kheart is a DFA blogger
OK here goes. When I got wthin about six blocks of Pioneer Park on the South side the streets were all blocked off, so I drove up a side street and parked. What happened next is still freaking me out, on the corner of the street where I parked a van pulled up, a man got out who was wearing fatigues, he pointed a friggin rifle at me and asked me what I was doing. Well I was shaking pretty bad, I told him I was going to the Peace Rally in Pioneer Park, he asked me what I had in my pockets, I showed him my drivers license, keys, debit card and cell phone (I had left my purse at home). He also looked at my camera. He was very nice all the time, he told me he was sorry, they just had to check things out in that particular area.
At the rally there were people of all ages. Lots and lots of men and women wearing military uniforms. Lots of hand made signs with very good slogans. I took photos which I am going to send to jc, kindly she is going to put them on the blog. Next time I go to a rally I'm taking a notepad so I can write down all the slogans. There were musicians, all very good, all singing antiwar songs. There was a old man there who stood out from the rest, he had on a coat from an old uniform, he looked very frail, even before the program started he had a heart attack, at the program they mentioned his name, said he got up from his sick bed to come because he thought it was important to protest the war, they said he was either the last or one of the last remaining survivors of Hamburger Hill. A true patriot in my book. All kinds of speakers, one was from Hubert Humprey's campaign, one an advisor of the Dahli Lama. I got to tell you about this wonderful man, he is a Spanish leader here in Salt Lake, at the end of his speech he apologized, said he hoped no one would be offended but f--- you George Bush, bring our troops home now. The crowd of course roared. There were various religious leaders, one from India. And of course there was Mayor Andersen, a favorite of the crowd of course, everyone was chanting Rocky, Rocky, Rocky, some Rocky for President (not a bad idear). There was a Democrat official who had been at the GWB speech, said he had actually gotten sick and had to go throw up during the speech. I don't know his name but he was a very good speaker, I really need to take a notepad next time. Celeste Zappala who lost her son in Iraq while he was looking for WMD gave a marvelous speech, I wish everyone on the blog could have heard it, it was simply awe inspiring. Program ended with everyone singing Give Peace A Chance, everyone was hugging everyone. Wow what a wonderful feeling. Then some, not all, marched to the City and County Building.
Lots of honking from cars and trucks passing by. Kind of on a cute note a Budweiser truck honked, and of course everyone cheered loudly. What I really liked best was all the young people and little kids holding peace signs, singing Give Peace A Chance, and then hugging old and young alike. I haven't had a day like this, well, come to think of it I've never had a day like this. I feel energized, I feel hope. My husband saids I am shining.
On the 24th of Sep, there is going to be another peace rally at Pioneer Park to coincide with all the others on that day. I'll be there.
The guy with the rifle, nor the military copters flying over our heads don't matter. There is a new movement, you can feel it. Don't believe the news - there were 4,000 people who attended a peace rally today in Salt Lake City, the heart of neoconsevatives. It can only get better and bigger. As one of the little kids signs read Power to the Peaceful.