Gay rights group told it can't protest at U.S. Naval Academy

[struggle4progress]

Associated Press
© October 20, 2005 | Last updated 5:55 PM Oct. 20

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- A gay rights group planning to protest the military's ban on openly gay service members at the U.S. Naval Academy has been told protesters will be arrested if they step on campus.

The gay rights group, Soulforce, planned to bring about 60 protesters to the Annapolis gates of the Naval Academy Friday, with the goal of getting inside and talking to midshipmen about the military's stance on gay service members.

Naval Academy officials told the Lynchburg, Va., group it won't be allowed on campus, calling the protest a "disruption." <snip>

"If they don't let us on campus, some of us will get arrested," said Jacob Reitan, director of Equality Ride, part of Soulforce. <snip>

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=93999&ran=200812

[Silverhair]

1. U S miltary installations are always closed to all protesters.

They aren't keeping you off because you are gays. They keep EVERYBODY off that wants to protest anything.

[struggle4progress]

2. I expect that you are right in this regard. On the other hand, "without

struggle there can be no progress."

[Silverhair]

3. Military installations SHOULD be closed to protesters.

Good grief. They are MILITARY installations. There are many other places to protest to make your views known.

[kweerwolf]

4. LOL ... but what do you expect from Soulforce?

The group is headed by a guy who used to work for Falwell. How smart can he be? :D

[struggle4progress]

5. A Thorn in Their Side

Mel White was a culture warrior on the religious right — until he came out

http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=525&printable=1

[kweerwolf]

7. I remember reading his book "Stranger at the Gate" ...

I really didn't care for it much. I'm sure Mel has come a long way in his coming out process, but it still seems like he's trying to win Falwell's approval ... and that strikes me as just a shade on the creepy side.

[struggle4progress]

8. I know essentially nothing about him. But I'm always happy to see ..

.. wingnuts attempt to escape from the laboratory ...

[struggle4progress]

6. I personally take the view we shouldn't have much of a standing army

because, good grief! the national security state has been a constant threat to democracy, as shown by the increasing tendency of the public to imagine large territories (such as military installations and shopping malls) where free speech doesn't apply -- and the corresponding tendency of the authorities to want to put protesters in razor wire enclosures under freeway overpasses, miles from nowhere ...

<edit: typo>