Gray Peterson
Founder's Club Member - Moderator
imported post
As everyone well knows, I generally open carry at GLBT related events, such as Pride.
The recent passage of Proposition 8 in California by a 4 percent margin sparked nationwide protest rallies and marches last saturday. I was one of 6000 marchers against Proposition 8 here in Seattle area, and I attended both the beginning and end rallies at Volunteer and Westlake Parks respectively.
Not surprising, though, I was open carrying the entire time. The last time I went to Volunteer Park in Pride 2007, I was hassled and harassed by ignorant Seattle PD who threatened to arrest me, stranding my partner who had to go to work later that day (he doesn't have a drivers license) if I didn't leave due to their preempted park ordinance. I left because I couldn't afford to strand him.
Not so this time around....
I arrived at Volunteer Park around 12:20. I was mostly hanging out near the back because there was around 5000 people at Volunteer Park. It also had lots of speakers. I was speaking with a few people at a table (who finally noticed I had my pistol on my right hip after a few minutes of talking to them). Very interesting to say the least.
That being said, while talking with them, I happened to notice Mayor Greg Nickels walking by me! :what:
What's surprising is the way he walked by me, he didn't notice my pistol at all (walking by my left side). I will say this: For a bunch of general people on the "left side" of the political equations, when I pointed out that Nickels walked by, they were not too happy. They think he's a opportunist, and I will quote "He's a giant douchebag who will say anything to get elected, whether it be saying that he's for gay marriage or anything else". Too true.
There was a significant police presence there both at the rallies and during the march between Volunteer Park and Westlake Park. I marched in the parade as an individual, I was open carrying with my brothers and sisters in the battle, educated a CRAP load of people on open carry and gun carry in general, and got the "Pink Panthers" label from a few people (variant of the Black Panthers). I stated "Nah, more like the Deacons of Defense and Justice". Funnily enough, most of the people got the reference (they were pretty historically educated people on that subject).
Not ONE police contact. I had the training bulletins ready to hit them with, but they didn't stop me.
As everyone well knows, I generally open carry at GLBT related events, such as Pride.
The recent passage of Proposition 8 in California by a 4 percent margin sparked nationwide protest rallies and marches last saturday. I was one of 6000 marchers against Proposition 8 here in Seattle area, and I attended both the beginning and end rallies at Volunteer and Westlake Parks respectively.
Not surprising, though, I was open carrying the entire time. The last time I went to Volunteer Park in Pride 2007, I was hassled and harassed by ignorant Seattle PD who threatened to arrest me, stranding my partner who had to go to work later that day (he doesn't have a drivers license) if I didn't leave due to their preempted park ordinance. I left because I couldn't afford to strand him.
Not so this time around....
I arrived at Volunteer Park around 12:20. I was mostly hanging out near the back because there was around 5000 people at Volunteer Park. It also had lots of speakers. I was speaking with a few people at a table (who finally noticed I had my pistol on my right hip after a few minutes of talking to them). Very interesting to say the least.
That being said, while talking with them, I happened to notice Mayor Greg Nickels walking by me! :what:
What's surprising is the way he walked by me, he didn't notice my pistol at all (walking by my left side). I will say this: For a bunch of general people on the "left side" of the political equations, when I pointed out that Nickels walked by, they were not too happy. They think he's a opportunist, and I will quote "He's a giant douchebag who will say anything to get elected, whether it be saying that he's for gay marriage or anything else". Too true.
There was a significant police presence there both at the rallies and during the march between Volunteer Park and Westlake Park. I marched in the parade as an individual, I was open carrying with my brothers and sisters in the battle, educated a CRAP load of people on open carry and gun carry in general, and got the "Pink Panthers" label from a few people (variant of the Black Panthers). I stated "Nah, more like the Deacons of Defense and Justice". Funnily enough, most of the people got the reference (they were pretty historically educated people on that subject).
Not ONE police contact. I had the training bulletins ready to hit them with, but they didn't stop me.