The awkwardly-named “America Supports You Freedom Walk” went off yesterday largely as expected. Participants were “screened” by the Pentagon, over-the-top and cynical props were used (organizers distributed military-style dog tags to marchers), and “extraordinary measures” were in place to control participation. In all, the media reported that an unspecified “thousands” of participants took part in the event.
Celebrating “freedom,” however, was not part of the agenda.
One man who registered for the walk was detained by a Pentagon police officer after he slipped a black hood over his head and produced a sign that read, “Freedom?”
The man was removed from the Pentagon registration area, handcuffed and taken away in a police car. It was not clear whether he was charged or simply detained and the police did not respond to messages requesting more information.
Ann Grossman, 56, from Silver Spring, Md., also carried a homemade sign, which read “Honor Our Troops, Respect Their Lives,” that was confiscated by police at the Pentagon.
There were some unregistered protestors who expressed their concerns about exploiting 9/11, connecting the attacks to the war in Iraq, and cheapening the tragedy with a Clint Black concert. The Pentagon had a predictable response to the criticisms.
“Unfortunately, some people think [the Freedom March is] something that it’s not,” said Bryan G. Whitman, a Pentagon spokesman, said last week. “But we understand that perspective. You have a different perspective when you were sitting in the building that day.”
Ah yes, the subtle questioning of political opponents’ patriotism. The argument seems to go like this: If you were in the Pentagon on 9/11, you can appreciate the value (and can ignore the irony) of a “Freedom March” that has nothing to do with freedom. If you weren’t in the Pentagon, you’re not in a position to understand. “Ownership” of the day is limited, not to all Americans who were devastated by the attacks, but to those who’ve appropriated it for political gain.
Good to know.