Reporting in from Palatka, Florida protest

[Jeanette in FL]

A little background. Palatka is a very "red" town, in a very poor county in Florida. Protesting, before the war started, there was only two of us. People would yell out their cars and give us the finger. When I wrote a letter to the editor protesting the upcoming war, I got many phone calls calling me a "commie bitch" or "why don't you just leave America".

Today, there was eight of us today to start with. Almost triple the original protests.

I made a great sign. I used two poster boards and made them like a sandwich board. One side said:

No More
MONEY
No More
TROOPS

The other side said:
3,000+ Dead
10,000+ Wounded
How Many More?

We positioned ourselves at the base of the bridge. The reception was wonderful. So many people supporting our cause by beeping their horns and giving the peace sign. In Palatka. I was so uplifted.

The local Newspaper showed up and interview me and a few others and took pictures. This has never happened before.

But the best was a lady who came up to us and started hugging each and everyone of us. She kept saying "Thank you, thank you, thank you, for being out here". She had driven over the bridge and decided that she had to come back. Her son was on his third tour of duty in Iraq, a career military man, who has served 20 years. He was supposed to retire 6 months ago, but they won't let him out. She said "She never in a million years thought that she would ever be against a president and would be supporting "peace protestors", but she continued, "This war is wrong" "This war is between George and his Daddy" She said "Thank you for supporting our troops and letting the people know". I had the chills. That was the best moment of our protest.

A few people parked their cars and joined us, without signs. One lady, was with her two young daughters, probably around 4 and 6 years old. She was explaining to them that this was important to support people who you agree with and make a stand. She was young herself. That was another goosebump moment for me.

It was great. And now it is off to Washington DC, January 27th. I can't wait to hear the other stories out there. I just wanted to share mine with you.

[DoYouEverWonder]

1. Palatka had 8 people!

That is huge (for Palatka).

Good for you guys.

Your neighbor in Gainesville :hi:

[Jeanette in FL]

7. You know it.

It was huge for Palatka. And to get the Palatka Daily News to cover the story. My oh My, is Bush in trouble.

[malaise]

2. Congrats

Great story. Bushco is history.

[Jeanette in FL]

8. Thanks Malaise, I appreciate it

Yes, when Palatka turns against Bush, stick a fork in him, he is done.

[Nimrod2005]

3. Beautiful, thank you!!! Well done.

[Jeanette in FL]

9. Thank you

I appreciate your acknowledgment.

[hippiechick]

4. Excellent, and thank you!!

For being one of the two - back in the beginning - and for still being out there today.


:grouphug:

[Jeanette in FL]

10. I have two Grandson, that I am fighting for.

The cause gets easier and easier now that they are here.

[YDogg]

5. the bridge with the WWI statues?

[Jeanette in FL]

11. Yep, that's it

Thank you for taking the time to post that. I appreciate it greatly.

[YDogg]

17. I've admired those statues as I've driven over the bridge ...

... on several occasions. I also walked over the bridge once (long story). :-)

I live in Lakeland, and drive through Palatka on the way back and forth from Jax. I have a few friends in Palatka, and I'm guessing they are rather on the conservative side. Nice folks, casual acquaintances, but we don't talk politics.

From a fellow Floridian, thank you. Thank you were much.

[Jeanette in FL]

18. They are awesome to see

Thank you for your story. I would love to hear your long story, someday.

Yes, Palatka, has very nice folks, but very conservative and they vote against their own interest. I have never seen the most poorest of the poor defending Bush as I have seen here.

Thank you for your input. I appreciate it.

[Lost-in-FL]

6. K & R... this is cause for rejoice!! Protest?? in FL??? Nah??

Last two protests I heard of in FL was the KKK marching in Orlando streets and the Terry Shiavo ordeal.

REJOICE!!!

:patriot: :patriot: :patriot: Thank you for your effort!!!

[Jeanette in FL]

12. Yeah, Imagine that.

I really couldn't believe the reception that we "Peace Protestors Got". Thank Goodness, the tide is turning.

[Beaverhausen]

13. Great story! Thanks for sharing

:hi:

[Jeanette in FL]

14. Thanks for reading

It was a great day.

[The Backlash Cometh]

15. I'll vouch for Jeannette.

Parts of Florida are very hostile to Democratic demonstrations. This IS a good turn of events.

Well done, Jeanette!

[Jeanette in FL]

16. It was Hugh!!!1111!!!! 1111!!!!, I'm series

When Palatka says "he's done, he is done".

[JCMach1]

19. There are some good Dems and Indys in Putnam!

Just not a huge amount. Maybe we can have our own Meetup when I am back this Summer.


Congrats on the activism!!!


Palatka is the place I was born. Putnam itself is not so red as you might think-- However, the local Dems are largely DINOs

[Jeanette in FL]

21. The protest made the front page,above the fold, The Palatka Daily News

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=3104360&mesg_id=3104360

A meetup will be great this summer. We are centrally located as we have members in Gainesville, St. Augustine and Jacksonville. Let's do it.

[JCMach1]

22. would love to talk to any group as well about life in the Middle East

formally, or informally...

This region of the world is different from anything anyone can understand through the media...

I saw the Palatka Daily News online today... It was a pretty good write-up...

I am with you guys in spirit if not the flesh!

[malaise]

23. Can't make summer but I will be

in Gainsville in May for one of the nephew's graduation.

[DoYouEverWonder]

25. Let me know if you do

I'd love to meet you folks.

:hi:

[annabanana]

20. Your story brings tears to my eyes...

I can really start to believe that the beginning of the end of our National nightmare is in sight when a little red town in Florida shows you that kind of support.

Thank you.

[clyrc]

24. Four years ago I was in the Putnam County Democratic Committee

and we couldn't even get the other Democrats to vote on protesting the war. The Chair at the time insisted that she didn't want the embarrassment of having it voted down, but I left the meeting so angry I could hardly drive.

Keep up the good work in Putnam!

[rman]

26. It's not every day that i come across a story that makes my day

But this is one.

[Alamom]

27. Inspiring story. Thank you for posting. n/t