"Trust The People/CounterCoup" Election Protest (Seattle)

Saturday's counter protest in Seattle was an unqualified success! Many thanks to everyone who turned out for this ACTION. A special thanks to long time pro-rights activist Joe Waldron for forwarding the ACTION ALERT to the Gun Owners Action League. Though this ACTION didn't directly relate to the 2nd Amendment, we all know how Al Gore would "reinvent" 2A should he succeed in pilfering the Presidency. G.O.A.L.'s participation and it's impact on Saturday's event is a clear indication of the benefits of UNITY IN ACTION. Thank you Joe, and G.O.A.L.!

At the Nov. 11th protest we took the decision, based on rumors of intended violence by a "Counter Coup" splinter group, not to take part in the march from SCCC to Westlake Park. As it turned out the protest was entirely peaceful. Unfortunately, when coverage of the protest was aired on local television, it was of the march itself and contained very little of the rally we had attended. Having been all but ignored by the media on the 11th, and since the rumors of mayhem were unfounded, we decided to mix our message with that of the "Counter Coup" demonstrators by marching with them and peppering their ranks with TRT members so that it was all but impossible for the media to show footage of the march without showing our signs. It worked!

On the evening news they showed the march approaching the camera. The "Counter Coup" banner lead the way - flanked by two TRT members carrying signs (which showed up very well on camera) which read "NOBODY LIKES A SORE LOSER" and "WE THE PEOPLE ARE THE CONTROLLING LEGAL AUTHORITY" and a Bush supporter carried a massive "Bush-Cheney" sign above the "Counter Coup" banner. The TRTers wielded their signs to great effect and though we were outnumbered 7 or 8 to 1, it didn't look like it on TV. "Counter Coup" had no more than a third of the number of protesters they had last week and our numbers more than doubled.

Before the rally began, KIRO TV interviewed me and a "Counter Coup" organizer, but chose not to air either interview. It's too bad, but so it goes. I hadn't prepared any remarks, but I think I hit most of the high points. I indicated that WSTRT is not a partisan organization, that our allegiance is to the Constitution, that our interest is in seeing this election resolved by the rule of law, under the Constitution. I'm not sure he believed me. He winced when I said, "What is occurring in Florida is an attempted coup, perpetrated by the Vice President of the United States of America." Oh well, I meant it as a nonpartisan observation.

About 5 minutes into the interview an altercation broke out behind me. I don't think it was caught on camera or it would likely have made the evening broadcast. The interview ended as I rushed to break up the fracas and the cameraman/reporter hurried to get it on film. It turned out that some harsh words had turned into a minor shoving match between a couple of elder participants from opposite sides of the political debate. Cooler heads had prevailed by the time I got there. I then sought out the "Counter Coup" organizers and we had a brief discussion, agreeing to talk with our respective groups about keeping the event peaceful. The rest of the way things stayed under control.

The rally began with brief speeches by representatives of various groups in attendance. One of our members came over to me and asked who our speaker was, ushering me to the front. Surprisingly, they let me speak! For 2 whole minutes! My message to the rally was basically that this was not the first close election in American history and wouldn't be the last, that the votes had been counted and recounted and that Bush had won. I told them that we're all disappointed when our guy loses, but that the law, under the Constitution, is what is important. I asked that they calm their passions and accept the results of the election. They were not particularly receptive, but they did seem to be calming down a bit after the rousing speeches given by the pro-Gore folks. I gathered the organizers didn't appreciate it as they took the stage, and the microphone, and announced that the march was to begin.

WSTRT co-founder Bob Anderson speaking to a less-than-friendly crowd at
the "Trust The People/CounterCoup" Election Protest outside Seattle Central Community College.

We headed down Pine Street toward downtown Seattle, our members spread throughout the small parade of protesters. Along the route I received many positive acknowledgments from spectators and several smiles and affirmative nods from some of our SPD escorts. Other TRT members reported similar responses. When we stopped at Westlake for a few brief speeches we were joined by a small number of Bush supporters who were pleased to see us taking part in the march. While there, I exchanged a few comments with some spectators who, though disappointed by Gore's loss, were in agreement that he should concede.

WSTRT members placed themselves at the head of the opposition marchers on
the way from SCCC to Westlake.

The march continued down through the Public Market and on to Victor Stienbrook Park where, after a couple more speeches, it was over. A half-dozen of us stayed behind for about 45 minutes discussing various issues with about the same number of the opposition. We discovered common ground on some issues, from the 2nd Amendment (surprise, surprise), to some of the causes of our societal woes, to the need for Electoral College reform. Unfortunately, many of their proposed solutions to society's problems involved the use of force by the federal government.

All told, it was a great day. It was a pleasure, as always, to meet some more of the Team. We'll be in touch soon on WSTRT meetings and will keep you informed of planned ACTIONS as they become necessary.

Yours For Liberty,
Bob Anderson