The recent antics of the anti-war ANSWER Coalition, including pasting signs on utility boxes advertising their planned protest this Saturday on the National Mall despite orders from the city not to, resulting in several arrests and thousands of dollars in fines, haven’t won the group many new fans among locals. Even though the District is a heavily liberal town populated by people who mainly agree with their stand on the war, ANSWER’s attitude toward the city in which they organize has left some feeling baffled, if our comment threads are any indication.

Still, we haven’t heard of any D.C. residents who are angry enough about the signs to plan any kind of anti-ANSWER protest — that role will instead be played by a group far less sympathetic to the anti-war movement. The Gathering of Eagles, a relatively new group dedicated to “defending” the country’s war memorials and opposed to the notion that it is possible to “support the troops but not the war,” is organizing a counter-demonstration. The AP via NBC4 says the group plans to line Pennsylvania Ave. between 7th and 10th when the anti-war march goes by on Saturday, which begins at noon, though the Gathering of Eagles plan first to rally at 9:30 a.m. on the Mall.

The Post has more on the Gathering of Eagles, including a quote from member Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.), a man known for occasionally making rather poetic speeches at human rights issues meetings on the Hill. Currently Rep. McCotter seems to be rather more passionate about going to war with Iran.

So will there be a real rumble on the Mall this Saturday? We certainly hope not, and at least on paper, the Gathering of Eagles claims to adhere to nonviolent principles, as does ANSWER. Surely we can expect some heated shouting downtown this weekend, though.

Photo of protest signs from 2005 by Joe in DC