Looks like this was one of our most successful political actions to date.  I've never gotten so many responses before, most listed below. They are still coming in!!! Looks like the Eugene Weekly, the PeaceWorker, and the NewportNews will also carry our version of the story. Inquiries are also coming in from Japan and Germany. I'll post the links here as they are published.

Here are the comments so far for your enlightenment.
 
 

>>>>>>from a citizen in Oregon City:
Wow. Thank you for speaking out Ma'm. My respects to you and your family.
Daughters of Vietnam Veterans
www.dovv.net
Laura Hammons
 

>>>>>>from a citizen in Oregon City:
To Whom it May Concern:

I have read several reports about your recent "Loyalty Day" parade and the exclusion of the Veterans for Peace and other groups with messages calling for an end to war.  There is video tape of parade organizer, Patty Louisiana saying that the peace message, even from combat veterans, "doesn't support the spirit of our community".  Is this the true spirit of Newport?  For a community of people lucky enough to live on a section of Oregon Coast most of us can only afford to visit on vacation to have that stance toward the rest of the citizens of this state, country and world is beyond comprehension.  I am shocked and I will never, ever feel the same about enjoying Newport again.
On February 11, 2004 my beautiful 19 year old nephew was blown to pieces in his unarmored Humvee while patrolling the streets of Baghdad.  He will never again play in the Oregon sand or run in the surf and wait for a beautiful sunset that you can enjoy everyday.  If Newport believes that my family and other concerned citizens cannot call for an end to this senseless carnage, then I will not be bringing my family and my patronage to your town. Your treatment of these groups has circulated widely among the 69% of Americans who do not support this war and that is bound to have an impact on your tourist economy.
More than that, however, what was done to these people, denying their right to an opinion and participation in a public event, is against the very core of our existence as a nation and Newport should be ashamed to be a party to such action.  I will be awaiting your response.

Annette Pritchard
Oregon City, OR
Aunt of PFC William Ramirez
KIA 2/11/04
 

>>>>>>from a CODE PINK activist in Depoe Bay, Oregon:
Who is Disloyal?
Last year Ms. Louisiana told us in Code Pink we'd never be in her Loyalty Days Parade again. Since she refused to meet with us to discuss why, we decided not to deal with her this year but instead to help the citizens of Louisiana rebuild New Orleans. We were not around to  sneak  into her parade. Not finding us, we hear she rejected many patriotic Veterans, a local handicapped voter and a polar bear?
It's time for a respectable private nonprofit certified by the State of Oregon and sponsored by many reputable civic organizations to remove incompetence from a position of
arbitrary power over public events using public officials--such as a military parade closing a federal highway. Loyalty Days needs a public relations professional aware of civil
rights legislation.
I am a registered Democrat, Lincoln County Precinct Captain #17.
I am a former member of American Legion Post 269 Auxilary.
I am an Oberlin, Yale, and University of Michigan faculty alumnus.
I am a member of WOE, ACLU, AI, WW, OWC, FOR, AAUW, REI and Code Pink.
I wear hot pink. I wear Green. Sometimes I even wear a red hat. Or a yellow star.
Which one makes me disloyal?
Dorothy Mack
 
 

>>>>>>from a Veterans Adminstration Doctor in Eugene:
Greetings,
I'm a physician and psychiatrist.  I treat Vets with PTSD and other conditions; but I am representing myself alone, herein.
I am writing this to add my support to your worthy cause. If ANYONE has ever earned the right to carry a message while marching in a parade ANYWHERE in this country then surely it would be a veteran.
Apparently, once you've fought for this country your job is never done; there are those inside, as well as outside our boarders who would trample upon the liberties veterans have
sacrificed so much to preserve. You fight the good fight and my hat will be always off to you all.
My Humble and Earnest Appreciation
Dr. Les Garwood
 
 

>>>>>>from a VeteransForPeace member in Indiana:
Dear Citizens of Newport,
As a disabled Vietnam veteran and former Captain in the Army I am happy to hear of your “Loyalty Parade”  It is a fact that we need more community events that show what we are all about and draw people together in the support of our country. It is also a fact that we need to be more open and tolerant in listening to the diverse messages that people in this highly educated country of ours have to offer. In that light I was more than a little disappointed to hear that you turned Veterans for Peace members away and would not let them participate. I realize that messages of peace and conflict resolution may not be popular in some parts of this country right now but many of us risked our lives for causes that we thought would bring peace and our message cannot be discarded simply because you are afraid to listen to it, or afraid that some might be offended by it.  When the pursuit of peace becomes a process that offends the civil population then all the sacrifices made by veterans the world over becomes a waste of time and life. Our VFP Chapter in Indiana’s motto is “if you’re not a veteran for peace, what are you a veteran for?”  I understand that the folks who refused the veterans parade participation may not have understood that these veterans have paid a high price for their rights of free speech. In a larger sense when I write to you or talk to others about those same rights I am also exercising them for 58,000 of my brothers and sisters on a granite wall in Washington who cannot speak to you directly. I take my role of spokesman for them very seriously realizing that you had to “be there” to really understand. Not all my fallen comrades would feel the way I do about the war that killed them or the current war but they would each say that their sacrifice was made to allow those of us who remain to be heard and live in a country where people are not afraid to say what they feel or to listen. I consider it an affront to all veterans that you would refuse Veterans for Peace the right to bring their message to Newport. Most importantly though, I think it is an affront to all of those brave souls who have paid the supreme price for their ideal of freedom that you would deny their brothers the right to free speech in your community.

Sincerely
Gerald  Waite
Former Captain USAR
Vietnam 1970-71
 

>>>>>>from Peace activist in Eugene:
Hey Gordon,
I'm so sorry to hear about your struggle with parade authorities on Saturday. Sounds like y'all stood your ground, and did so with dignity, and non-violence.  Kudos for the good work.
Since "Loyalty Days" is sponsored by the City of Newport, seems like folks on this list should email the city at <Newport@thecityofnewport.net>, and let them know how they won't be bringing thier tourist dollars there any time soon.  There's more contact info for the city, if you want to make a phone call, write a letter, etc.  http://www.thecityofnewport.net/  And check out the city's press release for Loyalty Days, in which their PR flaks are quite proud to declare Newport as one of the last holdouts for this McCarthy-era celebration, originally timed to counter leftist, and presumably disloyal, May Day celebrations.
http://www.discovernewport.com/press/view-release.asp?rid=70780-347
What's next for Newport--"Hurray for HUAC" Week?  "Kill a Commie for Christ" Rememberance Day?  "Loyalty Days"--jeez louise.
 

>>>>>>from Peace activist in Newport:
Gordon,
Thank you for your kind words about our little group. I have felt for a long time that there is a real disconnect between grassroots Dems and the leadership. I am amazed at the depth of passion and intelligence in our little backwater county.
 

>>>>>>from Peace activist in Eugene:
Gordon- thank you for showing up.  This is just tragic.  Lemmings lead our young.
 

>>>>>>LiveLeak comment about the REJECTION video:
Seems like the whole purpose of this parade was just a nice recruiting stunt.
 

>>>>>>Guestbook entry from a Squadron13 websurfer in Newport, Oregon:
We are embarrassed by the treatment you received in Newport by the Loyalty Days parade committee, and hope you will not judge all Newportonians by the actions of those few.  It is unfortunate that some people consider peace to be anti-American.  And even in your guestbook, we can see there are misled individuals who have been brainwashed into thinking that the quest for peace is somehow cowardly support for the terrorists.  Our dream is that someday they will awaken and finally realize that THEY are the ones who create the terrorists in the first place.
 

>>>>>>from Peace activist and publisher in Portland:
Dear Gordon,
I have gotten wind of your VfP group getting shut out of the Lincoln County
Loyalty Days parade. Would you be able to send a short story (300-500 words)
to me in the next few days, by the 12th? I think this should be in the June
issue. Did anyone get any photos?
Many thanks for your good work. I lived for 25 years in the most redneck
northern Wisconsin woodland and I am keenly aware of the dynamics of peace
activism in that world.
Yours for a nonviolent future,
 

>>>>>>Squadron13 Guestbook entry from a citizen in Newport, Oregon:
Your comments are inflammatory, and hardly peaceful.  I'm not wild about VFP being kept out of the parade, but there's a few facts you need to know, in order for your comments to be accurate.

 1.  Patty Louisiana has two children serving in Afghanistan RIGHT NOW.  It is very hard for her. There is probably no one in this county who more fervently hopes for peace. Imagine what it would be like worrying every day that the military might arrive at your doorstep to tell you your child has been killed.  Try compassion, rather than judgement. Calling her a fascist hardly advances your cause.

 2.  Patty does not speak for this entire community.  She is one of some 9,500+ residents.

 3.  Keep in mind that the U.S. buys the bulk of its oil from Canada and Mexico and other countries, NOT the Persian Gulf--which accounts for about 15% of the total of what this country buys.  This is an observation only, NOT a political statement.   So, why are we in Iraq? Only GWB and Karl Rove know for sure.  Certainly, there is no true good reason.

 4.  The Loyalty Day event is sponsored by the Newport Loyalty Day and Seafood Festival Committee--NOT the city of Newport--check it out on the Oregon Secretary of State website. It's a registered nonprofit.

 5.  Kindly DO NOT characterize the U.S. Coast Guard as being part of the military machine!   The bulk of the USCG's activities on the Oregon Coast are devoted to search and rescue, including the gent who went fishing this past weekend in Newport, and drowned.    Not to mention interdiction of illegal drugs coming into the country.  While I'm certain we can agree that education is key to keeping young people off of drugs, interrupting the flow of illegal drugs into the country such as meth and heroin need to occur as well.  USCG men and women risk their lives trying to save others in very dangerous conditions on a frequent basis, and they don't specialize in killing.

I'm a passionate defender of the First Amendment, and I do think the VFP bus should have been allowed to be in the parade. Please keep in mind that inflammatory rhetoric, name-calling, and sweeping generalizations don't advance the cause of peace, and are not peaceful acts. Several of the comments you make on your website are hurtful.  The facts of what happened on Saturday were bad enough without the hyperbole et al.

Let's all give peace a chance, hmmm?
 

>>>>>>LiveLeak comment about Sheriff video:
He's standing in a public space, and he says that you cannot record without permission. Boy, I'll tell ya, if all of Oregon is as backwards as that, it might as well put a swastika on their flag and show the support of the administration in it's full light.
 

>>>>>>from Peace activist in Eugene:
Loyalty to the country, always.
Loyalty to the government, when it deserves it.
paraphrased and submitted on behalf of Mark Twain
 

>>>>>>from VeteransForPeace member in Nashville Tennessee:
"When the subject has refused allegiance, and the officer has resigned his office, then the revolution is accomplished." Henry David Thoreau, Civil Disobedience
 

>>>>>>LiveLeak comment about Sheriff video:
the officer must ne regul;arly desk jobbing or just decided to forget any idea of physical fitness...seems ludricous these officers are allowed to let their waist lines deteriorate in this way, they should be able to defend the public...what would happen if he had to run pellmell down a street in pursuit of a child molester? that said, as soon as he tells the cameramen their rights about not being able to record his conversation without permission (is this right?) the camera stops...beaurocracy gone made, but he bus gang sound a little tinsy winsy bit whiney...but i would do too...i hope they let em have the bus in the parade.
 

>>>>>>LiveLeak comment about Sheriff video:
Sorry to hear you guys weren't allowed to march in the Newport loyalty parade. If you had a prowar message to display, doubtlessly they would have welcomed you guys, regardless of the"paperwork issues". It would be interesting to see if any prowar "paperless" groups were permitted to attend. I plan on boycotting the upcoming Newport Seafood and Wine festival. It will be the first one I've missed in many years. You guys keep up the good work.
 

>>>>>>LiveLeak comment about the REJECTION video:
Wow, So the Newport Oregon City is one that believes ONLY IN WAR! That's just insane. Heaven forbid, considering that Oregon didn't vote for the Bush in the first place, I guess there are Inbreeding Republican Cult cities all over the place. Sad, very Sad, one reason I'm so glad I don't live in Oregon anymore.
 

>>>>>>from VeteransForPeace member in Portland:
I have a 16 foot tall fiberglas pole, telescopes down to 4 feet long. I have my US@Peace flag stuck on there and it waves very lively and very visibly.  It's become my new favorite prop, and I think Newport should see it.
Also- if there are enough folks interested we could have a public press conference and announce the application for a new chapter, issue press releases citing the welcome arms the city has always shown activists and the obvious need the city has for a body of Veterans to help educate the public on the rights of free assembly and speech and the importance of the dialogue on war and peace and sustainable society....  Arrgh!  I really get uppity over this kind of thing.  This was not just a parade, it was a propaganda event (Loyalty Day indeed!).  I bet that there would have been a tremendous response to the peace groups that the organizer would rather have had her eyes put out than look upon.  I think it is wonderrful that you tried to get the bus into the event, what a cheer would have gone up from the crowd when they saw that "Impeach!"....Loyalty to America is certainly first and foremost when a bad leader is decried by one and all Aberdeen was a small event that was overshadowed by way too many cops who, thankfully, did not arrest, harrass or otherwise discomfit any soul in my sight, and may have refrained from doing so entirely for all I know.  The State cops seem more into confrontation up there than
the locals although I did hear of local cops harassing some folks the day before.
 

>>>>>>LiveLeak comment about Sheriff video:
used to live in Lincoln County, In depoe bay, the tiny little tourist trap in between newport and lincoln city. That sheriffs pathetic display of pseudo bravado, while spouting ignorance just takes me back to my days on the coast... Shouldn't this 'top shit' cop be out busting some methheads, or thug wannabe skaters? The town is full of them... It is actually a really horrible place to grow up. I'm not surprised at how often I am seeing it on the national news lately, for such a tiny little area, it sure has spawned alot of shit.
 

>>>>>>from VeteransForPeace member in Portland:
I think it's a really good time to organize a trip to the coast-Newport, to be exact.  I don't think they'll be too upset to see the bus driving up and down, parking in the various visible lots along major streets while we shop and drink coffee in a cafe, eat lunch in a prominent seaside location, have a barbeque in the evening in the city park..... all on a saturday of course, busiest day of the week, most touristas to educate- and start an impromtu rally maybe or fly a big VFP kite over the main beach....big, loud, legal and fun :)  Or something.  I hate watching fascists get away with it.
 

>>>>>>from VeteransForPeace member in Corvallis:
This is absolutely outrageous, Gordon!  Did you get any press out of it?What would have happened if you just made yourselves the last entry in the parade and drove down the street?  I would have been very tempted to do that!  Would they let you walk in the parade with a VFP banner?  This is just amazing. What happened to the CodePink gals this year?  Did they walk with the Dems?  What in the hell are these people afraid of, anyway?
 

>>>>>>from Ultra Progressive VeteransForPeace member in Seattle:
Thanks for these reports of propaganda at gunpoint (police forcingthe VFP bus out of the parade, like it or not, cops fondling their handcuffs with one hand and pistol in the other)  This is a battle of ideology of course, not about policy itself.  It is a battle to shutus up, and force the flag-death-empire lies on the public instead.
 

>>>>>>LiveLeak comment about Sheriff video:
I'll be taking that from you! LOL If he had tried they could have arrested him. Why is the small town sheriff always 300 pounds over weight?
 

>>>>>>from former Intelligence officer and tank commander in Texas:
At the very least, Gauleiter Patty Katrina Louisiana should have greeted you with a hearty "Sieg Heil dem Fuehrer, Reichskanzler Bush", before giving you the bad news.  Please don't tell me she had a memory lapse! I shall have to report her to our party goons (Parteigenossen).
-----Original Message----- On camera she said our message of peace "doesn't support the spirit of our community"
 

>>>>>>from peace activist in Eugene:
Gordon,
This is amazing!  Hard to believe. Is there a way to mobilize a group - maybe more people from Eugene, Florence?  I don't know what would work, or who would be interested.  Are there some lawyers,maybe retired ones, clergy, who would like to know about what happened, and would like to make a statement?
Thanks for all you do.
Paz,
 

>>>>>>from peace activist in Eugene:
Gordon.
So appreciate this clear and timely recap.My impression was that VFP was responding to an invitation to participate.  Is this not accurate? If true, who invited you/us? forwarding widely.
 

>>>>>>from peace activist in Eugene:
Sounds like a good letter to the Newport newspaper, although I'd recommend dropping the "pro-military" label and mentioning Iraq Vets Against the War instead (or Pat Tillman or many other things).
 

>>>>>>from peace activist in Eugene:
Hey Gordon, contact ? what's the lawyers name again - anyway, see if you can file suit in some way against the local dems or against the organizers, ...it is a federal free speech crime?
 

>>>>>>from peace activist in Eugene:
Gordon. Thanks for sending the video link. You were calm and gentle with her. Sadly, she will probably get great support from that community for her decision to keep you out. This is probably what she was thinking.
I suspect this isn't the end of it--please keep us posted--and am curious to see what happens next year...Other peace groups should apply en masse
 

>>>>>>from peace activist in Eugene:
Hey Gordon~ Wonder what the ACLU might think about this incident???
 

>>>>>>from peace activist in Eugene:
Gordon, So very sorry you had such a discouraging experience. Yesterday XXXXX and I drove up to Salem for a Dept. of Peace conference. If ever there was a need to work to change the attitude of war and violence, it is now. That these people still support this immoral invasion is beyond belief.
Don't they ever watch the news or read anything? With Vietnam we didn't have the internet, so people could plead ignorance. But now there is no excuse. On a weekend when (I think) 12 0r 13 US were killed, they still believe everything is just fine........
 

>>>>>>from VeteransForPeace member in Eugene:
Gordon,
Should post this video if possible to youtube and publicize what happened (I can help with this).
Peace,
 

>>>>>>LiveLeak comment about the REJECTION video:
The community has the right to determine who they want in the parade. Characterizing the coummunity with hyperbole doesn't help your cause and makes you seem extremist.
 

>>>>>>from peace activist in Eugene:
I am disgusted.  It may be Patty Louisiana, the sheriff support the war.  How sad for Newport.
 

>>>>>>from peace activist in Eugene:
Hi Gordon ------
Good grief.
My favorite line from MLK Jr. is:  Silence is complicity.  Take care.