The Concerned Duke Moms march this morning went off without a hitch. About 120 people gathered at the Durham County Judicial Building, and at 11:05 they stepped off on their about-three-mile march to Duke’s Koskinen Stadium. Several Duke lacrosse parents were along for the trek, as were quite a few players and parents affiliated with Triangle-area high school lacrosse programs. A couple of UNC students were there in support of the players, as were a few former Duke men’s and women’s lacrosse players.
The Durham Police Departments were out in force, possibly fearing a counter-demonstration that might make things ugly, but that never materialized. The police were extremely helpful and courteous and stopped traffic at every intersection so the crowd could pass safely. Once the turn was made onto Duke’s East Campus the Duke security folks took over.
The group arrived at Koskinen Stadium at 12:15 and, as luck would have it, the Duke team was practicing on the turf fields behind Koskinen. The supporters let go with a “Let’s Go Duke” cheer for about 30 seconds and then applauded the players, who continued practicing. We were told that the Duke men and women players were told not to attend the march, also probably for fear of some ugly episode. However, Coach Danowski has had several Sunday practices so it didn’t appear that this one was set up just to keep the guys from marching.
All in all it was a successful event. The marchers were very dignified, the signs were PG-rated and spirits were high. A shuttle was provided to get people back to their cars downtown, but the Shooters Nite Club party van also was provided to help with transportation. If you’re ever in Durham for a game, stop off at Shooters (it’s downtown near Brightleaf Square, just around the corner from the James Joyce and the Federal).
I’ll have a video up as soon as I can edit it and get it up on YouTube.
UPDATE: YouTube is being recalcitrant. Still trying to load a 2:36 video. Also, when the march failed to turn at Anderson I walked down to Nasher Museum where the short march was to have started and there was no one there. I don’t think we lost anyone or gained anyone on the march.
UPDATE: I spoke with the parents of Jon Enberg, who was a Duke lacrosse captain in ’02. He graduated from Durham Academy in ’98 and walked on at Duke, which he attened on a Navy scholarship. That he became a captain after starting as a walk-on is testament to his leadership skills. He’s using those skills now in Iraq. Just wanted everyone to keep Jon in your thoughts and prayers as he finishes out his tour.
UPDATE: The video finally was processed by YouTube:
