National Freedom Rally Report Thread

[Connie Fournier]

Well, I might as well start this off.

I was in Ottawa today and I think we had about 100 people at our rally. I have heard reports from some of the other rallies, but I'll leave the details to those organizers.

Our keynote speakers were Don Seder, radio host from Boston, MA; Tristan Emmanuel of Canadians for Bush; and we heard the taped speech that Major General Lewis Mackenzie recorded to be played at all the rallies.

Debbie Jodoin did an excellent job as emcee, and I did a short speech, too.

Here is a link to the <a href="http://www.freedominion.ca/lewmack.mp3">Mackenzie Speech</a>.

I'll post the text to my speech shortly, and see if I can transcribe some of the others from the (rather lousy) tape we made.

I suspect we will have some pics to post soon, too.

[Mark Fournier]

We had about 100 turn up in a cold biting wind in Edmonton. Members of Parliament Peter Goldring and Ken Epp were among our speakers today.

I heard Calgary had a blizzard.

[Connie Fournier]

My Speech...

Good afternoon Freedom Ralliers!

This rally is the kick-off of an unprecedented show of support for the coalition troops who fight for our freedom.

Within hours, Canadians will be gathering in Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and other cities across Canada to do the job these people [gesturing at Parliament Buildings] have failed to do!

Ordinary, decent Canadians are rising up as ambassadors to our neighbours and allies. Our actions today are showing the coalition that our proud Canadian spirit is still alive, and that, despite the remarks of these anti-American morons [gesturing at Parliament Buildings], Jean Chretien does not speak for us!

I have received dozens of emails from American citizens since our Freedom Rallies were announced. Without exception, they have expressed surprise and gratitude that Canadians do care.

We are not diplomats or professional politicians. But I can tell you with confidence that our actions today have done more to improve international relations than Chretien and his ilk could do with years of their waffling.

But we must not look at these rallies as an end in themselves. Our website, Free Dominion, has launched a campaign where businesses, corporations, and individuals like you and I can help our neighbours in a tangible way.

We are working with AT&T and the US Central Command to buy phone cards for coalition troops so that they can phone home.

When you go to freedominion.ca and click on the yellow ribbons to donate, you will be enabling us to send phone minutes to the troops. Centcom has told us that they will line up the soldiers and hand them the cards, which will say, "From Canada with Love".

The silent majority is silent no more. We are rallying, we are writing, and we are sending these [Liberals] stickers from one coast to the other. We are determined to spread the message that we are here, we are watching, and we are NOT pleased!

Let's keep the momentum going and hold some Liberal feet to the fire. They can ignore us for awhile, but soon our voice will be too loud!

Ordinary Canadians stand with the UK. We stand with Australia. And, yes, contrary to popular opinion, we stand with the USA!

God bless Canada. God bless America.

And Let's Roll!

[Connie Fournier]

Something very touching happened after our rally today.

A woman walked up to me with tears in her eyes and said, "I'd like to thank you for what you are doing with the phonecard program. My husband is over there, and maybe now he will be able to phone home."

We are truly rebuilding the bridges that the Liberals destroyed.

[Mark Fournier]

Edmonton CFRN News did a story on the Edmonton rally on their 6 o'clock news. They interviewed Peter Goldring and some families who had come out to show their support of America.

[Jessica]

Wow Connie, that is an excellent speech!! The people attending your rally must have been very motivated after hearing your words and I hope that energy carries all the way to Ottawa.

To confirm reports of Calgary's status.. yes we are in fact having the worst blizzard of the year I believe. In just a few hours we had drifting snow upto 2 feet high with more slush falling all day and a cold biting wind. That didn't stop our Gathering, it just made it a little smaller then we hoped lol. Our organizers will be able to give a full acount (numbers of people etc) once they plow their ways home. I'm glad to hear about the successes in other cities!!

Did anyone get any photos from their gatherings?

Jessica

[Mark Fournier]

Edmonton Global TV Channel 8 also ran a story and footage of the rally here. As cold as it was in Edmonton today, it looks like we had the best weather of all. At least we didn't get wet or snowed on.

[Mark Fournier]

<center>Edmonton Rally Pics
Professional Photos Courtesy of Mike Copeman

<img src="http://www.freedominion.ca/edrally/1.jpg">
<img src="http://www.freedominion.ca/edrally/2.jpg.jpg">
<img src="http://www.freedominion.ca/edrally/3.jpg.jpg">
<img src="http://www.freedominion.ca/edrally/4.jpg.jpg">
<img src="http://www.freedominion.ca/edrally/5.jpg.jpg">
<img src="http://www.freedominion.ca/edrally/6.jpg.jpg">
<img src="http://www.freedominion.ca/edrally/7.jpg.jpg">
<img src="http://www.freedominion.ca/edrally/8.jpg.jpg">
<img src="http://www.freedominion.ca/edrally/9.jpg.jpg">
<img src="http://www.freedominion.ca/edrally/10.jpg.jpg">
<img src="http://www.freedominion.ca/edrally/11.jpg.jpg">
<img src="http://www.freedominion.ca/edrally/12.jpg.jpg">
<img src="http://www.freedominion.ca/edrally/13.jpg.jpg">
<img src="http://www.freedominion.ca/edrally/14.jpg.jpg">
<img src="http://www.freedominion.ca/edrally/15.jpg.jpg"></center>

[dontvote4liberals]

Brrrrrrrrrrrr....

That was a cold wind on the hill today!

I brought my oldest son along and he loved it, but it will be another 5 years before he gets to vote.

[Andi]

To confirm reports of Calgary's status.. yes we are in fact having the worst blizzard of the year I believe.

Yes indeed. It was amazing we got anybody out at all. We had a huge blizzard. The roads were very hazardous. The snow was over a foot deep.

When I got to Olympic Plaza there were about 20 people there. Some of the ralliers made a large snowman who we got to hold signs, and took photos with...I'm sure you'll see them. The signs got wet and the ink got runny. The ralliers were soaked. But we had a good time.

Some of the signs at the rally: "Vive L'Irak Libre!" "I love America" "Regime change in Canada" (the guy holding this told me he wasn't a separatist) "Bush was right" "Name your kid George" "Canada MIA" "More $ for the Canadian unarmed forces"

Devin had the microphone... Not that he needs one...

"Honk if you love cookies! Honk honk.

Honk if you support the troops! Honk Honk honk.

Honk if you support the troops getting cookies! Honk Honk Honkity honk"

What a day. I am pooped from walking through all that snow.
Three cheers for everybody who organized the rallies, and three cheers for all those who came out to them! Hip hip...

[HolyHandGrenade]

...Hurray!

"Regime change in Canada" (the guy holding this told me he wasn't a separatist)

Indeed I am not a separatist, but I do advocate local governance and elevated provincial powers.

Actually, I'm working for a somewhat less radical regime change... say from a Liberal to a Canadian Alliance government. Now, should the Canadian electorate feel obliged to send the message to Chretien/Martin's gang that we sent to Mulroney's in 1993... bonus!

Devin had the microphone... Not that he needs one...

For the record, it was a MEGAphone. Pray my dear, have pity on the poor socialist hippies that crossed Megaphone Devin's path today. MD was unapologetic and merciless, and it was damn entertaining!

Wonderful rally, Andi, Janet and others. Will check regularly for updates on the next one.

GG

[Jessica]

When I got to Olympic Plaza there were about 20 people there. Some of the ralliers made a large snowman who we got to hold signs, and took photos with...I'm sure you'll see them. The signs got wet and the ink got runny. The ralliers were soaked. But we had a good time.

In keeping with the spirit of "make the best with the tools God gives you"... Snow kept supporters from getting to the Rally so we made supporters out of snow (once we finished our snowball fight anyways)

It was great to see how many people braved the roads and made it out! Troops overseas regularly face much harsher conditions then we did today and my gratitude for what they deal with grew as I rode home to my warm house and the luxuries that are so often taken for granted.

[Jason Kauppinen]

Ottawa Rally Pics



Tristan Emmanuel of Canadians for Bush


Radio host Don Seder


Selling Anti-Cretien Buttons!


Our flag.


Me, reflecting on a good day.

[J.B. Stone]

Nice Job, Guys & Gals!!!

I'm forwarding this about when there's a few more responses, hoping for a few more photos.

We're having a Support the Troops Rally, our third since the beginning of the War....at Depot Park in Kalispell tomorrow.... C'mon Down!

One of our Young Marines returned by private plane yesterday. Perhaps he will be there tomorrow as well.

I think a good time will be had by all.

I'm getting a few more of the large Poster Letters signed, etc.

It's a good feeling knowing that you know the people who count...ANYWHERE!!!

"The World is run by those who SHOW UP!" Bruce Vincent...."They're Taking Our Village Rally, Columbia Falls, MT, 1998

[EdS]

An excellent report, on an excellent effort! A beautiful display of good-will coming from <U>normal</u> Canadians.

Has this thread been re-posted to <B>Free Republic</b>? I think the Freepers there will appreciate seeing some <I>positive</i>, pro-American news coming from their neighbours.