Mr. Smash has made something of a habit of attending anti-war rallies and recording some of their less-than-savory aspects for posterity. Reading about these events is a strange experience; it doesn’t seem like reality. It almost feels like I’m reading one of Frank’s In My World posts. Smash’s latest piece crystalized it for me. Specifically, the people involved. You’ve got the former Ukrainian there to enlighten the A.N.S.W.E.R. folks. Then you’ve got a Guardian Angel named “Sledge” there to provide some protection, if needed. Best of all, there is “Red”. Red is a recurring character in Smash’s exploits. I say “character” becaues Red is so over-the-top that he is almost a caricature of himself.
I recognized Pete Reilly (aka “Red”) from a previous A.N.S.W.E.R. rally in San Diego. He was the guy who called me a “f—ing fascist,” and then ran off to complain to the cops. This time around, Red made the mistake of approaching Eric first, perhaps assuming that he was the most easily intimidated of the three.
“Why don’t you get out of here, you f—ing fascist?” It was Red’s favorite opening line.
It’s funny, Smash posted a picture of Red this time, and he looks exactly how I pictured him. Smash likes to keep quiet and blend into the crowd, allowing him a certain fly on the wall perspective that gives him some funny opportunities (such as this interview). As I said, it feels strange reading this, as if it isn’t reality… but it is.
That’s not the norm for protesting, right?
I hope not. I wonder if most of the people there even knew what the speakers were really saying. You can’t always hear what’s being said if you’re far back and are only there because a friend of a friend mentioned it….
I sure hope not. Unfortunately, I know A.N.S.W.E.R. does organize a lot of such events, but I really can’t comment authoritatively on who attends them. I suspect the majority of people participating are more moderate, especially before the war started. I get the feeling that the protests happening now are significantly smaller as well… In any case, there are always people who seem a litte over-zealous in these sorts of things, and because of their zeal, they are also the most visible. Reasonable people don’t call as much attention to themselves…