Unknown protest parades on Main Street

Posted by Howard Owens on July 17, 2009 - 11:23am
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mainstreet_protest.jpg

Now here's something you don't see on Main Street every day -- I have no idea what this protest parade is about. The guy in denim is holding a sign that says "Free ..." and I could not read the rest. I didn't get a better picture because I wasn't looking through viewfinder -- I was too busy trying to read the dang sign and figure out what this was about. I'm hoping they walk back by on the south side of Main, and if they do, I can ask what this is about. Anybody know what those two flags in the back are? (and thanks to whomever texted me to alert me, or I might not have noticed -- hope you weren't texting while you were driving!)

UPDATE: From a reader:

The one with the star on a blue field is Burma

The Star on red is the flag of the National League of Democracy--a Burmese group for peace.

There was a van parked out front for awhile that had a sign on the side that said "March for Burma, Ft. Wayne, IN to NYC"

From another reader:

I'm guessing the protest is to free Aung San Suu Kyi, the world's only incarcerated Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Could be wrong -- but there's been some news about her. And the other flag - though I can't really tell what it really looks like -- looks like the ones she has pictures with.

Posted by Gabor Deutsch on July 17, 2009 - 11:50am
I think the sign said free willy !
Posted by Laura Scarborough on July 17, 2009 - 12:33pm
Howard, I am lol today, are you office bound? There are some really great pics coming in and you have not even left your office.
Posted by Susan Brownell on July 17, 2009 - 12:41pm
I agree with Laura! Batavia is hopping today it seems!
Posted by bud prevost on July 17, 2009 - 1:13pm
Saw these guys walking on Rt 5, protesting Chinese oppression on Tibet.
Posted by jamie leigh on July 17, 2009 - 2:37pm
the guy in front in the white hat is joe barsuke i can tell ya that much i can spot him anywhere
Posted by Laurie Penepent on July 17, 2009 - 3:27pm
Yes, these gentlemen are protesting Aung San Suu Kyi's incarceration. It is her picture on one of the posters. The other reads 'Peace March - Fort Wayne to NYC - 900 miles'. As they were trekking past my parents' house near Terry Hills, my family and I ran out and offered them water. They have been on the road since late May. Best wishes to them!
Posted by Jeff Allen on July 17, 2009 - 8:10pm
It is a shame to have a Nobel Prize winner incarcerated, but I guess if there must be one, let's see if they'll do a trade for Al Gore!
Posted by George Richardson on July 18, 2009 - 3:15pm
I feel like walking to Batavia to protest something. What can I protest that would make me feel good? I've got it, I'll protest walking to Batavia to protest something. I'm feeling better already. Won't you join me? Or, if you are too busy, won't you ignore me? Thank You.