Anti-Rail activists stoop to a new low.
Just days before the Race for the Cure, the anti-Kellar Rail Branch group littered University with their “Build The Trail” signs, which used a very nice enviro-green color, I might add. I was disgusted that they would use the event to push their own misguided agenda
Thankfully, the city needed to mow the grass and removed the signs, replacing only the Susan G Komen signs when they were done.
My blood began to boil again when I read this letter in todays Journal Star letters to the editors:
I was at Race for the Cure on May 12. I have walked in almost 20 races, the last three as a survivor.
The weather was perfect that Saturday, as was the race, except for one thing. There was a group of people wearing green sandwich boards and carrying green and white balloons. They were walking to promote the Kellar branch hiking and biking trail. I told them I didn’t think it was appropriate for them to be promoting their own agenda. I was told they were walking with us, but I feel they weren’t walking for us.
This race is very personal to me and to everyone who is a survivor or who has a loved one who has gone through breast cancer. I feel they disrespected the true meaning of this race.
Walking around with Sandwich Boards and handing out green balloons at the Race for the Cure? How low will they go!? And we’re supposed to take these people seriously? Are they going to be at Springdale Cemetery for the Memorial Day ceremonies too?
I’d love to have the trail connect from downtown to Pioneer Park, but not at the cost of current and future business in both Peoria and Peoria Heights.
The trail advocates, after more than 10 years, have got nothing accomplished except scaring off any potential businesses from moving here and I’m convinced that they won’t be satisfied until Carver Lumber is run out of town.
What they did at the Race for the Cure only further demonstrates that their complete selfish and single-minded ego knows no bounds. The truth about the Kellar Branch is slowing getting out. The trail folk need to stop alienating themselves and figure out a way to work together to get this darn thing built.
PeoriaIllinoisan
May 26th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
As the business I work for is a corporate sponsor of the Race For The Cure, we have to work within very defined guidelines of what we can do and promote during the event. I wonder what the Komen Foundation would think of a group with no financial commitment to the “Cure” using the Race to promote their agenda?
May 27th, 2007 at 12:26 am
[...] PeoriaIllinoisan and C.J. Summers — both good Blogger buddies of mine — take exception to some guy who was walking around the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event with a sign reading, “Who needs rail? Build the trail.” [...]
May 27th, 2007 at 5:52 am
They paid their race fee to participate and OF COURSE they have the right to wear boards or pass out balloons. It is a little thing in this country we like to refer to as Freedom of Speech.
May 27th, 2007 at 6:56 am
PeoriaGuy: Of course they had the right to wear sandwich boards, carry green and white balloons, and make make complete horses’ asses out of themselves. One would think, however, that they would show a little class and not detract from the reason of the gathering: raising money and awareness for breast cancer research.
May 27th, 2007 at 8:04 am
Peoria Guy -
No, I don’t believe they have the right. The paid entrance to participate in the Race does not give you advertising rights. Adverstising rights cost thousands. So, next year if some explicit porn site and the KKK send a 100 people each to the Race promoting their business or cause, that is OK with you?
May 27th, 2007 at 10:25 am
It’s not a matter of rights, but of decency. The Race is all about life and death. It honors those who fought the fight but passed away, those who fought and survived, and those who need hope, encouragement and support for the future. Hitching a free ride on an event that has very special, and deep, meaning for so many people is indecent and exposes the true character of those who took advantage. Let the trail people work their asses off to create an event one-tenth as successful as the Race. But don’t infringe on the hard work, dedication and commitment of others.
May 28th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
The day before the race a car pulled up and out hopped a lady carrying a sign. I think she automatically assumed I would say yes to her request to put a “Trails” sign in my yard. She was a little taken aback when I told her “No” before she could even finish the question.
That whole group bugs the crap out of me.
And quite a classy move during the Race.
May 29th, 2007 at 7:09 am
I agree with PI completely. And as anyone knows who has ever purchased sponsorships or advertising rights to a major event, the cost is huge. Not fair for others to jump on the bandwagon!
May 29th, 2007 at 7:28 am
I was thinking, the Junior League helped start the Race for the Cure, but did you see them out there promoting the Peoria Playhouse? No, as it should be.
May 29th, 2007 at 9:56 am
As the son of a survivor, this makes me really, really angry. My mother went through months of pain, depression, and surgery during her fight. She sure as hell didn’t go through all of that so a bunch of classless a**clowns could drop a soapbox right in the middle of an event honoring of her and those like her.
May 29th, 2007 at 10:11 am
Since there is evidence of them promoting their cause during the race, organizers should find them and ask them to pay the sponsorship fees. Tacky, indeed.
I am pro-environment AND pro-rail - as it is far more green and earth friendly ripping out valuable infrastructure for bike trails - especially when we could have BOTH!
May 29th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Ditto!! What Cory said…
May 31st, 2007 at 1:46 pm
I think that GoldenPalace.net needs to get in on this marketing boon. Just think-they could create an online casino specifically for survivors of cancer! Wow!!
July 18th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article Anti-Rail activists stoop to a new low., but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.