REPORT OF WASHINGTON PROTEST

Joe Forgy


Joe, page 8, protesting in D.C. on May 19th

We just returned from Washington, where I was in the voter march on May 19. My wife and I drove to Rockville, MD, to visit my son and his family.

On the morning of May 19, I was excited and woke at 5:30. After a hasty breakfast, I walked to the Metro station for the ride to downtown Washington. As I walked to Lafayette park I met someone that worked in the Clinton transition office. We had a great chat and he directed me to the park.

At Lafayette park, I met several people from the Internet. One lady was the daughter of a WW2 veteran that I had written a letter to. Somehow the letter had cheered her and I was thrilled to meet her in person.

At Lafayette Park we mingled, talked and looked at the wonderful placards and banners people had made for this march. Many people recognized me because my placards were like the stickers on my web page. Several people told me they used my stickers on all their mail. A group from Tennessee told me they left those stickers in cafes and every where. They ask me to make one for Tennessee. I photographed their placard and will make one like it.

I carried a disposable camera and made some pictures. Just as soon as I use all the exposures and develop them, I'll scan and send them.

There were several speakers and some anti-bush music.

At 11:00 the parade started. The WW2 veterans lead the parade with other veterans of wars and conflicts of the last half of the 20th century. May 19 was Armed Forces Day. I'm a WW2 veteran and marched with the veterans.

All along the march, we continually chanted, such chants as "Selected, not elected", "We'll move on when bush is gone" and other chants. Many people gave us a thumbs up and cars would honk to show our support.

Some pedestrians would turn their back to us. With many of those, I left the parade and would get in front of them and exclaim loudly, "There's a thief in OUR White House!"

We marched to the West Steps of the Capitol, where we heard some very inspiring speeches and some great entertainment. At one point the veterans were honored. Some veterans were unable to be there and their pictures were enlarged and place on placards.

My rough guess was about 2,000 people in the parade. I was disappointed in the small number. Of course, the news media ignored us.

I wore pants with large pockets on the side with a bottle of water and some granola bars in my pockets. I also carried a placard the said, "Not elected, selected against the will of the voters" on one side and the other, "Toxic Texans are raising the price of YOUR gasoline as and excuse to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge."

At 6:00 PM I walked to a Metro station, caught the Metro to Rockville, walked to my son's house. They were all gone to my grandson's scout outing. I fell asleep and didn't know when they got home.

It was a wonderful experience. Let's do it often for the next four years.

Joe






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