Lyman Stucky held his small rally Wednesday to protest San Bernandino, Calif., not draping a 30-by-22-foot flag on the side of City Hall, reports the San Bernardino County Sun. The city council has turned down a request for the giant flag because of logistical and expense reasons. There are, by the way, plenty of standard-size American flags flying regularly at City Hall.
But at least Stucky got the message that a threatened boycott of the city's Route 66 Rendezvous wouldn't be productive:
For his part, Stucky backed away from an initial proposal of boycotting the annual Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous if the council did not reverse its decision.
"I want to support the Route 66," Stucky said. "It is a good organization, and I support it in good faith. I just hope I can expect the same from the City Council."
Steve Henthorn, president and CEO of the San Bernardino Convention & Visitors Bureau, said he spoke with Stucky earlier on Wednesday and talked him out of the boycott.
"I was just letting him know that I thought that he was holding the wrong victim hostage," he said. "He did have a little change of heart, and I'm glad."
Although the Rendezvous is an economic boon for the city, Henthorn said the targeting such a huge event largely supported by volunteers would be "like sticking it to yourself" for the protesters a group that is primarily made up of car buffs.
Based on the meager number of protesters (as shown by the photo gallery with the story), Stucky also probably figured out that a boycott would have been an empty gesture. The Route 66 Rendezvous is much bigger than Stucky is, or ever would be.
I also have a hunch that the festival's sponsor, Stater Bros. Markets, called Stucky and told him to knock it off. I briefly met one of Stater Bros.' key organizers during the festival last year; he's a Vietnam veteran who will match his patriotism with anybody's. And if you need further proof, just check out the front page of Stater's Web site.