Security Update #4
March 10, 2007
Those groups who are planning operations at the Memorials independent of the Gathering of Eagles security teams, please check in with us before deploying your forces. There is an overall security plan which your group will need to fit into. No reason not to keep your folks together, but your activities need to be coordinated with those of other groups and individuals. Also, we will need to pass along to you the expectations and requirements of the National Park Service. Please send contact information for your group leader to OWB at gatheringofeagles dot org for coordination.
Unit and American flags and their poles, may be displayed anywhere but the immediate areas of the Memorials. It is not possible for us to tell you in this medium exactly what that is, but you will probably know it when you see it, and our marshals will instruct you the limits beyond which none of us will be carrying packs, flags, and other items which could obstruct the view of NPS personnel.
The easiest way for most groups to secure their items may be to split into a couple of groups. One group would find an area to keep the packs and flags while the rest of the unit visits the Memorials. Then, the two (or more) groups could swap out guard duty of the personal gear and flags with those who are within the Memorials.
We must keep the mission in mind at all times and be sensitive to the simple fact that the Park Service may change the rules as it sees fit to protect life and property.
Security Update #3
March 10, 2007
As the numbers of those promising to participate in this “Gathering of Eagles” multiplies, activities and expectations must also change. It should be obvious to all that everyone who has declared an intention of being there is not going to be in any one spot at the same time. We will all be moving around the vicinity of various memorials.
Each of us who is attending this important event is there to accomplish our mission. To do that, and allow each of us to leave knowing that we have been an important part of it, we will all need to be flexible and ready to change as the circumstances warrant.
First, for all who are unfamiliar with the area, you are aiming generally for the Lincoln Memorial. There will be Gathering of Eagles volunteers to assist and direct you when you get in the area of it. The Viet Nam Veterans Memorial is not visible from the street so do not look for it from street level. It is a little northeast of the Lincoln Memorial. The Korean War Veterans Memorial is a little southeast of the Lincoln Memorial. The World War II Veterans Memorial is directly east of the Lincoln Memorial.
Second, the opposition has announced that it is forming up between Henry Bacon Drive and 23rd Street, south of Constitution for it’s parade to the Pentagon as well as having small groups forming up in various other areas. There may well be some confusion about where our areas will be, but we will have volunteers around the Park to assist and direct you.
Third, weather and other factors will impact the exact spots that we will occupy once you arrive. We must all remain flexible about this. There will be plenty of space for us all as long as we do not demand that we must huddle up in the same space for the duration. There are trees and several areas where those who are bringing chairs may sit to relax. The mission is serious, but there should also be plenty of good company to enjoy.
Advice And Warning From A Seattle Police Officer
March 7, 2007
No one has the Constitutional right to desecrate a monument. (read below)
Black Bloc at April 12, 2003 anti-war demonstration in Washington DC
THEY COME PREPARED TO DO BATTLE and they are well-organized.Seriously, it’s not just bandanas over the faces, they have BMX or hockey pads and protection on under their clothes, they bring improvised weapons like D-Cell batteries in socks, flammable liquids in unmarked water bottles, etc.; stuff that can be quickly assembled or disassembled into innocent components carried by multiple persons.
If their target is the Memorial, they will likely create a diversion to get the police away from the Memorial. If they want the Gathering of Eagles folks away, they will create a physical confrontation with them in one area, hoping to draw the rest over and then they’ll hit the unprotected area. If you’re protecting an area, stay at that area. When your adrenaline gets going, you’ll want to go help, DON’T DO IT. The Eagles need to have people free from protection assignments to respond to these diversions so the Memorial is not left unprotected.
They use cell phones, hand radios, police scanners to keep their people informed. They will have folks on bikes or skates so they can move quickly from one spot to another (unprotected) spot.
Oh and most important: As tempting as it will be, do not let the black block folks draw you into any violence. Philosophically, you don’t need to lower yourself to their level. Practically of course you can defend yourself, but be forewarned that the black blockers will turn that around on you too.
They will have people whose only job is to get photos and video. Any pics or videos of you defending yourself will never see the light of day. Any pic or video that can be construed as you initiating violence or “over” defending yourself will be on the media and attached to a criminal complaint, a lawsuit, etc.
Because of this it is important for the Eagles folks to have assigned pic and video people too. The black blockers will injure themselves and blame it on you. They will start s–t with you and only film you responding. They have lots of free time to edit their videos and pics, then distribute them to anyone who will look.
The DC cops, Capitol Police, and Parks Police already know all this from experience.
I’m on the other side of the country and can’t be there. Please pass this info on to the Gathering of Eagles folks. The more prepared they are, the less chance of success from anarchists. It’s important they don’t succeed because if they do it just emboldens them to stoop even lower for their next “action.”
Security Update #2 - Handicap Accessibility
March 1, 2007
The bad news is that there is no Handicap Parking proximate to the area we will occupy for GoE. There is none even close to the Memorials.
The good news is that we have a plan to overcome at least some of this problem. We suggest that all who arrive with wheelchairs and special needs drive up to the south end of the Lincoln Memorial to off-load. There is a very small parking area there (which is under construction/renovation) which we will either use for staging or stage very near it. Once we get you and your equipment unloaded, we will direct your driver where to park your vehicle based on the availability of parking at that moment.
For those who are driving themselves and will need special parking consideration for off-loading your mechanized equipment, we suggest driving up to this same area for the latest information about where to park.
We will have plenty of volunteers at the south end of the Lincoln Memorial to assist you the morning of March 17. We are not satisfied with these arrangements, but must deal with construction, street closures, and other factors over which we have no control.
Security Update #1
February 24, 2007
The National Park Service has advised us that no signs, banners, flags, and nothing which could remotely be construed as a weapon will be allowed at the Wall. We are just going to have to travel light when we approach the Wall.
We are negotiating the use of several areas which will be perfect locations for everyone who does wish to display signs, banners, and flags to assemble. Look for more on these specific locations in the future. There will be plenty of places to unfurl all those flags that we are bringing, just not at the Wall itself.
Some may be disappointed at not being able to take their flags to the Wall, but this ruling will make it much easier for everyone to see if someone approaches the Wall with anything which could mark or damage it. This should work to our advantage and be a great help in accomplishing our mission.
Please also understand that a certain amount of flexibility is necessary for all of us. We may need to keep some exact locations of events under wraps in order to keep the opposition from sabotaging our plans. We should have plenty of people on the ground to help direct you where the different activities are happening.
All appropriate permits have been applied for and are being processed. The NPS is very deliberately considering every detail of our (and their) requests and has the best interest of the Memorials at heart as it considers how to best proceed. We will have plenty of space to assemble and operate.
