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Indybay Feature

Pics of Biggest Rally in AK history... anti-Palin

by unknown
[The] Alaska Women Reject Palin rally was to be held outside on the lawn in front of the Loussac Library in midtown Anchorage. Homemade signs were encouraged, and the idea was to make a statement that Sarah Palin does not speak for all Alaska women--or men. I had no idea what to expect.
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The rally was organized by a small group of women, talking over coffee. It made me wonder what other things have started with small groups of women talking over coffee. It's probably an impressive list. These women hatched the plan, printed up flyers, posted them around town, and sent notices to local media outlets. One of those media outlets was KBYR radio, home of Eddie Burke, a long-time uber-conservative Anchorage talk show host. Turns out that Eddie Burke not only announced the rally, but called the people who planned to attend the rally 'a bunch of socialist baby-killing maggots,' and read the home phone numbers of the organizers aloud over the air, urging listeners to call and tell them what they thought. The women, of course, received some nasty, harassing and threatening messages.

I felt a bit apprehensive. I'd been disappointed before by the turnout at other rallies. Basically, in Anchorage, if you can get 25 people to show up at an event, it's a success. So, I thought to myself, if we can actually get 100 people there that aren't sent by Eddie Burke, we'll be doing good. A real statement will have been made. I confess, I still had a mental image of 15 demonstrators surrounded by hundreds of menacing 'socialist baby-killing maggot' haters.

It's a good thing I wasn't tailgating when I saw the crowd in front of the library or I would have ended up in somebody's trunk. When I got there, about 20 minutes early, the line of sign wavers stretched the full length of the library grounds, along the edge of the road, 6 or 7 people deep! I could hardly find a place to park. I nabbed one of the last spots in the library lot, and as I got out of the car and started walking, people seemed to join in from every direction, carrying signs.

Never, have I seen anything like it in my 17 and a half years living in Anchorage. The organizers had someone walk the rally with a counter, and they clicked off well over 1400 people (not including the 90 counter-demonstrators). This was the biggest political rally ever, in the history of the state. I was absolutely stunned. The second most amazing thing is how many people honked and gave the thumbs up as they drove by. And even those that didn't honk looked wide-eyed and awe-struck at the huge crowd that was growing by the minute. This just doesn't happen here.

Then, the infamous Eddie Burke showed up. He tried to talk to the media, and was instantly surrounded by a group of 20 people who started shouting O-BA-MA so loud he couldn't be heard. Then passing cars started honking in a rhythmic pattern of 3, like the Obama chant, while the crowd cheered, hooted and waved their signs high.

So, if you've been doing the math… Yes. The Alaska Women Reject Palin rally was significantly bigger than Palin's rally that got all the national media coverage! So take heart, sit back, and enjoy the photo gallery. Feel free to spread the pictures around to anyone who needs to know that Sarah Palin most definitely does not speak for all Alaskans. The citizens of Alaska, who know her best, have things to say.
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Add Your Comments

Comments (Hide Comments)
by DLi
Q. What's the "Bush doctrine"?
A. Guns, Oil & STEAL, the Bushed Regime for REAL!

Q. What's the "Palin doctrine"?
A. Guns, Oil & 'Lipstick to NOWHERE,' U.S. Empire in DESPAIR!
by John Sweeney
Letter I am sending to WKBR radio - myopinion [at] kbyr.com
Sirs:
I have never heard of greater cowardice than that of Eddie Burke, YOUR employee. To be dressed in male attire, and to then deliberately expose females to danger is truly a Sheep in Wolves clothes. A junkie scum purse snatcher at least has to BRIEFLY face his female victim. YOUR employee hides in the safety of his cubicle and publicly TARGETS females so that they may be assaulted by his equally cowardly allies. Lurkers who fear the light as do cockroaches.This person Burke is what you put forth as a "conservative"!? MEN stand for ladies, offer them their seat, and even, as on the Titanic, die so the females may survive. NOT Burke, that rodent and his vermin ilk would be throwing ladies out of the life boat so he could have more room. Burke is no CONSERVATIVE and he is NOT a man.
John Sweeney
by Jack L
George Wallace said it best, "there's not a dime's worth of difference between" Republicans and Democrats. The Democrats willingly went along with the War in Iraq, suspension of Habeas Corpus, Patriot Act, banning books like "America Deceived' from Amazon, Wikipedia and Facebook, warrant-less wiretapping and opening private mail. They are both guilty of treason.
Clean them all out and save this great nation.
Last link (before Google Books bends to gov't Will and drops the title):
<a>America Deceived (book)
by John Sweeney
It occurs to me that the radio station KBYR is probably financially responsible for any emotional, physical trauma caused by the action of it's agent, Burke, when he instigated TERRORIST acts against persons engaging in the political process. I certainly beg the intended TARGETS to consult attorneys. Whipping up antagonism, inciting a mob, and then providing the location of the intended victims. I believe that falls under the definition of Terrorism. And the radio station providing the platform for these actions? Has the radio station done anything to rectify the situation, such as barring this ABJECT COWARD from the air?.
by Deanna Bell
From here in Florida, it is soothing and refreshing to see and read and view your comments and pictures. at first, we were puzzled, non-plussed as it were, as we learned that our president would lie to us. Then over the years, as more and more we felt the pain of living under the Bush-Cheney rule, we are now feeling a sense of fear. And, now comes Palin and McCain, (really as we would be governed -- Palin preaching and stridently pointing at all she needs done - and McCain in his porch rocker...)
Hey, maybe we could start a small viral firelog with that, put it out how it really, will be if those two are elected....!
by Dr. Thannisch (tthan43 [at] gmail.com)
I'd vote for Palin before I'd vote for Jesus Christ. The demonstrators only serve to verify that there idiots in every state I guess. I feel sorry for you. If there are so many against her in AK, how on earth did she get elected in the first place. Perhaps it is now simply a matter of blending into the masses and doing the now "politically correct" thing that is so typical of hypocrits everywhere.
by Diane T.
This is the email I have sent to WKBR in regards to this terrible story I have just been introduced to. Hopefully no damage was done to any of the participants due to this ignorant man.

To WKBR,
I am writing to give my opinion of this Burke jerk. Hopefully you have taken serious action against his very serious offense. For him to call the people planning on attending this rally " 'a bunch of socialist baby-killing maggots" then announcing their personal phone numbers on the air, and inciting and encouraging his followers to to call them and harrass them is so mind bogglingly horrifying.

If this is the kind of radio program you are proud of, you should be ashamed. This type of radical political terrorism is not what this country needs. If someone doesn't believe in one sides views, don't vote for them, but this hostility and antagonism is dangerous. In the world today, there maybe some really disturbed individuals listening - and from the sounds of this idiot you hired that is probably a good guess of his followers - who could do these people real harm. Yes, you need to do something. He should not be allowed to get away with this. This goes beyond free speech. Yes, he should lose his position. Yes, you should be held responsible. It is your obligation.
Sincerely, Diane
by Ellie
Well Done! As a young liberal woman living in Texas, (where we all know I am greatly outnumbered!) I am so proud to see what you have done. We can all make a difference, we can all be heard. You have inspired so many. So believe this comes from deep within my feminist heart...YOU GO GIRLS!!!
by tbond
Great coverage - loved those signs!!!
by Amber
It is about time America wakes up......
by heather t
My question is this how is it that this man Burke can smear peoples phone numbers all over the radio and then is allowed to dictate harm to human beings and is still allowed to be on the radio.....yet one radio host was fired for usuing racial slurs on a woman's basketball team, another was fired for cursing all of which never did any harm to anybody, maybe someones feelings got hurt.....but to tell people to go harass others? makes no since.....I dont know what this world is coming too but as long as the extremists and radicals are out there and in charge "we the people" are nothing but little ants marching to the beat of their drum.....
by Aaron
Despicable people like heather t are anti-Christ, toxic and un-American. The American way is that people have the constitutionally protected right to see things differently. Peaceful rallies and demonstrations are some of the things that make America great. To vilify and demonize people because they choose to see things differently is despicable. Thank God I don't know toxic people like heather t. Halleluiah, praise be to the Lord. God Bless America and the American Way.
Dr. Thannisch is the person my earlier comment is meant for, not heather t. Heather t respects the constitution and people’s right to speak their mind. It is despicable people like Dr. Thannisch that don’t understand or respect the constitution.

You are alright heather t, again sorry for typing the wrong name.
by kraziobamafan
It was truly great to see this article and pictures. I was wondering if me and my few good friends were the only ones in America that see through Palin's pitbull in lipstick bs. I was very curious on how the great people of Alaska feel about her, and I guess now I have my answer. I only wish I lived in Alaska just so I could be part of that event. GOOD STUFF! Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work!
by Deb in NYC (dlb2117 [at] caa.columbia.edu)
Dear Members of Alaska Women Reject Palin,

Your story has made it all over the country, and right here to New York City where EVERYBODY is talking about it. I've overheard people at bus stops and cafes discussing their excitement and support over the great success of your history-making rally. My associates and I are so proud of our Alaskan sisters and brothers, and have been thinking about how we can help you through what must be some serious backlash, instigated by Burke.

Some lawyer friends of mine have brought up that a group lawsuit against Burke is a completely appropriate course of action and that the Alaska Women Reject Palin organizers should consult an attorney right away. What Burke did was not merely rude and ungentlemanly, but it violated actual laws and put citizens in harm's way. That is a really, really big deal and practices like instigating terrorism must be nipped in the bud right away not only for your sake, but for the sake of other Alaskans who will be inspired by your history-making successes and try to organize rallies in the future. If no action is taken now to sanction Burke in some way, people will think that it is OK to step up the violence against the next group of organizers. History has shown us that silence breeds violence.

This will not be an easy course of action for you, but it seems to me that you are more than up for the challenge.

Best of luck. We here in NYC will continue to track your goings on.


Best wishes,

Deb
Child and Adolescent Social Worker
New York City
by pat atkins (turkgirl1 [at] comcast.net)
Thanks for the insight into the rest of Alaska. I am a native of the Great Lakes area, and wondered how the lower 48 pissed off the Alaskans, who I thought were an independent minded people, so much so that they embraced a politician like Palin.
I really wouldn't know nor would I voice an opinion on whether she is right for Alaskan leadership. I am appalled that she was chosen to represent the United States Republicans, and fervently hope that she does not get elected into the 2nd highest office in our country. I fear that she and McCain would lead us right into the maelstrom, riding on the bomb just like in the movie" Dr Strangelove." If that happens, there will be nowhere to move to, to escape the horror. Not even Alaska.
by Kathleen
We are not taking this sitting down.
by Erin in NC
Thank you for posting the pictures and spreading the true feelings of Alaskans concerning Palin. I was so proud to see women and men excersing their opinion in the heart of the state she represents. It is a wonderful feeling to know that all life, two-legged and four-legged is supported by so many Alaskans despite Mrs. Palin's attempt to end it in such horrific ways. I will pass this along and appreciate the efforts of Alaskans to reveal their true opinions despite the power and majority she has been able to uphold in that state. This will not go unoticed to those of us thousands of miles away and is a motivation to get involved in our own state.
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