July 4, 2006 Intimidation 101

July 4th. Independence Day across the United States.
July 4th is marked in many ways---parades, newspaper editorials, family gatherings, fireworks, political speeches on the Courthouse lawn.

Locally, there will be speeches at the Morristown City Center and the ringing of the replica of the Liberty Bell. There will be a day full of festivities at Cherokee Park.

Patriots in 1776 and down through the years have fought and died for the freedoms that we have today.

There is no way to put into words the debt we owe to those who have gone before, who have served this country in the armed forces, and who have paid the price---oftentimes the ultimate price---to preserve our rights and freedoms.

From what I hear, many veterans and others who saw what happened at a peaceful rally against illegal immigration at the Hamblen County Courthouse on Saturday, June 24, are shocked and outraged. (Scroll down to the previous July 4th post to see more pictures of what took place that day)

The speakers and their supporters were greeted by a temporary fence that ran all around the Courthouse lawn and back to 3rd N. Street.

A THP videographer and still photographer were on the 2nd floor Courthouse balcony. Others were on the 3rd floor balcony. (See the picture above)

The speakers were unable to address the crowd as their voices were drowned out by the THP helicopter circling overhead. (See the picture above)

The speakers and participants were surrounded by 100+ THP, local police, and local sheriff's deputies---many in riot gear and carrying automatic weapons.

The issue at the rally was to be the impact of illegal immigration. Some security was expected and was welcomed.

However, the level of "security" went far beyond that at any previous gathering by any group in Hamblen County.

Many who wanted to attend the rally (and many of those who did attend) felt intimidated by the sights and sounds of THP vehicles everywhere, SWAT-team officers, a half-track personnel vehicle, a huge self-contained mobile command unit with satellite communications dish, a helicopter circling overhead, automatic weapons at the ready.

One speaker, a veteran, began his remarks about illegal immigration with comments about "Intimidation 101."

Indeed, what can you say about a peaceful assembly on a Courthouse lawn where the organizers find themselves surrounded by a fence and 100+ officers and are told that they can't bring a cooler with soft drinks inside the fenced area to share with those who have come to listen and learn?

noe4accountability@yahoo.com