Thousands Turn Out To Show Support For War Effort, US Troops In Iraq

    April 11, 2003
    In a massive show of support for the brave men and women who are fighting the war in Iraq thousands gathered in lower Manhattan to rally in support of "Operation Iraqi Freedom." The huge crowd gathered near ground zero, a place that has symbolized much sadness. But Thursday the emotions were very different.View Photos from the Story See Video from the Story

    Source Courtesy of WABC News - New York

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    In a massive show of support for the brave men and women who are fighting the war in Iraq thousands gathered in lower Manhattan to rally in support of "Operation Iraqi Freedom." The huge crowd gathered near ground zero, a place that has symbolized much sadness. But Thursday the emotions were very different. Jeff Rossen reports.

    The rally took place between noon and 2:00pm Thursday, just outside of ground zero. The location of the rally is significant, with many in attendance having worked at the disaster site in the months after September 11th.

    West Street, in lower Manhattan, wasn't for driving Thursday. It was packed with more than 15,000 war supporters, some four blocks deep.

    As military Blackhawks flew overhead, the mother of a sailor serving in the Gulf region, proudly displayed his picture for all to see.

    Roseanne Campagno, Sailor's Mother: "I don't want to see any protesters against this war. I saw enough of that down here in 1969 and '70, and I don't want to see it, not while this war is on."

    Labor unions organized Thursday's event, saying they were sick of watching all the antiwar protestors out every day. They wanted to show that there were people who supported the war effort and the soldiers fighting for the US in the Gulf region.

    Ray Fiore, Demonstrator: "This is the electricians, line workers, carpenters, plumbers, you name it, dock workers... All the unions that built this city, that built New York City are here today... What you seen yesterday was the word freedom coming out of these poor Iraqi freedom, that want what my children have: The ability to go to school and play in the streets and have fun every day. That's what this was all about."

    Politicians addressed the demonstrators Thursday, including Governor George Pataki, who says he wants a piece of the Saddam statue that was torn down in Baghdad on Wednesday.

    Governor George Pataki, New York (R): "Let's melt it down, lets bring it to New York, and let's put it in one of the girders that's going to rise over here as a symbol of the rebuilding of New York and the rebuilding of America."

    With the crowd all fired up, former Senator Bob Dole stepped up the microphone - with a joke...

    Robert Dole, Former US Senator: "The good news is that there is an opening at the Iraqi Information Ministry. The bad news is it's already been promised to Michael Moore."

    Thursday's pro-war demonstration was peaceful. The NYPD said they made no arrests.

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