Screenshot from NBC news video
Meredith Somers reports for The Washington Times, Sept. 11, 2013, that thousands of bikers from across America roared into the D.C. area this morning in a show of support for Sept. 11 victims and in solidarity against a “million Muslims” rally on the Mall.
The 2 Million Bikers to DC ride might have fallen short of 2 million strong, but the numbers were impressive. A line of shining chrome and steel bikes stretched about a third of a mile from the starting point at the Harley Davidson of Washington store just outside the District in Prince George’s County.
The bikers began departing from the store at about 10:30 am in staggered groups of 50, stopped for traffic lights and taking an hour or so to get on the road.
The ride was complicated by the fact that federal and local authorities denied a permit that would have offered the riders a police escort through traffic, although the National Park Service granted a permit to a Muslim group planning a rally for today, the 12th anniversary of 9/11, to call attention to “social justice issues.”
Organizers of the biker ride had sought a permit from the National Park Service last month, but were denied — which organizers believe was due to political reasons. National ride coordinator Belinda Bee said, “We’re here for 9-11. We are going to have a peaceful ride. … But there are people who are sick and tired of their rights and liberties being taken away.”
The National Park Service of course denies any political motivation for refusing the permit to the bikers.
The American Muslim Political Action Committee has scheduled a rally to draw attention to what they call unfair fear of Muslims after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Ms. Bee said the ride was originally set up to counter the rally and show respect for the victims of that day.
Dan O’Brien, 54, of Mansfield, Ohio, said he had been “looking for a ride like this” to honor the Sept. 11 victims, but the rally also spurred him to join: “This is very disgraceful. They picked a day precious to the United States and its citizens.”
Thank you, biker patriots!
H/t FOTM’s Wild Bill Alaska
See also: Million Muslim March Attendees Confronted by Christian Protesters on National Mall
~Eowyn
