RALLY AGAINST THE GROUND ZERO MOSQUE --> A Success With 40K In Attendance!

Pamela Geller of Atlas Shrugs

The crowd at the Rally Against The Ground Zero Mosque was estimated to be around 40,000, and it was, by my own account, a very lively 40,000.  It was not an angry, restless crowd like the one a few blocks to the East, which spewed lies and hatred, but a very focused and determined group of people with full knowledge of why the Ground Zero Mosque should not stand.  I am proud to say I was part of this group of 40K, and that I raised my flags high and cheered on an excellent group of speakers.

There were people I never heard of who gave enthusiastic, empassioned speeches intermingled with great speeches from familiar faces in person and on screen.  Mike Gallagher (in person) held little back and said it wonderfully straight, which is what the crowd wanted to hear.  John Bolton was also very effective on screen.

As I stated, there were some surprises.  Rosa Leonetti was a family member of one killed in the attack on 9-11.

Another standout was Congressional candidate, Ilario Pantano of Wilmington, NC, who had everyone's attention with a speaking style that cannot miss.  I've heard few politicians speak with such conviction.  The media will hate him, of course, for his military career and conservatism.  But we will see more of this man, especially after he is elected, I have no doubt.  And after that, I see him going places.

Geert Wilders, the Dutch MP, gave an excellent speech that brought us all back to that terrible day and put it all into perspective.  My favorite part is this:

"Among those lost were people from 55 nations, people of every religion and every persuasion. No place on earth had a more multi-ethnic, multi-racial, and multi-lingual workforce than New York’s proud towers.

That is exactly why they were targeted. They constituted an insult to those who hold that there can be no peaceful cooperation among people and nations without submission to Sharia; to those who wish to impose the legal system of Islam on the rest of us.

But New York and Sharia are incompatible. New York stands for freedom, openness and tolerance.

New York’s Mayor recently said that New York is “rooted in Dutch tolerance.” Those are true words. New York is not intolerant. How can it be? New York is open to the world.

Suppose New York were intolerant. Suppose it only allowed people of one persuasion within its walls.

Then it would be like Mecca, a city without freedom.

Whatever your religion, persuasion or gender is, in New York you will find a home. In Mecca, if your religion isn’t Islam, you are not welcome."

Urban Infidel was there...somewhere near the stage, and has a full report.  Donald Douglas of American Power flew in from California to be there as well, and gave a very complete photo essay worth checking out.  Pam was there, too, on stage along with Robert Spencer.  Just heard from El Marco who has a wonderful collection of pics.  For my trip to Ground Zero (more pictures), click HERE.

Some more photos from the day....  As before, click on them if you want to see them LARGER.

Nations united

40,000 stretched back a few blocks

Dutch MP, Geert Wilders

Congressional candidate, Ilario Pantano

More of the 40K

Radio talk show host, Michael Gallagher

A very brave lady displaying her sign to those wacko's a few blocks down...