120 pledged to march to Harry Reid's office...
I'd never been to a rally before, though I've been paying close attention to the illegal immigration protests I witnessed on TV and online. I watched again and again, while shouting "That's right!. Thank God someone is saying the same things as we are!" I admired those making a stand. My anger with illegal immigration and our elected politicians who sold us out grew daily into rage I didn't know what to do with. I sat in front of the TV and computer, being an armchair political analyst. I kept complaining that the real problem is that Americans have allowed these abuses of power because they'd gotten lazy, self-centered, fat and complacent. One day, it hit me... I was one of them!
"...still fat and lazy and waiting for someone else
to do something... Why not me?"
I took notice of a young woman, at a March For America in Seattle on YouTube. Soon after that I noticed an announcement about an upcoming March For America in Atlanta. There it was... "To start a march in your city, email Jonnie Crivello at contact@mfawash.org". I contacted her, still fat and lazy and waiting for someone else to do something, I asked, "Is anyone organizing a march in Las Vegas?" I got a response I never anticipated, "No. But you can!" I thought for just a second, "eh, oh well", but her words haunted me. Why not me? Could I look at myself in the mirror with any self respect and still call myself a patriotic American after that? She had me!
As I started making contact with interested marchers, I had many hour long conversations. It became obvious that many more felt the way I did. They had something to say and wanted an outlet to have their voices heard.
A month and a half later, 120 marchers from Las Vegas, Pahrump, Reno, Southern Utah and Los Angeles dressed in red, white and blue carried American flags and protest signs as they gathered downtown at the Fremont Street Experience Bandstand. I nervously gave my speech, another first for me, while reading from my pda.
I announced our demand for Anti-Security and Prosperity Partnership legislation, the repeal of NAFTA and secure borders.
"Vietnam Veteran, George Hayes...led us in the Pledge of Allegiance."
I introduced our guest of honor - the memorial flag from my husband's Grandfather's coffin. I told how he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and many other conflicts to preserve our freedoms and our republic. Vietnam Veteran, George Hayes honored us by carrying this flag and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Then he asked for a moment of silence to show our respect for all soldiers, past and present, fallen and active; and for the falsely imprisoned border agents. The silence was broken with shouts of "Free Ramos and Compean!"
Two boy scouts from Southern Utah carried our No! NAU! banner, as we marched south on 3rd Street chanting "No North American Union! USA! USA! USA! Save our Constitution!" The Metro Police halted traffic so that we could march past casinos, the bus station, many city and federal buildings to reach Las Vegas Blvd. and the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse. Anti-NAU speeches took place on the grounds in front of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's office while drivers by honked their horns in approval. Several even stopped by to ask what was happening and stayed to listen and cheer us on.
Individual citizens and members of 10 groups
gathered outside the Federal Courthouse.
Robert Graham, another Vietnam Veteran, spoke about the changing country our soldiers will return home to. Rita Bonilla, from You Don't Speak For Me, gave an impassioned speech about the hispanic community's outlook on illegal immigration. Mike Vanozzi, a member of several pro-American organizations spoke about the dangers of the SPP. Kricket Telfer of Americans4America remarked on the days events and reflected on the sentiments of the day. Robert Ruppert gave an impromptu speech after showing up even though he had pneumonia!
"I'd found my voice. The people had given it to me -
the people who showed up to march with me - someone they'd never met."
And then I spoke again... I no longer needed notes. I'd found my voice. The people had given it to me - the people online and on TV that I'd watched standing up for what they believed; Jonnie Crivello and the other March For America Organizers; the people who showed up to march with me - someone they'd never met. We all came together, as if we'd known each other a lifetime, because we knew each other's hearts; because we all believe this country is worth fighting for. I told everyone how my motivation came from seeing others speak up and how I hoped that seeing us make a stand would affect more Americans. As I thanked everyone for coming and announced our Post-March Virtual Rally, I felt empowered. I suddenly knew what "We The People" felt like. I felt my voice mattered. I felt good.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Show America your Pledge In Action!
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