Freedom Walk 2008

Jim Azzola   8/12/08

Walked from Anston to Pulaski, WI in the morning.

Passed out flyers announcing the event at the busiest venue, the only food store in town.  Steven’s presentation was well crafted and well received from the small crowd of local townspeople at the American Legion Post in Pulaski.

I handled the literature table, shot video of the town meeting, and signed up interested townspeople.  During Steven’s lecture, I made notes on improvements that need to be made.

8/13/08

Began walk from Pulaski to Bonduel.  10 miles of farmland.  Most of the walking was with a thick cloud cover, with two sprinkles of rain.

The rest of the walk, some two hours, was spent under moderate sunshine.  As the group entered Bonduel, we stopped and spoke with a group of about 8 children on bikes.

Their parents came out and spoke to us on camera about the what their priorities are for the country. Many townspeople wave and truckers honk upon seeing our flags.
8/14/08
Walked from Bonduel to Shawano (pronounced “Shawno”) today,  about 10 miles.  Gave a quick radio interview with the local station.  Reporter was waiting for us on a street corner.   Small panic erupted when two AV cables didn’t materialize.  Fortunately, there were backups found inside the high school in Shawano.  Maybe 25 folks showed up to the presentation, which keeps getting better all the time.  More community involvement in discussions, and folks from town are opening up more and more.  Bridget Panzer, a local resident, hosted us tonight, providing dinner and much appreciated hospitality.  Thanks Bridget!

Jim

Our intrepid organizational team hit the ground today in Wittenberg, Wisconsin, handing out flyers to dozens of pleasantly surprised residents, announcing the upcoming Constitutional Town Hall meeting this Friday at the Community Center.  Our crew of Rod, Steven and Jim walked into 5 downtown bars, eliciting wide-eyed stares along with comments as “you’re walking…..280 miles…..for WHAT?!”  With a quick explanation, many locals express their gratitude that we’d spend time on such a worthwhile adventure.   Mark, an ex-navy vet from Appleton, looking a tad sunburned from an afternoon spent watching a baseball game, asked us where everywhere was from, related to us in a refreshingly friendly way that he was a liberal against the war with great sympathy for our cause.  When he spotted Rod’s T-Shirt, he said “hey, I’m into Ron Paul.”  Fancy that!  We said our warm goodbyes and looked forward to seeing Mark once again.

Our RV Convoy is heading to Green Bay tonight, awaiting our momentous kickoff at Lambeau Field tomorrow.   Jim

Depending the timing & schedule, Minnesotans for Limited Government (MNLG) is looking forward to joining Melissa Hill on the walk from Bloomington to Loring Park in Minneapolis.

MNLG is a formal PAC formed by Ron Paul MN State GOP delegates from the Fourth Congressional District in Minnesota. The Fourth Congressional District consists of all of Ramsey county (St. Paul metro area). We are 100 members strong and ready to make a difference.

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Jeff Hagen
Fourth Congressional District MN Ron Paul Campaign Coordinator
Vice Chairman, Minnesotans for Limited Government
www.MNLG.org

http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog/?p=292

Please comment and Digg!

Freedom Walk - A group of concerned Americans will be walking 280 miles from Green Bay‚ WI to Minneapolis‚ MN in August to promote the Constitution and the founding principles of our nation.

The “Great American Walk for Freedom” will pass through 24 Wisconsin towns over 280 miles and 21 days. As they walk‚ they will be distributing thousands of copies of the U.S. Constitution‚ holding Town Hall meetings‚ and interviewing with local media. At the Town Hall Meetings‚ they will be giving a presentation entitled: The Case for Freedom: The Constitution is the Way Forward for America. They are intending to spark thought and discussion about the constitutional issues raised by the presentation.

For contribution information and to inquire about hosting a Town Hall in your community‚ visit their website here.

The President of the Village of Pulaski, Mr. Keith Chambers, has been most welcoming to our Town Hall Meeting.  He’s distributing our notice to all Chamber of Commerce members and getting a notice of the event placed on the local cable access channel!  Local churches are also notifying their parishioners and the school system has sent an email out to their database.

Pulaski is the first stop on the “Great American Walk for Freedom”.  We arrive on Tuesday, August 12th.

Great news!  The Wittenberg town hall meeting is going to be held at the Wittenberg Community Center on August 15, 2008 at 6:00 pm.   The Wittenberg Enterprise News will put an article in their newspaper about the walk. The woman at the community center will put fliers about town when send them to her.

Way to go, Deanna!  She did a great job setting this meeting up.

Great American Walk for Freedom Traverses Wisconsin
Effort Promotes Constitutional Government

On August 11, 2008, a group of “latter day Paul Reveres” will step forward and take a “Message of Freedom” directly to the people of Wisconsin and Minnesota. Displaying undaunted commitment to the restoration of Constitutional government in America, these self-described “patriots of the 2nd American Revolution” will traverse 280 miles in 21 days to arrive in Minneapolis for Congressman Ron Paul’s “Rally for the Republic” on September 2nd.
The group feels that the fundamental principles of the Constitution are no longer being followed in America today.  “We have lost our way.  We have a government of men, not a government of law.  We’re talking about the restoration of Constitutional government and the rule of law”, says John Zwengel, one of the group’s organizers and a computer graphics artist from rural Illinois.

Educate and Organize
The organizers are quick to point out that The Great American Walk for Freedom is not a protest or a demonstration.  “This is a campaign of outreach, education and organization”, says Los Angeles resident Steven Vincent.  “In each town we pass through, with every American we meet, at every farmhouse and every crossroads, we will educate the people about the condition of the country and the solution to its troubles:  the principles of Liberty and the Constitution. “

A fleet of rented RV’s will serve as mobile dormitories, mess halls, bathrooms and supply vehicles.  The RV’s will be decorated to advertise our message as they travel and will serve as housing in Minneapolis as well.   

Taking the “Case for Freedom” to the People
The group plans on distributing thousands of copies of the U.S. Constitution and “USA Tomorrow” newspapers and will hold Town Hall Meetings in some 24 locations along the route.  “We will cut a swath across two States and leave a trail of Freedom in our path” says Michael Maresco, who hails from Hawaii.  “Samuel Adams spoke of “setting brushfires of Liberty in the minds of men.  That’s what we aim to do.”

At these meetings the group will give a presentation entitled:  “The Case for Freedom:  The Constitution is the Way Forward for America”.   Jim Azzola, an online bookseller from New Hampshire said, “We will also encourage dialogue about the Constitutional issues raised by the presentation.  We intend to spark thought and discussion giving voice to the People on the most pressing matters facing the nation today.”

Vincent feels that “Americans are ready to hear the message of Freedom” and notes that “the response from the people of Wisconsin has been tremendous.  We have Town Hall Meetings scheduled at High Schools, Public Libraries, American Legion Posts and Churches.  The responsive participation we are receiving is exemplified by the leader of a Boy Scouts troop who, upon learning of the upcoming meeting, offered to distribute flyers to all the parents and scouts at their next gathering.  He also volunteered to place the flyer on public bulletin boards around town and place an ad in the town newspaper.”

The organizers say that several returning Iraq War veterans will be joining their Walk for Freedom and that Wisconsin veterans organizations have been among the most interested in hearing their message. Harry, an 81 year old WWII and Korean War veteran from rural Illinois, contacting VFW and American Legion Posts about the Great American Walk for Freedom. Harry feels that something has gone wrong with the country and feels compelled to act. “I can’t believe what this country is becoming.  It’s sure not what I went to fight for”.

We The People
The organizers emphasize that it is a non-partisan effort.  The Freedom Walkers are an odd assortment of Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Independents and others whose basic agreement is that the Founding Fathers gave America a governing rule book to follow and that it is no longer being followed.  “I always say, if you don’t have rules, then you’re going have rulers.” says Steven Vincent.  “Someone is going to decide.  If it’s not the unbiased law, then it’s going to be men with a self interested agenda”.

The Great American Walk for Freedom will have a big “Kick Off” from Lambeau Field in Green Bay on Monday, August 11th at the Packers home opening game.  Their first stop from there will be Pulaski, Wisconsin.

To find the complete schedule of stops and Town Hall meetings, visit www.Walk4Freedom.com.  To participate in the Walk for Freedom, set up a Town Hall Meeting, make a donation or otherwise support this effort, contact: freedommessage@sbcglobal.net or leave a message at 414-256-1307. 

Harry Woolen, an 81 year old WWII/Korea Vet, has taken on the task of contacting all the VFW and American Legion Posts along our route of the Great American Walk for Freedom.  He’ll be securing their support and participation in putting on Town Hall Meetings.  Harry says, “I can’t believe what this country is becoming…it’s sure not what I went to fight for”.

If an 81 year old vet cares enough to step up and take on a task, maybe you can too.  There are still many tasks unfilled and very little time.  Please let us know if you can volunteer your help.  And please make a cash contribution now at http://www.WalkforFreedom.org