"Anti-war" protesters vandalize 9/11 Memorial

[Geoff_M]

I think this speaks volumes...

Antiwar protesters trash 9/11 memorial
American flags burned and slashed
By Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell, Staff Writer

LA HABRA -- Antiwar protesters burned and ripped up flags, flowers and patriotic signs at a Sept. 11 memorial that residents erected on a fence along Whittier Boulevard days after the terrorist attacks in 2001 and have maintained ever since.

However, although officers witnessed the vandalism Saturday afternoon, police did not arrest three people seen damaging the display because they were "exercising the same freedom of speech that the people who put up the flags were,' La Habra Police Capt. John Rees said Monday.

"For this to be vandalism, there had to be an ill-will intent,' he said.

Rees said in order for police to take any action, the owner of the fence would have to file a complaint.

Jeff Collison, owner of The RV Center in La Habra, who has allowed residents to add patriotic symbols to the fence on his property, said he just might do that.

"Their free speech stops at destruction of private property. If they are allowed to come on my property and burn flags, does that mean I can go to City Hall or the police station and light their flags on fire because that is freedom of speech? To me, this is vandalism,' Collison said.

Some residents Monday hung signs criticizing those who destroyed the display.

Tracey Chandler, a Whittier mother of four who has maintained the spontaneous memorial since it was created by other area residents soon after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, said she was shocked by the destruction.

"They trashed 87 flags, ripped 11 memorial tiles made by myself and my children out of the ground and glued the Bob Dylan song to a sign that said, 'America, land of the brave, home of the free,' ' she said.

The Bob Dylan song she referred to is "With God on Our Side,' an antiwar anthem of the 1960s.

"It's unbelievable, because there were absolutely no political messages on this fence. It was all about supporting our troops, which could mean bringing them home, and about remembering 9-11.'

Les Howard, a sociology professor at Whittier College, said the incident might be an indication of some confusion among people trying to stop a possible war against Iraq but uncertain how to express their sentiments. However, he said he does not condone the destruction of symbols important to those who erect them.

"Some think (the best way to support the troops) is to not question their role. Some think the best way is to pursue all means possible to avoid putting them in danger,' he said. "That still does not excuse any desecration of people's symbolic participation.'

Chandler said she plans to rebuild the Sept. 11 memorial.

"We are going to rebuild this memorial, and it will be brighter, bigger and better than ever,' Chandler said.

http://www.whittierdailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,207~12026~1234836,00.html

 

[nkjzmom]

If people wanted to protest a VIOLENT war, you'd think they'd do it in a less VIOLENT way. This makes me so sad....this isn't about protesting.....it's just about being angry.

 

[Pam]

Hate to see what they would do if they weren't so "peaceful."

 

[pokiemomo181]

I think this is awful. I believe they have a right to protest, but this is not appropriate behavior for anyone. I hope this man does file charges!!!!!!!!!!


Pokie

 

[kdibattista]

I don't know whether to cry or throw up

 

[becka]

That is just sick!

 

[Rajah]

To me, that doesn't say "anit-war", that says "anti-America". You can protest the war in ways that doesn't involve flag destruction!

 

[tater bug]

To think these people hide behind the very flag they destroyed...

Okay - I can't just sit quiet on this one...The very freedoms these "people" are using as an excuse to desecrate our flag and the American way of life are the very freedoms men and women have fought and died for for centuries. They can try to cheapen the supreme sacrifice made in the name of democracy but that sacrifice will burn bright despite (and to spite) them. How dare they go to sleep in their comfortable warm beds at night, eat food without sand in it, see loved ones whenever they wish and enjoy the creature comforts that our troops are going without so they can pull stunts like this. They can go about their daily business without a care in the world because their protectors are 20 miles from an opposing army. I have to wonder if they are protesting because it's considered "fashionable" to protest. It doesn't matter what you are protesting as long as you are protesting something.

Do I want our troops in harm's way? NO! But do not think for one second that I am going to turn my back on them. Too many have died to give us the freedom we enjoy today.

As I sit here typing this I think about my own family members that have gone to war. Both Grandaddy's were in the Navy in WWII. One served in the Atlantic, one in the Pacific. My uncle served in Viet Nam and was a POW for a time. Daddy wanted to serve but for health reasons was not allowed to. My SO served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm. And right now my brother is steaming toward the Persian Gulf. How could I ever look them in the eye knowing I had burned the flag they served under? Every person that puts on a uniform representing the United States deserves respect, not derision. I find it difficult to respect people that so carelessly would throw away what so many people of other cultures would like to have and that we take for granted.

And while I'm at it - These same people would be the first to scream for the military to protect them if America was to ever be invaded. The military suddenly becomes the good guy? Fortunately for these people, the military protects ALL Americans, not just the ones that fit into a particular category. Too bad the military isn't afforded the same consideration.

Stepping off my soapbox now...

 

[BWVDenise]

Very disturbing, indeed.

 

[binny]

I don't know whether to cry or throw up

me too

 

[caitycaity]

i'm sorry, but i don't think you can paint all anti-war protestors with this brush.

 

[grinningghost]

Very sad.

 

[trayletha]

you said it kdibattista

I don't know whether to cry or throw up

 

[Saffron]

Unfortunately there are extremists on each side of the war issue that are given more publicity than the majority of the people who are protesting or championing the war efforts.

That's a shame that a group of people had to destroy something so meaningful to so many people just to draw attention to themselves. It gives antiwar protesters a bad name. Their stupid and demeaning actions will be remembered more than those with good intentions and peaceful means of voicing their opinions. That's very sad indeed.

I hate what they did. Their actions were horrible. It makes no sense.

 

[Grog]

I have to wonder if they are protesting because it's considered "fashionable" to protest. It doesn't matter what you are protesting as long as you are protesting something.

I thought I was the only one who thought that. Protesting seems to be the latest thing. I mean if it is endorsed by Hollywood and MTV, it must be cool...right?

I hope the fence owner does file charges. They will probably only get a slap on the wrist, but I think in this case community service would be good. Maybe working (closely supervised) in a VA hospital or Veterans cemetery, plus making restitution to the people who put up the flags in the first place.

 

[jamsmom]

I wish I knew how to reach the man. I sure hope he files charges!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I agree with everything you said donald's daisy! Well said! I would love to ship these protesters over to Iraq~~I'm sure Saddam would love to have these people on his side. As a matter of fact I'm sure he's just sitting back and loving every minute of America being divided like this. I'll get off the soapbox and allow someone else a turn.

 

[MosMom]

Originally posted by Saffron
Unfortunately there are extremists on each side of the war issue that are given more publicity than the majority of the people who are protesting or championing the war efforts.

That's a shame that a group of people had to destroy something so meaningful to so many people just to draw attention to themselves. It gives antiwar protesters a bad name. Their stupid and demeaning actions will be remembered more than those with good intentions and peaceful means of voicing their opinions. That's very sad indeed.

I hate what they did. Their actions were horrible. It makes no sense.

Well said Saffon! Not all anti-war protesters are "anti-american" or "awful". This was a case of extremism which every belief has, which is what Osama bin Laden himself is yet we're all reminded not to start hating all muslims. I would really hate to see "McCarthyism Round 2" begin in a different arena. Destroying something meant to be left in memory to so many lives lost is pathetic and proves no point. Just remember, there are bad apples in every bunch but the majority of people who feel there are other ways besides war would never even dream of doing something like this.

 

[gina2000]

I have no problem with burning flags as a form of protest. I do, however, have a big problem with someone desecrating a memorial to something so meaningful in our lives. It's disrespectful and says nothing positive about the people involved. The fact that it was on private property is also a problem for me. If we can't respect each other, each others' property and each others' memorials, then we have lost the meaning of humanity.

Opinions are one thing; actions are another. These actions were not something I would be proud of as an American, a protester or a patriot. It cheapens all of us.

 

[Bob O]

Just another example that most of these protesters arent anti-war but are really anti- captialism and pro-socialism!!! And when you see the front groups for these rallies and the signs they hold up it is evident where their loyaltly lies, and it isnt with the brave people wo serve this country!!!
And of course these people didnt protest our actions in Somalia/Kosovo our other actions against Iraq years ago because they had a fellow traveler in the White House!!!