General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsJust back from counter-protesting "March4Trump" in Springfield, Illinois at capitol building.
My wife and I were the only counter-protestors, with signs reading IMPEACH TRUMP and LOCK HIM UP! Fortunately, the Trumpsters' turnout was pathetic. After a week or more of recruiting and advertising, they had MAYBE 120 people show up. We were escorted off the capitol grounds by security as we did not have a permit like they did. So we went directly across the street and displayed signs (plus 2 "Not MY President T-shirts" to them and the traffic flow.
As a note of interest, we did have to call 911 as one of the intellectual giants who had stopped his pickup in front of us, blocking traffic, to just go absolutely berserk ("ALL YOU LIBTARD MOTHER FUCKERS SHOULD JUST GO TO FUCKIN' CANADA!!!!" was as civil as he got during his 30 second rant) apparently parked and walked back to come thru the crowd and quickly up to us across the busy street. He began with "You motherfuckers are going to take those motherfucking signs off the sidewalk NOW!" My wife laughed at him while I said "Nope---that ain't happening!" This really torqued him and he started to come closer until I stepped toward him. He stopped and then screamed that he would "cut the soul out of me!" if we didn't leave. My wife had her cell out by then and I told her to call 911 for police. The Nutso retreated across the street, stopping every 10 feet or so to scream some new obscenity and was last seen jogging away around the capitol building. Of course, he was cheered by the pathetic specimens at the rally,
Cop came in about 15-20 minutes and we filed report. Gave description of the guy and officer said he'd write it up as a Disorderly conduct. I thought that was a little "light" since the guy was an arm's length away and threatened to "cut" me, but it was all this cop was gonna do. He seemed "bothered" that we were wasting his time.
Despite this yahoo, a good 75% of the reactions from motorists was positive---thumbs up, thank you for being here, etc.
shenmue
(38,506 posts)oasis
(49,387 posts)littlemissmartypants
(22,656 posts)Thanks for sharing this, Atticus.
Kicking.
samnsara
(17,622 posts)leanforward
(1,076 posts)My hat is off to you and your wife. Confrontation is not easy. So he beat a hasty retreat.
You and your wife are all right?
I am a loyal citizen, in opposition to pRezident dRumpf and any GOP lemming. Likewise I'm in opposition to anyone who wants to diminish or threaten my freedom of speech.
StarryNite
(9,445 posts)Ilsa
(61,695 posts)iluvtennis
(19,858 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(49,002 posts)By the time an idjit sees the cam it's way too late for them.
Assault occurs when the victim fears for life or limb. Basically it is threats or threatening actions like overt violence / getting in your face.
lindysalsagal
(20,686 posts)Mc Mike
(9,114 posts)Good Americans like you and your spouse serve the country.
Initech
(100,076 posts)MarvinGardens
(779 posts)calimary
(81,267 posts)Did you record some of that threatening behavior? Would be good to post that on Facebook, and offer it to the police as part of your report. That's probably a sensible move for ANY of us, in negative encounters like this.
Glad you guys are okay.
Atticus
(15,124 posts)constituted assault. Cop said "Disorderly Conduct". Whatcha gonna do? I had one friendly witness. He likely had 100.
heaven05
(18,124 posts)courage in the face of hate and ignorance. Nothing happened here in the way of a protrump, bannon and miller march. I live in a pretty liberal bubble....20-30 miles from here trump signs everywhere and sadly, confederate flags. I drive for one of the ride share companies, NOT UBER, and I get to see the ignorance first hand. Really sad how a lot of ameriKKKans want to be totally conned actually want a nazi triumvirate to rule them. I knew a lot of americans were silly and spoiled, but this damn silly and spoiled...geez
NastyRiffraff
(12,448 posts)But please, you and your wife stay safe; we need you!