The protest came off last night and it was a great turnout for deep in the heart of Texas! The DMN covered it:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/washington/elections2004/stories/110204dnpolbushcro
wn.250b6.html. It's terrific to see so many Democrats showing up in Dallas, Texas for something like this and the Frost people weren't even there! More below the cut for the curious, but I'm off to work the polls!
A friend's description of the event:
you all should have been there. It was worth every minute we spent. Several cars went from flower mound / lewisville. We made our way to mockingbird station and there were already crowds of people lined at the MAJOR intersection of I 75 and Mockingbird. On the corners and at the median... It was a head turner to be sure. We joined the crowd, with our yard signs, handmade rally signs, and 2 giant signs. Chanting persisted "1 more day" coutnering "4 more years" "no more bush" "kerry, kerry, kerry..." "bush lied, people died" There were certainly 200 people rallying. Cars stopped at red lights were astounded. The honking was exhilerating. It was largely supportive. Isn't hard for many of us to imagine enthusiastic,
supportive honking?!
A few incredible drivers by literally threw trash out the window at us. As Jill mentioned, one lady was so moved that she stopped her car in the U-turn lane and popped through the sun roof to express her disdain for free speech by yelling how she would NEVER hire any of us... Her husband jumped out of the drivers seat to protect her from us... ??? what was that about???
Remarkably, we were able to march to the entrance of the Moody Auditorium. Hundreds of people were standing in line awaiting admission. What a perfect audience for our undying enthusiasm and energy!
"1234, we don't want your daddies war"
"George bush, CIA, how many kids will you kill today?"
"outsource Bush"
Notice the change of chanting phrases. Emotions were running high.
News media was present, but blatantly minimizing our presence. (liberal media, my a*s)
A handful of Bush supporters stayed vigilantly outside "counter-protesting" us. After 2 hours of this, the event was apparently over. Security
created a pathway for them to exit the buildign, but interestingly many of them were paraded among us. This was an interesting intensity.
"communists"
"John stole Teresa's money"
"W stands for winner"
Whatever...
As both protestors and attendees began exodus to the parkign lots several blocks away, it was comforting that civility ensued. With each step taking us further from the protest site, the bitterness and hostility lightened. Dozens of Bush supporters shared the same sidewalk with dozens of protestors in peace! An astounding use of good judgement.
Although there were still clusters of protestors chanting on corners etc. Several bottles of water and cups of coffee later, we beg sleep to
come, hoping to awaken Tuesday morning with voices returned to normal. Lots of important phone calls to make to those swing voters. Only to wear ourselves at yet again Tuesday night in the name of Democratic Victory.