UN FLAG FLYING - GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA
1st. Report - 26 October 2000

06:15hrs - The huddled masses began to traverse University Blvd. on the way to work and the UN flag protesters began to assemble at City Hall. It went down hill from there.

06:20hrs - Unloading 12 protest signs we proceeded to the flag pole near University Ave.. Having a hand full we stuck a few in the ground cover near a tree. Immediately we were confronted by two armed, uniformed Gainesville police officers, informing us that we could hold the signs but not stick them in the ground. We asked what statute or ordinance this was and were told it was a city park and we could not disturb the ground. Asking what the charges would be if we placed the signs in the ground, they said "criminal mischief". We were told First Amendment Rights did not protect us if we disturbed the ground. (Must be a Gaia thing) So ... we pulled the signs up and put them on the sidewalk. Again we were confronted and told that was littering and if we persisted the signs would be confiscated. It was clear they had been told to exercise authoritarian authority early because this was not the usual GPD attitude.

06:30hrs - More protesters arrive. FReepers, Tyranny Response Team, Military Veterans Motorcycle Club reps, out of town activists and local good guys. We decided to ask the dozen or so uniformed officers of the police department what flag they profess allegiance to. None would answer. The command officers in charge said they would not discuss the issue. A local Department of Transportation official that had joined us pointed the buffer between the sidewalk and University Ave. was county property. Police officials again said no signs in the ground because the city maintained that area. No county statute or ordinance could be cited to back this up and again we were warned of the criminal mischief charges.

06:40hrs - Arriving protesters pointed out that a seemingly large number of police were present and were positioned nearby on adjacent streets. Joining the "park police" was now a sheriff swat team corporal in full subdued green BDU's with his partner remaining in the car. Appearing on the roof of city hall, a lone police officer scans the area below. In years past the actual swat team was in place on city hall and on top of the court house across the street. Florida TRT activists said they had received email from the police earlier this week wanting to know the groups intentions. A plane clothes detective begins close up video taping of the protesters. His $199.00 video camera is no match for my $1000.00 NIKON full auto (as opposed to 10 round semi-auto) 35mm.

07:00hrs - FReeper extraordinaire XTIGERBILL arrives with his battle wagon trailer. He says it is the maiden voyage for this massive signage display. He traveled over 125 miles to join us. The trailer is a pickup truck bed with cover and axle now converted to a trailer. Dressed in white (for purity) the trailer is professionally lettered with FReeper and TRT info. The beauty of this battle wagon is the signs inside. XTIGER pulled out nearly a dozen signs, fully and professionally lettered that attach to the front and sides from the ground to nearly eight feet high. The messages cover most topics FReeper, TRT and Second Amendment Sister members are passionate about. XTIGER, you are an honor to your nation and Freepers everywhere. Your our hero this day !

07:15hrs - We are getting close. The United Nations Association members and City Officials are gathering behind a bush on the other side of the reflecting pond guarded by a contingent of police officers. We decided to push forward with our confrontation with the police and assert ourselves a little more. We notified a police lieutenant that we were committing a hate crime,
"We Hate The U.N.". Finally, we get a real answer. "Sir, it is not against the law to hate the U.N." YES ! We can hate .... legally !
Protesters are in full sign waving, U.S. flag waving and marching mode along University Ave. Some passersby think it is a political rally. Does that mean the signs that say "GET U.S. OUT of the U.N." and "GUT the U.N. - G.U.N." are mistaken for Gore signs ? Do people read this stuff ? Local media reporters arrive and begin the laborious process of asking why we oppose the U.N.. Where do you begin ?

07:30hrs - Here they come, the UNA and City Socialists under full police escort. As the parks department employees attach first the U.S. flag, then the Florida flag and now the U.N. flag, police form a line between the flag pole and the patriots. UNA and City officials join the parks guys as the flags are hoisted up. An African woman thanks us for coming and wishes us a world of peace. Shouts of "Take It Down" and "No Peace Here" and "Not On My Watch" flow from the protesters. Local activists, Ann, starts the pledge of allegiance to the U.S. flag. As we get louder and louder I note the UNA, City officials and police are not joining in.

07:40hrs - The U.N. supporters are gone, leaving their blue rag on our pole, guarded all day long by Gainesville's finest. They claim the first U.N. flag to fly was stolen. Someone points out that whoever took it was just picking up trash.

Please, GIVE US LIBERTY .... OR WE'LL TAKE IT ! Our resolve is to grow stronger in our opposition. Our goal is to GET U.S. OUT of the U.N.

The group leaders and observers present for OUR side have already committed to the next effort. Thanks guys and gals from near and far. You stand in the gap for liberty and freedom.

**

The LONG DISTANCE AWARD has to go to Ted from Lee County, Florida. 270 miles up and 250 miles back. He was in a hurry to get home. Now that's commitment ! Thanks Ted, your an example for all on how to be an activists.
 
 

Photos of the Protest! Many Thanks to the Freepers, the Tyranny Response Team, the Military Vets Motorcycle Club, and Patriots of all descriptions for making this a successful protest!

Visit these local tourist attractions near Gainesville
10 Miles South of Ocala - "The Land Bridge" over  I-75
1 Mile South of Gainesville - "The Frog Wall" on U.S. 441
 
 

    Blast the United Nations Is a Project of GUT the UNITED NATIONS G.U.N. 86 Million Members Nationwide "We are EVERYWHERE"