Some thoughts on seeing the Nazis in Madison, WI today

[zulchzulu]

More photos from Bianca:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/99548648@N00/sets/72157594252688118/

I went to the Anti-Nazi protest today in Madison. Still editing some of the video I took, which will be online tomorrow.

There were a few very perplexing issues that have come up to wrack my brain hours later. It just doesn't get down to hateful ignorance represented by people who were fed the hatred from their parents. It gets down to how these Nazis needed to have the city spend time and resources at taxpayer expense to try to tell us that it's the government that they attack that is the problem.

By resources, there were 300 police with riot gear on that formed multiple rows to protect these vermin. There were gates and blockades built to protect these scum. There were weapons ready to attack those that protested them if we dared move iinto the perimeter.

These Nazis are cowards. Chickens. Yellow-bellied mama's boys. If they truly felt their message would be accepted, why did they demand to be protected by an armed militia with riot gear and protective gates that would have easily overwhelmed a weaponless crowd. I yelled at one point that we would have to kick their asses again, like we did in WWII.

I was proud of the protesting crowd with some signs, a couple bullhorns, a voice and the ability to be there were there in the rain; wheelchairs, crutches, seeing-eye dogs and such not stopping them. Families with kids, students, workers, farmers, hippies, people of all races and creeds and whoever felt it necessary to make their presence known stood up and shouted these sycophants down.

I'm not sure if there was sage burned after the hate-fest in the well-protected area where the 50 or so Nazis stood with their swastika signs and other embellishments.

What was shocking was the time before the group finally showed up, heavily escorted by the police, to their stage. People were chanting beforehand, but there was a noticeable shrill in some of the protestors when they showed their faces. Grasping the reality that these people actually exist is as bad as watching a car accident happen in slow motion.

As if timed by the gods, the rain began as soon as they began to speak.

It was generally "peaceful" throughout the event, but at what cost. Seeing a Nazi flag flying by the state capitol building was enough reason for someone like to ask people in the crowd if they wanted to find out where these bastards parked their cars. I didn't act on it.

Like the rain gods that knew when to help ruin an event, surely the road gods will swallow these evil clowns just when they least expect it on their way to try to pollute another town with their poison.

[Lithos]

1. I like the counter-demonstration

Glad to see people out there adding weight. But then again, I've always wondered what would happen if they (the Nazi's) gave a rally and no one showed up?

L-

[Jamastiene]

13. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center,

it would be a good thing. One idea is to sponsor or organize an alternative event for those who disagree. Apparently, if it is advertised enough and made entertaining, it takes power away from the hate groups. Less media will show up if no one shows up to those events. It gives the hate groups less media attention, which is what they desire more than anything.

It's just another idea and a different view. This is an interesting list of events that have successfully counteracted the hate groups.

http://www.tolerance.org/10_ways/create/index.html

[derby378]

2. Wisconsin Nazis. I hate Wisconsin Nazis...

:evilgrin:

[zulchzulu]

3. Actually, they came from Minnesota...

That was even worse...

[Lithos]

4. In what way?

?

[zulchzulu]

9. Here's the scoop in general terms

Some numbnut in Northwestern Wisconsin decided to tell everyone at his town meeting that he planned on making a Hitler shrine on his property that was visible on the street. The town protested his idea. The ACLU (correctly, imho) stood up for his case that it's his right to express himself, especially on his own property,

Well the Minneapolis, MN Nazis caught wind of the story and decided to take the city of Madison, WI on...yes, it's the "Berkeley of the Midwest"...so they thought the bleeding heart liberals would try to censor them... we didn't.

They could speak, but apparently they needed 300 police in riot regalia to help them express "their message". It will probably cost the city $100,000 or more for the event.

Guess who pays for it...

[Lithos]

10. Ah, okay

I understand now.

L-

[Sparkly]

12. Let me make sure I understand this....

Was this essentially an anti-ACLU protest?

People from MN trying to goad Madison into protesting/censoring a Nazi rally?

If so, I hope the "I dare you to censor me" asshats got their hats shoved up their ... well.

How's the local press/media reporting it?

[zulchzulu]

16. The local press....

Nazi rally
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/index.php?ntid=96468

Nazi rally with video
http://nbc15.madison.com/home/headlines/3744111.html

[derby378]

6. NOT Lake Wobegon Nazis!!!

"It's a quiet night here at racially pure Wobegonstadt..."

[dflprincess]

7. I hope they don't come back

n/t

[noahmijo]

5. Where Are the Blues Brothers when ya need em?

As the grandson of a Polish immigrant I'm still a little sore over that whole Blitzkreig thing

[derby378]

8. You know what the crowning insult is?

Now these neo-Nazis are making nice with neo-fascist groups in Poland, Latvia, and the Ukraine. That's right - they've decided that even the Ukranians are "Aryan enough" to be welcomed into the fold, just sign your name in blood on the dotted line...

[azurnoir]

11. The Original Nazi's

thought so too, at least they were allies. At least in Latvia and to a degree in Ukraine.

[madrchsod]

14. pretty pathetic rally ...

but i have to hand it to the nazi`s, they certainly can draw a crowd! i noticed the police were not enjoying standing around on a saturday afternoon and the sheriff's dept has a cool looking suv thingie...well at least they won`t be around next sunday..it`s christmas shopping on state

[Sinti]

15. Does anyone else find it odd that the Nazis are basically the only group

that gets the police to protect them? Usually the police are there to counter-balance against the people holding the rally, not to protect the individuals participating. Why should they get this special treatment?

[zulchzulu]

18. That is exactly what I'm trying to figure out...

I say that we offer them ZERO police protection, just have police on hand to arrest anyone who attacks. If they really are such a strong group, they can set up their podium with the unwashed masses and see what happens...

Special treatment for Nazis has to end! If they want to pay for the protection, then they can go for it. But if they want a rally AND police protection, then they should be denied it.

What are they so scared of anyway?

[Sinti]

19. They're afraid of us. They're a bunch of tiny little men who only feel

safe in large groups of people who look and think like them. I agree, they should not receive police protection on our dime. If they have the courage of their convictions they should be willing to die for it. How many good men died for civil rights? They certainly didn't get police "protection". This should be taken up with local legislators. Why do Nazis have "special rights?"

Funny thing I experienced recently. In the grocery store the other day, out here in Idaho, there was this idiot skinhead with WP (White Power) tattooed on the inside of his arms. His vehicle was also covered in Nazi decor. He stood out like a sore thumb, an obvious ignorant, scum of the Earth kind of guy all by himself. He got in line behind a young Hispanic dude. The WP guy was incredibly polite to him, just laughing and talking a bit - helped him with his groceries. It was really off the wall, IMO. Funny how these guys are only tough and mouthy when they're in large groups, huh. I have to admit he still gave me the creeping-willies though.

[zulchzulu]

17. VIDEO: Short segment of rally

Taken from a cell phone:
QuickTime (MP4)