IGOLD 2010 - Lots of pics inside

[Ol'Coach]

Starting this thread hoping for comments during the day from those who might be there and have internet access.

 

This is the 1st IGOLD I've missed!

 

I hate sittin' here, not being able to be there! At least I'm sittin' here in my IGOLD shirt and cap!

 

Let those legislators hear it from us, folks!!!

 

 

Title edit to reflect pics inside. ~Templar

[boog]

Sorry you weren't here Coach. Everything went great maybe 5,000 and Otis McDonald spoke. I took Lots of photos and will post them tomorrow

boog

[05FLHT]

The wife and I just got back. It was a fantastic day and a wonderful time! The capitol building got a little crowded, but that was a good thing!

 

Did anybody catch what the white coats were doing there? They looked like doctors, but I overheard some of the suits with them say they were pharmaceutical reps.

[Arch1GLK]

All I saw on an interview with Brady in the Capital was a lot of yellow shirted people walking behind the crowd of press people and him.

[Murf]

All I saw on an interview with Brady in the Capital was a lot of yellow shirted people walking behind the crowd of press people and him.

This interview?

 

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp311/Entropy47/BillBrady.jpg

[Murf]

Hard to capture the magnitude of the event on a crummy cell phone camera, but it was quite a day. Anyone heard an official count yet?

 

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp311/Entropy47/capitol1.jpg

[Zenvar]

Just got back from dinner after my first IGOLD. It was great but I am sure as heck gonna have to do a lot more walking beforehand next year! Thanks to everyone involved in the organizing of the buses! I even managed to get some Illinoiscarry.com stickers. Good day over all!

 

Michael

[Longhornjeff]

THIRDPOWER has some info at his site

 

http://daysofourtrailers.blogspot.com/2010/03/igold-2010_10.html

[Johnnybgood]

Did anyone else notice that during the National Anthem everything came to a stop and I don't think there was a heart that wasn't covered by a hand or hat. I was standing at attention myself. Proud Patriots all!

[Jeff Johnson]

Bunch of pharmacy students and pharma lobbyists as well as beef and pork producers lobbyists, but we had 'em outnumbered. too bad the turnout for IGOLD was so light. I don't know what the actual count was but it looked like about the same crowd as last year in the convention center. Mr Otis McDonald is my new hero. I think he got 5 standing ovations? I met him later, asked him if he was tired of shaking hands. He said, "I will never get tired of shaking hands with my friends and the people that have supported me." great guy.

yeah, the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegience both got the attention they deserve.

[ilphil]

I still don't see a word about IGOLD on the Tribune or WBBM-AM websites. What a surprise...

[Lou]

From the St Louis Post Dispatch.

800 people??????

 

03.10.2010 9:57 am

Illinois gun owners push for concealed carry legislation

By Kathleen Foody

Post-Dispatch Springfield Bureau

 

 

 

http://interact.stltoday.com/blogzone/political-fix/political-fix/2010/03/illinois-gun-owners-push-for-concealed-carry-legislation/My link

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Though the biggest news in Springfield and Illinois today is Gov. Pat Quinn’s budget address, the Illinois Rifle Association is in the rotunda pushing concealed carry legislation.

 

Association President Richard Pearson told reporters that the group scheduled their annual lobby date before the legislature allowed Quinn to push back his address but never considered rescheduling. The organization expects about 800 members in Springfield today, including Colleen Lawson, one of the plaintiffs in the McDonald case against the city of Chicago’s handgun ban heard by the Supreme Court earlier this month.

 

Two pieces of legislation creating concealed carry in Illinois have advanced out of the House’s Agriculture commitee, buoyed by support from downstate representatives.

 

Pearson said Illinois should join the 48 other states that already have concealed carry. Wisconsin is the only other state without the policy but does allow “open” carry.

 

The first bill is from state Rep. John Bradley (HB6249) and the second from state Rep. Brandon Phelps (HB462).

 

But neither measure is likely to get support in the full House, controlled largely by anti-gun Chicago Democrats.

[abolt243]

I still don't see a word about IGOLD on the Tribune or WBBM-AM websites. What a surprise...

 

I saw Chicago Fox vans there, I assume covering the budget address.

 

Molly reported that the first estimate from the folders taken was about 7000 people. I'm sure there will be an official count when all the numbers get counted up. Yes, the national anthem and the Pledge were impressive. Even the Marshall's meeting over away from the action came to a screeching stop.

[Xwing]

Association President Richard Pearson told reporters that the group scheduled their annual lobby date before the legislature allowed Quinn to push back his address but never considered rescheduling. The organization expects about 800 members in Springfield today, including Colleen Lawson, one of the plaintiffs in the McDonald case against the city of Chicago's handgun ban heard by the Supreme Court earlier this month.

 

 

800? I think not! I am curious about the real total though. It felt about the same as last year, but I know there were a lot more busses this year...

[rams_1_again]

What a beautiful day today!

 

The highlight of my day at IGOLD was standing on the steps at the Capitol and shaking hands with Otis McDonald under the Lincoln statue. All that I can say is....wow.

 

Another great moment was meeting some of guys from IllinoisCarry in person! It was a day to remember.

[PPK]

My guess is a typo. Should have been "expecting 8000."

[Arch1GLK]

All I saw on an interview with Brady in the Capital was a lot of yellow shirted people walking behind the crowd of press people and him.

This interview?

 

http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp311/Entropy47/BillBrady.jpg

 

 

Yup, Dats It!

[SheepleNoMore]

Did anybody catch what the white coats were doing there? They looked like doctors, but I overheard some of the suits with them say they were pharmaceutical reps.

 

They were pharmaceutical reps. Didn't pay much more attention to them after I saw that. Was a 3 letter acronym. Can't recall the other 2 words.

[SheepleNoMore]

Did anyone else notice that during the National Anthem everything came to a stop and I don't think there was a heart that wasn't covered by a hand or hat. I was standing at attention myself. Proud Patriots all!

 

There were a bunch of us that were saluting. Now authorized for veterans. Felt good to render the salute again.

[Johnnybgood]

I overheard a gentleman in the rotunda remarking that their little delegation got overrun by the gun people. Just heard we will have coverave at 10p.m. news I think it is channel 17.

[Ashes]

Seemed a little light this year. On my bus we did get a lot of new people who had never been to an IGOLD. A lot of old people from last year were missing though.

[lee n. field]

Starting this thread hoping for comments during the day from those who might be there and have internet access.

 

Actually had my netbook with me there, but only used it to check email.

 

Just got back.

 

Rep. Jim Sacia not in his office, Sen. Tim Bivins was, in his same weird little mezzanine office. just like last year. Bivins remembered me from last year. (!).

 

Weather was wonderful -- warm enough to sap my enthusiasm for marching. Wonderful after a long depressing winter.

 

I am curious about the real total though. It felt about the same as last year,

 

Ditto

 

Quinn

 

In the aftermath, I heard one woman say that the governot refused to meet or greet the ladies. True?

 

What an interesting typo. I think I'll keep it. :-)

[Blaster]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4424116390_ac64737b13.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2792/4424111404_db3529cdf8.jpg

[Ashes]

On a separate note...

 

We need something like drums and some pipes for the march next year. Maybe a few more Revolutionary War reenactors. We had some Rev war, WWI, WWII actors all dressed up today. Wish I got some picture of them, they did a great job.

 

Another suggestion was to hand out the information packets sooner, like on the bus for those who took the bus.

[Blaster]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2768/4424112646_848f311eda.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4424112058_26514b7fb7.jpg

[Blaster]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4423352493_efaa4c68fb.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4424115400_37c2e20fa9.jpg

[Blaster]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2742/4424117866_c2b5a0be90.jpg

[templar223]

Bunch of pharmacy students and pharma lobbyists as well as beef and pork producers lobbyists, but we had 'em outnumbered. too bad the turnout for IGOLD was so light. I don't know what the actual count was but it looked like about the same crowd as last year in the convention center. Mr Otis McDonald is my new hero. I think he got 5 standing ovations? I met him later, asked him if he was tired of shaking hands. He said, "I will never get tired of shaking hands with my friends and the people that have supported me." great guy.

yeah, the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegience both got the attention they deserve.

 

I got roped into representing GSL as our president had to take his wife to the hospital last night after the GSL meeting and she was admitted. (Tests negative so far, thankfully.)

 

I had no idea McDonald was there are when someone first mentioned him and pointed down the table, my jaw probably dropped to the floor. OMG, I'm up here with someone making a mark on American history and culture in our time.

 

Nice guy doesn't begin to describe this guy. I had two chances to corral him and chat with him and I think he would have talked with me all day like I was his best friend. I did get his autograph on the GunNews story from last month with his picture. I think I'm going to frame that.

 

This case, irrespective of the decision, will be today's Brown v. Board of Education. We owe a lot to this fellow and I doubt he'll ever have to buy a beer again if he's around our people.

 

Folks in the back that Don Moran told to quiet down probably had no idea who was on the microphone. I do know there was no chatter after Don chimed in.

 

Nice crowd. Lots of like-minded folks not only from gun groups of all stripes, but also Patriot Guard, Oath Keepers, Appleseed, and plenty more.

 

It was a great day.

 

John

 

http://www.gsldefensetraining.com/photos/IGOLD_01s.jpg

 

800 people at the entire event? Obviously they don't even count gun owners as much as they counted slaves during enumerations before the Civil War. Those historically challenged would do well to learn that slaves were only counted as 3/5ths of a person. Here are 150 individuals from just the Champaign and Vermilion County areas that took the bus.

 

 

http://www.gsldefensetraining.com/photos/IGOLD_02s.jpg

 

The view straight ahead from the stage. Probably about 1/3 of the people inside at the PCCC.

 

 

http://www.gsldefensetraining.com/photos/IGOLD_03s.jpg

 

Tom Shaffer gets 'em warmed up. I'm glad Tom is on our side. He's a great motivating speaker and one helluvan asset to our cause.

 

 

http://www.gsldefensetraining.com/photos/IGOLD_04s.jpg

 

Let's roll!

 

http://www.gsldefensetraining.com/photos/IGOLD_05s.jpg

 

Thousands marched from PCCC to the Capitol.

[Thirdpower]

ABC20 just ran a piece. Short but balanced.

[templar223]

http://www.gsldefensetraining.com/photos/IGOLD_06s.jpg

 

800? Maybe the mainstream reported couldn't count any higher than that, do ya think?

 

 

http://www.gsldefensetraining.com/photos/IGOLD_07s.jpg

 

Just a narrow view of the last half of the march coming home to Lincoln's statue.

 

 

http://www.gsldefensetraining.com/photos/IGOLD_08s.jpg

 

Truer words were never spoken. Or would it be "A picture is worth a thousand words?"

 

 

http://www.gsldefensetraining.com/photos/IGOLD_09s.jpg

 

Women have rat tail combs for protection.

 

Our governor, inside a building secured by many armed men and metal detectors, still has, count 'em, three armed bodyguards in his lobby. They were cordial, but they had a plan to kill everyone they met.

 

http://www.gsldefensetraining.com/photos/IGOLD_10s.jpg

 

Valinda arriving at the Governor's office. He directed that a few of the ladies (and Mike Rowe - no, not that Mike Rowe) to be admitted and handed them off to an aide who loaned the sympathetic ear. It is our belief that despite his campaign rhetoric that he would sign right-to-carry if it made it to his desk. Contrast this year's response to last year when they wouldn't even let IGOLD participants near the door of the Governor's office.