Below is a good report on today’s demonstration in St. Charles. I can
attest that the estimate of 200 to 300 people is correct. Nonetheless,
WBBM radio ran a report from Julie Mann that claimed that only 70 people
were present! Later, she reduced the number to "several dozen"! In one
of the reports, she also spent quite a bit time quoting the *one*
counter-demonstrator.

–Kevin

Subject: Kane County, Illinois 
Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2003 17:39:44 -0600
From: "LouPaulsen" <LouPaulsen@attbi.com> 

 A report from a correspondent. This is about 40 miles west of Chicago:

The peace demonstration on the bridge across the Fox River on Rte. 64 in
mid-town St. Charles, IL was wonderful in that there were approximately
250 people, despite the very cold and quite windy day. (I literally
counted at about 11:30 this morning and got beyond 200; later our line
expanded in length on both sides of the bridge; but people came and
went, so probably the most we might have had at any one point was 300.)
Many people carried excellent signs and banners. The vast majority of
people in passing cars and trucks were supportive, either waving or
blowing their horns (in response to "honk for peace" signs) or flashing
a "V" for peace symbol or a "thumbs up" to the demonstrators; as usual,
many people showed no interest or response one way or the other, and a
very few flashed either a thumbs down OR a rude symbol or a gesture of
disgust--but I repeat relatively few! We were happy that so many people
of all ages, sizes, and colors attended; I myself spoke to 3 people from
London, Eng. (now residents of the Fox Valley). We are eager to learn
about the Chicago march, as well as those in the rest of the country and
the world today; but we will be skeptical of whatever numbers we hear
reported.