks directly at me, and says, “You’re right,” as he nodded and gave me a thumb up.
We were approached by some girls from Boston University who were interested in what we were doing in regards to the events taking forth in the square. One of my fellow patriots, Ron, offered to speak to them and be recorded for their effort.
Some time later, we met a person who left the A.N.S.W.E.R. rally after being completely disgusted by the reality of what they were supporting. He joined them because he was against the war in Iraq - but he left because their views were clearly in support of terrorists… he couldn’t stay there any longer.
And some more of us.
Through the next hour or so, things were rather tame. People driving by who saw our signs gave an occasional honk of their horns and waved. People riding on the Boston Duck Tours, who had a clear view of my group, often cheered at us. One time, the conductor of one Duck Tours, shouted his support through his microphone, and I responded with an exuberant “God Bless America!”
Some creative signs
Eventually, International A.N.S.W.E.R. began their march through Boston. We were given instructions by the Boston Police to stay behind them in the street with plenty of distance. So we followed the commies up towards the Common. The disgusting views of this group were coming out in full force. They were blasting Bush, his administration, the war in Afghanistan, and the war in Iraq… you really needed a pen and paper to keep track of everything they were rallying for – people in their crowd were probably confused too.
As we marched along, we saw lots of people on the sidewalks looking on. Some people shook their heads at us, while others cheered. I shouted out various things to energize those who showed their support “God Bless America! Support The President, Support The Troops! Am Yisrael Chai!” It was great.
Me marching down the street
As we passed the State House and turned around the Common, we saw lots of onlookers. Many showed support for our group; at this point we actually had someone join us. Marching down Boylston Street, we began having verbal confrontations with the ANSWER guys ahead of us carrying a huge banner. Their mouths moved faster than their brains, for they could barely come up with comments to say to us – certainly nothing that made sense.
The march ended at the Israeli Consulate. They got out their bullhorns and we kept a fair distance away and shouted the loudest we could to disrupt their hate speech against Bush, Jews, and Israelis, while they lauded Palestinians, terrorists, and a cop killer.
The whole thing ended without a serious clash. We had some shouting matches between our side and their side. It continued a while after their rally officially ended. Their numbers had dwindled significantly throughout the whole day.
The hatred and ignorance of those participating in International A.N.S.W.E.R. was unimaginable. With slogans like “Love live the intifadah.” and something that sounded like “Kill George Bush,” one can imagine just how intense things were. The sad thing was just how many different causes it took for International A.N.S.W.E.R. to amass such a modest group of people. Everything from “End Occupation of Iraq”, “No Blood for Oil”, “End the Patriot Act”, “Free Mumia”, they had covered the entire left end of the political spectrum of causes. This does not reflect an organization with focus, it reflects an organization of disarray and upheaval – as if they were just out to hate someone, something, and anything right wing, American, and democracy loving.
It was an overall good day. We showed Boston that there are people out there willing to stand up to groups like A.N.S.W.E.R.
For more information on the rally, please visit the following sites:
FreeRepublic.com’s post on the event.
My brother’s online photo album with pictures.
“Little Bill”’s Photos of the protest.
Topics: Activism |
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October 1st, 2003 at 10:30 pm
The anti-protest
Matt and some “fellow Patriots” organize a counter-protest to a Copley Square anti-American protest.
October 2nd, 2003 at 11:33 am
I think the shepherd should led all the little sheep off a cliff somewhere. He could have told them it was all for a good cause and they probably would’ve listened. “Will Kill for Oil.” Who comes up with that garbage?
October 2nd, 2003 at 12:54 pm
I’m sure most of the protesters really were just going with the flow of left wing activism, and really weren’t grasping exactly what International A.N.S.W.E.R. is really all about. Their numbers dropped continually throughout the day. If they started with 150 people (as they reported) then they ended with 50-75 people. My group encountered someone who left the rally out of disgust once he realized what the organization was supporting.
October 2nd, 2003 at 2:24 pm
Very well done!
Next time, if you want more people to honk, cheer for you, (and if you’re protesting/rallying in Boston), you should carry a “Yankees Suck” sign as well.
October 2nd, 2003 at 5:23 pm
Free Republic is a hate group.
October 2nd, 2003 at 5:30 pm
LOL… “Free Republic is a hate group”
HA!!!!
I laughed my ass off when i read that.
October 2nd, 2003 at 5:55 pm
Is that all you can say UY?
Why don’t you try and make a case for your accusation? You only make yourself look like a babbling fool by just saying “Free Republic is a hate group,” and nothing more.
I’m just dying to hear how you think Free Republic is a hate group.
October 2nd, 2003 at 5:58 pm
Brief Blogroll Stroll
FrankJ gives us his tips on protecting national secrets. Matt confronts evil… and wins. Serenity hates the smell of patchouli. Steve the Doggerelpundit, on Equal Opportunity bakesales. Steve H. is having problems with spam in his comments. He also ha…
October 2nd, 2003 at 7:18 pm
http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/7488477p-8404332c.html
Don’t forget the fact they hate gay people, and basically all Muslims.
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/1999/07/13/free/index.html
October 2nd, 2003 at 10:02 pm
I’m so glad that UY has the infinite knowledge to judge over 100,000 people as being all the same. I’ve never met anyone or encountered anyone as described by the links posted, or by the allegation made my UY himself.
It’s quite pathetic. I always thought liberals were the ones who were about equality and justice - yet they’re as evil as the next person who’s willing to stereotype a group of people.
October 3rd, 2003 at 8:37 am
Hey Um Yeah, how is it different to hate all Muslims versus hating all Republicans/Conservatives?
October 3rd, 2003 at 3:21 pm
I dont hate all, I dont even hate most but the Freepers are a bunch of whackjob loonies.
October 3rd, 2003 at 4:06 pm
How many have you met, UY? In person…
October 3rd, 2003 at 4:20 pm
Two, Ive also visited the website a few times. I love it how they think gay people are into some kind of worldwide conspiracy, like they intentionally perverted the word gay for their own use. They also seem to be enormous fans of Rush Limbaugh avowed racist and Drug Kingpin.
This coming from people who hold up signs saying end the Arab infestation of Israel.
October 3rd, 2003 at 4:31 pm
Okay, you’ve met two., and visited the website a few times… What an expert you must be.
If you really want to play this game, we’ll have to talk about the crowd of hatemongers at IndyMedia.org.
October 3rd, 2003 at 5:27 pm
I live in NY Matt. Finding Hard-Core Conservatives let alone Freeptards is not an easy task. Let me put it to you this way, in the past month or so everyone I have talked to wants Bush gone, the two exceptions were the man I work with who loves to tell me how much he hates “queers and niggers” and my estranged father whom will probably be to drunk to vote on election day anyway. You will also noticed I used harsher criteria to judge Freeperville a hate group then you used for ANSWER. Beyond that wtf do you want from me? IndyMedia is farther left than even DU, even then ill point you right back to Full-Auto and Conservative Underground.
Uh huh, let me guess are you Bostonian Rightist or perhaps Electric Strawberry.
October 3rd, 2003 at 10:49 pm
and my estranged father whom will probably be to drunk to vote on election day anyway.
I’m really sorry to hear that, UY. I was married to one (for only a year and a half) I can’t imagine having to grow up with a parent like that.
October 3rd, 2003 at 11:07 pm
He was gone by the time I was like 4 , I spent some time growing up with him and he is a slob. My Grandfather is the real father figure in my life, hes not really a liberal but is a solid Democrat.
October 4th, 2003 at 1:32 am
“everyone I have talked to wants Bush gone,”
LOL I have not found one person here in Southwest Ohio who will vote for any Democrat hell even KY is now at 65 % aprroval rating for Bush here in the Heartland we don’t give a flip about NY and their politcal wants - didn’t in 2000 will not in 2004 - live with it
October 4th, 2003 at 10:19 am
UY likes to assume that the people he associates with or talks to are an accurate depiction of America. Most of the people I work with are conservative - and I work in Massachusetts nonetheless! Does that mean anything? Not really. Just because majority of the people I work with (some not in my company but share office space with) doesn’t mean I consider them an accurate reflection of conservatives as a whole.
I also have to strongly agree with Vero in that the demographics of New York are hardly a reflection on the country as whole - they elected Hillary for crying out loud!
The criteria I used to judge International A.N.S.W.E.R. is based on the organizations agenda - which is clearly explained on their website - and based on that their agenda, and the fact that their rally still maintained a decent portion of their original number, suggests that the majority of the participants ascribe to that agenda. Their agenda is extremist, and the fact that their numbers did get smaller is a reflection of that.
And no, I’m not ElectricStrawberry, or BostonianRightist. They are fine people though, and I’ve always enjoyed a good protest with them.
October 4th, 2003 at 2:51 pm
Southwest Ohio, population…? what going on 500 now?
Freeperville is a hate group Matt sorry. I and I didnt say everyone I talked was a liberal a lot consider themselves Moderate or even a little Conservative. Bush is going to go down hard.
October 4th, 2003 at 2:58 pm
* Just in case you guys didnt know, I live and work on Long Island (Which is Conservative in quite a few places) and go to school in NYC, so yes I do come into contact with quite a large demographic and cross section of people. Also I go to a pretty non-political school (No rallies, and most the people wearing Che Guevara T-Shirts are Hispanic).
October 4th, 2003 at 2:59 pm
Dude, I know you want to believe that. Hey, that’s fine. It’s not my problem. I’ve met many FReepers, and they’re all good and decent people. Several of the ones I’ve met have defended this country. So take your stereotypes and bigotry somewhere else if you want to continue labeling Free Republic.
October 4th, 2003 at 5:26 pm
So matt your definition of good people are ones who refer to Gay people, and I assume the dumbass I quoted above meant Immigrants too, as trash?
The criteria I used to judge International F.R.E.E.P.R. is based on the organizations agenda - which is clearly explained on their website (Anti-Gay) - and based on that their agenda(Hate Gays, and Muslims) and the fact that their rally still maintained a decent portion of their original number, suggests that the majority of the participants ascribe to that agenda. Their agenda is extremist(And this is the real kicker, you dont think Free Republic counts as extermist?!!)
October 4th, 2003 at 6:09 pm
UY, because the majority of the people rallying with ANSWER were trash. Left wing groups such as ANSWER tend to attract the kinds of people mentioned in the quote you posted here.
As far as your ridiculous accusation that Free Republic is a hate group, let’s look at what the website says:
This is a hate group?
Extremist?
Is this anti-gay? Anti-Muslim?
So much for your generalizing.
Hmmm… this doesn’t sound like a hate group doesn’t it?
Okay then, now that we’ve established (again) that you are wrong (again), let’s move on and stop wasting our time on this particular issue.
October 4th, 2003 at 7:50 pm
“Southwest Ohio, population…? what going on 500 now?”
yes that would be just about the number of Leftist in this area Not sure of population on just Cincinnati alone but this part of the state is ultra conservative used to be 100% Democrat,just like me not to worry UY you too will grow up and see the light just like I did - I switched in 1980 from Democrat to GOP thank to Jimmy carter and his “leadership” - ever notice the folks that hammer leftist the hardest is us ex-democrats? wanna guess why?
October 4th, 2003 at 8:11 pm
Vero–
Obviously UY hasn’t been to SW Ohio, there are quite a few major cities there (Dayton, Cincy), and you’re right, it’s very conservative.
[I’m from the East side of Cleveland, and have been to SW Ohio a few times]
October 4th, 2003 at 10:48 pm
You mean gay people and again you refer to them as trash.
Who cares how Freeperville describes themselves? According to the KKK, Stormfront and other hate groups they are doing honorable things as well.
To prove my point just spend some time on Google.
ANSWER wants to end Racism and War, Hey sign me up!
StormFront, wants to preserve Western Culture (and dont forget to check out the Kids page). Groovy Western Culture Rocks, Sign me up. (Oddly enough they have a Spanish Language page).
October 4th, 2003 at 11:00 pm
I would pst all the stuff that might be considered Anti-Gay but you probably couldnt afford the Bandwith.
*BTW Matt you didnt answer if you feel FR is a fringe group or not.
October 6th, 2003 at 1:42 am
Vero-
True; I have also noted that the most avowed anti-communists are usually people that were in communist countries.
In fact, the only communist I have ever met who grew up under communism was a lazy slob masquerading as a failed painter.
October 7th, 2003 at 1:33 pm
Matt,
this is my first visit to this site and it’s great. The thing that I’d like to say is this; I’m 62 years of age and have watched and studied politics over the years. I am a former southern democrat. As our great president Reagan once said when asked why he left the democrats, “I didn’t leave them, they left me”. I would encourage anyone to go back into history and study Hitler, Stalin and these cretures of death and read their speaches. You will hear the modern democrats speaking through them, calling everyone evil and full of hate that didn’t listen to and obey them, but as it turns out, they were the ones that were evil and full of hate. Communist Psychologists had a favorite saying, “Repeat the same thing over enough times and many people will believe it”. Sound like the Daschells and Gepharts to me. (I Did I spell the names Correctly?)
October 7th, 2003 at 5:23 pm
Hmmm, so now Palestine is a “quote” country. And yep, they are “terrorists” while Israelis are “defenders.” No. Both are terrorists, or both are defenders. Can’t say the Israeli attacks on Palestinian children are defense, while bomb attacks on Israelis are terror. Matt, keep your thoughts fair and balanced. It is one-sided thinking on the issue that continues to keep the Middle East festering. Maybe read about how the suicide bomber had lost her family to Israeli attacks. Maybe you would understand better if your family were attacked. But nope, you dream in America, so you know why the Middle East acts the way it does. Advice, Matt - keep your mouth shut instead of posting wingnut screeds about the “left” and “Palestine.” You only expose your continuing ignorance.
October 7th, 2003 at 11:37 pm
Let me tell you something Limo. “Palestinians” are terrorists. They intentionally attack women and children. They are bigoted and ignorant fanatics who deserve only to be pushed into the sea. They kill with pleasure solely for killing Jews. That’s all there is to say about. They are evil.
The “Palestinians” can get the fuck off of the land they don’t deserve and are not worthy of.
October 8th, 2003 at 1:59 pm
I am liberal and oppose the Iraq war, but I never went to any of ANSWER’s protests, because I think they are way too extreme, I don’t like their anti-Israel stance, and some of the stuff said at those rallies is stuff I would not feel comfortable lending a body to. I really wish the far left did not have to hijack the anti-war movement and deprive it of a lot of its legitimacy.
October 8th, 2003 at 11:30 pm
Paul, thanks for your kind words on my blog. I hope you continue to visit and post comments. It’s great to know my efforta are appreciated and enjoyed!
Laura, I’m glad you posted, because I think many liberals don’t recognize the extremists on their side of the political spectrum. Actually, the biggest trap of liberals is believing they are actually in the center.
October 10th, 2003 at 10:18 am
I think both sides have their extremists, and both sides have to deal with them. Honestly, I resent the far left more than the far right, because the far left sometimes becomes the face of our party, even though most of them don’t even vote for Democrats. I know some Republicans who feel the same way about the Christian Far Right, people like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, because they don’t like the image they falsely give the GOP. Extremism is a bad thing, on the left and on the right.
October 10th, 2003 at 12:20 pm
Both sides have their extremes. That’s just how things work. That ultimate creates a political atmosphere where candidates for public office can liken their opponent to the extremism.
It’s like with Bush’s judicial nominees. The Senate Democrats, who can’t stand the idea of anything conservative in the judiciary, attack Bush’s nominees and label them extremists without any basis.
Similarly, those in the extreme like to paint themselves as centrists in order to win an election, like Howard Dean.
October 10th, 2003 at 4:35 pm
Howard Dean is not at all extreme. Far from it - the liberals in Vermont, some of whom border on extreme, could not stand him when he was governor. If anything, he has been accused of being a moderate running as a liberal, not the other way around.
October 10th, 2003 at 4:45 pm
Abortions on demand for 12 year olds is extreme. Taxing Vermonters back to the stone age is extreme. Wanting Budget-busting nationalized health care is extreme.
Howard Dean is very far to the left. Dangerously so.
October 22nd, 2003 at 3:01 pm
Bush and Rumsfeld Treat Returning Soldiers ‘Like Dogs’, Breaking Laws Left and Right
“‘They’re being treated like dogs,’ said one officer… Two separate congressional investigations by the GAO concluded the Army and Air Force largely ignored a 1997 law requiring all soldiers sent to war zones be given extensive pre- and post-deployment medical exams-to avoid the unexplained medical problems that arose after the 1991 Persian Gulf War that became known as ‘Gulf War Syndrome.’ The months-long delays in getting medical care faced by the soldiers at Ft. Stewart are nearly identical to the delays faced by veterans of other wars as they seek care in the VA health system. Fully funding the VA is a top priority of veterans’ groups, who say the 2004 VA budget before Congress is under-funded by $1.8 billion… Sgt. Willie Buckles has a good idea why he hasn’t gotten the care he needs. ‘I don’t believe they planned for it,’ he said. ‘They don’t have enough doctors and facilities to take care of them.’ Buckles believes the Pentagon didn’t plan for extensive casualties in Iraq. “
http://www.tompaine.com/feature2.cfm/ID/9194
Fort Stewart is ‘Overflowing’ With Wounded and Sick Soldiers
Following complaints of “squalor” at Fort Stewart (GA), Garrison Commander “Col. John Kidd said the reservists’ and guard members’ complaints that they play second fiddle to full-time soldiers are caused not by a double standard, but by a severe shortage of physicians and other medical personnel… ‘We are saturated,’ Kidd said. ‘We are overflowing, in hospitals and billets. And this is understandable because we are in a war.’… Kidd said 740 reservists and guard members are in a virtual state of limbo… Reservists and guard personnel were so upset at what they described as second-class treatment that they risked disciplinary measures for criticizing their commanders. When 400 or so of the men and women stood in formation Tuesday morning, they were harshly criticized by their commanders, said several, including Sgt. Dennis Stewart, 41, a firefighter from Terre Haute, Ind. ‘They said we’d be doing more cleaning up, more work, and to keep our mouths shut,’ he said.”
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/1003/22fortstewart.html
October 22nd, 2003 at 4:50 pm
But can you come up with an original thought?
October 28th, 2003 at 2:43 am
“Southwest Ohio, population…? what going on 500 now?”
Um Yeah continues to show how truly stupid he is when it comes to politics. The previous poster made the very astute comment that it’s the loss of the small rural states that is killing the Democrats. Al Gore didn’t lose because of Florida. Gore lost because he couldn’t carry states like Kentucky and West Virginia…states which almost always goes Democratic (92 and 96 both for Clinton) and states which Gore should have been able to carry with half his brain tied behind his back. Either state alone would have given Gore the presidency.
October 28th, 2003 at 2:49 am
“Bush is going to go down hard.”
Uh…no…Um Yeah…not unless you can figure out a way to win back those people like Vero in that part of the country that you’ve pretty much indicated you don’t give a s**t about.
October 28th, 2003 at 1:05 pm
Robert,
As his posts clearly have shown, Um Yeah is not one for intelligent debate. When he is clearly losing an argument, he resorts to personal attacks against other commenters here, and myself - hence why he’s been banned from this site for a couple weeks now.