At the "Back the Blue" Rally, in Tarrytown the past Friday

Pretty good as Brigid and I attended. At the same time, on the other side of Patriots Park (so called because it's the spot where Major Andre was captured. There's a statue there showing a militiaman - no one's thought to tear it down yet. Pictures at the end of this posting.) there was a BLM rally also going on. News 12 reported on both rallies saying there were about 300 BLM protesters and "hundreds" for the "Back the Blue" rally. And here is the LOHUD coverage, including an embedded video. Despite the video there was very little face to face confrontation between the two groups. The BLM crowd was very young - many high schoolers. Back the Blue definitely a "seasoned" crowd.

Having attended the Croton BLM rally which was larger and much better organized than this BLM - see it here - At the Croton Black Lives Matter Rally   I spent most most of my time with the Blue rally.

The MC for the BtheB rally was a 99 year old Pearl Harbor veteran! And he was REALLY on the ball. Totally sharp mind.

Two clergy spoke; and spoke well. I didn't get their names - this reverend started the rally with about a 12 minute well constructed speech.

And this Pastor of an Hispanic Evangelical Church spoke briefly and called for prayer. In fact, multiple speakers said "we have to pray".

Some BtheB crowd shots.

Check out the chic looking woman in shades and the green mask!

I twice wandered over to the BLM rally, about 100 yards away in this picture's background.

Here are some of the speakers at "Back the Blue." Overwhelmingly Hispanic or African American.

Chet Forte, a retired state trooper. One of the few names I got. Excellent speaker.

This woman is the Republican candidate for Congress in the 17th District (my district) trying to replace Nita Lowey. She is a retired firefighter and her husband a retired policeman with 33 years of service. She kept her remarks brief, but said it was important for her to be there. Her opponent had attended the BLM rally in Croton. The district is heavily Democratic.

Here's a poignant moment. This guy was at the BLM rally and came over and asked to speak. His brother was killed by New Rochelle police earlier this month. From what I could hear him say, he talked about reconciliation.

After awhile anyone who wanted to speak "from the heart" was invited up.This woman said she was born in India and spent many years in Ethiopia. She thanked the police profusely saying this is the only country where she's ever really felt safe.

This guy - self identified as Hispanic and a retired policeman - gave a fiery denunciation of BLM; not so much the demonstrators across the park but their  leaders, their "marxist ideas" and the rioters.

Another young  (high school I think) BLM person came over. She started to explain - wait for it - racism to the retired policeman who was speaking. She also said she didn't hate police - and then someone pointed out that the pendant around her neck said "fuck police".

I guess that's enough. In Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown the population is about 45% Hispanic and African-American. In the 1960's and 70's there were many racial problems, especially in the schools. Also was true of Ossining where I am originally from. I don't know what the current situation is. My progressive friends tell me all about "systemic" racism, all white people are racists, can't help themselves etc, etc. So I'm reading White Fragility - total nonsense. But the (white) author gets paid $6,000/hr for her talks. Nice work if you can get it.

Here are the pix about Andre and the still standing statue to the militia. You may recall Andre was plotting with Benedict Arnold to turn over West Point to the British.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Anigon]

Just curious: in the 7th photo down, there's an extraordinarily handsome young man in a light blue hat & darker blue shirt.
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That's not the guy t'was widely assumed would not survive thru the event, is it?
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Why yes, yes it is! The veritable Master of Moisture himself!
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Very happy he splashed himself out alive.

[maria]

Thank you so much for posting these photos. Local media outlets estimate the attendees at between 300 and 400. A nice showing for something that had little organized p.r. Additional Back the Blue rallies are being planned in the area.

[tom faranda]

Ricardo as always, you are at the top of your game!

[the Undersecretary of Underarms - Sweat]

I was fortunate enough to have been able to attend this great rally myself this past Friday evening. And I witnessed both sides taking up positions on opposite sides of the park; the BLM minions of satan on one side, and the Forces of God and of Light (in support of the good cops) on the other. And let me tell you: when I witnessed the inspiring arrival of the Master of Moisture to join the good side, I could clearly see that the 'Back the Blue' folks had obtained a decided advantage in the battle!

And kudos to Antigon for being observant enough to pick him out in the photos.