Ugh, I am so ashamed.

[OtherHD]

http://www.whittierdailynews.com/Storie ... 36,00.html

Antiwar protesters trash 9/11 memorial
American flags burned and slashed
By Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell, Staff Writer


LA HABRA -- Antiwar protesters burned and ripped up flags, flowers and patriotic signs at a Sept. 11 memorial that residents erected on a fence along Whittier Boulevard days after the terrorist attacks in 2001 and have maintained ever since.

However, although officers witnessed the vandalism Saturday afternoon, police did not arrest three people seen damaging the display because they were "exercising the same freedom of speech that the people who put up the flags were,' La Habra Police Capt. John Rees said Monday.

"For this to be vandalism, there had to be an ill-will intent,' he said.

Rees said in order for police to take any action, the owner of the fence would have to file a complaint.

Jeff Collison, owner of The RV Center in La Habra, who has allowed residents to add patriotic symbols to the fence on his property, said he just might do that.

"Their free speech stops at destruction of private property. If they are allowed to come on my property and burn flags, does that mean I can go to City Hall or the police station and light their flags on fire because that is freedom of speech? To me, this is vandalism,' Collison said.

Some residents Monday hung signs criticizing those who destroyed the display.

Tracey Chandler, a Whittier mother of four who has maintained the spontaneous memorial since it was created by other area residents soon after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, said she was shocked by the destruction.

"They trashed 87 flags, ripped 11 memorial tiles made by myself and my children out of the ground and glued the Bob Dylan song to a sign that said, 'America, land of the brave, home of the free,' ' she said.

The Bob Dylan song she referred to is "With God on Our Side,' an antiwar anthem of the 1960s.

"It's unbelievable, because there were absolutely no political messages on this fence. It was all about supporting our troops, which could mean bringing them home, and about remembering 9-11.'

Les Howard, a sociology professor at Whittier College, said the incident might be an indication of some confusion among people trying to stop a possible war against Iraq but uncertain how to express their sentiments. However, he said he does not condone the destruction of symbols important to those who erect them.

"Some think (the best way to support the troops) is to not question their role. Some think the best way is to pursue all means possible to avoid putting them in danger,' he said. "That still does not excuse any desecration of people's symbolic participation.'

Chandler said she plans to rebuild the Sept. 11 memorial.

"We are going to rebuild this memorial, and it will be brighter, bigger and better than ever,' Chandler said.




I refuse to call these people Americans.

[j]

call them what they are...Communists

[Rob-TheStormChaser]

This was why I put up my 9/11 'tribute' last night....I am sick of people bashing us for what they think they know as right. Concensus would tell the average american that they really dont need to see more aggravation within these times, but then again it fuels our hunger to have revenge! Coincidence that its a year and a half to the day that these people start their little deals? I think not!

[mf_dolphin]

I hope that the Police Captain gets his butt in a world of hurt. The destruction of private property is not covered under any free speech law I know of. If they wanted to buy their own flags and burn them then so be it. I think it's ironic that people supposedly purporting peace often voice their opinion by destruction. More often than not it's kids looking for some excuse to destroy something.

[cycloneye]

I can't believe that happened.

[Rob-TheStormChaser]

Believe me...I take pride in my flag and treat that colorful rag with utmost respect. I even have ceremonies (like you should) when it comes time to put up and take it down, no matter how big or small it is. There are proper guidelines to follow when doing anything with the american flag...it should be bestowed as a tradition and honor and loyalty. Military personnel know all to well this little tidbit and they uphold their glory for it daily like a ritual.

[Amanzi]

That is such a horrible thing to do. I hope the people who did such a thing can stand before the victims families of 9\11 and say to there faces "I was just exercising my right of freedom!"

[chadtm80]

That pisses me off....... how could they do that?

[firefighter16]

I would like one of them to stand in front of ME and tell me they were just exercising their freedom of speech.

[sunny shine]

I hope that the Police Captain gets his butt in a world of hurt. The destruction of private property is not covered under any free speech law I know of. If they wanted to buy their own flags and burn them then so be it. I think it's ironic that people supposedly purporting peace often voice their opinion by destruction. More often than not it's kids looking for some excuse to destroy something.

You are correct. BY LAW, those people destroying private property should have been arrested on the spot! Regardless of the reasons.

And they are correct, try going to City Hall or any government building with the intent or attempt at destroying their private property and they would have been detained on the spot. Some police stations will not even let you walk on their grass!!

[Aslkahuna]

that this happened in the People's Republic of California so as long as it's Anti-American and Ultra Liberal, anything goes.

Steve
Glad to be a FORMER Californian.

[Rainband]

What a bunch of !@#* idiots....They should be shot!!!!


Johnathan

[wx247]

THAT IS DUMB! I think that is terrible. What a group of ... Oh! I am not even going to lower myself to their level.

[mf_dolphin]

I didn't understand how an American could do this till I saw that it happened in California... explains a lot!

[StormCrazyIowan]

Anyone who could do something like that-ugh! I am at a loss for words and that is not normal! That is the most AWFUL way to spread a message! If you're not happy, write a f*ckin letter!!!! Don't destroy the only memory that some people have of that tragedy! (sorry about the curse!)

[JQ Public]

Sad! Where is la Habra?

[Aslkahuna]

in La-La Land-otherwise known as the Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area. However, the same type of incident could (and probably will) happen anywhere in the PRC especially up around Bezerkley or Santa Cruz. Both Communities having actually had Communist run City Governments at times.

Steve

[mf_dolphin]

We can always hope for an earthquake :o

(fully tongue in cheek)

[coriolis]

edited by coriolis