By Brad Shannon, THE OLYMPIAN, 9/30/06
OLYMPIA – Activists wanting to protest President Bush’s policies
plan a “full moon peace vigil” at the state Capitol next week,
coinciding with protests in 100 other cities nationwide.
In Seattle, protesters with the World Can’t Wait campaign plan an overnight sit-in at the federal building.
The
U.S. military occupation of Iraq, which World Can’t Wait considers an
illegal war, is spurring the events, organizers say. The vigil – dubbed
“Drive Out the Bush Regime, Day of Mass Resistance” – starts at 10 a.m.
Thursday on the west Capitol Campus lawn.
“There are many …
including myself, who feel the very existence of America – as we know
it and as it was founded with the Constitution – is severely
threatened,” said Shawn McBrien of Tumwater, organizer for the Olympia
branch of the group, which posts information about its activities at
www.worldcantwait.net. “We believe there has been a hesitancy to act in
the Congress, and it’s necessary to voice political opposition to an
extent that politicians can no longer ignore these concerns.”
The
number of people attending is hard to predict, McBrien said. “We’re
trying to gauge that from the extent of messages we’ve got out in the
media. I think right now we’re looking at 1,500 to 2,000.”
White
House spokesman Peter Watkins said Friday that the president respects
everyone’s right to free speech and recognizes that others disagree
with him, but he also believes in “staying on the offense” in Iraq and
that removing Saddam Hussein from power was “the right thing.”
“He also believes that his No. 1, his most solemn duty as president is to protect the American people,” Watkins said.
The
state Department of General Administration issued a permit for the
rally late Friday after negotiating conditions for the event. No
camping is allowed for the overnight vigil, which is expected to take
place on the west campus lawn near Tivoli Fountain. The event begins at
10 a.m. Thursday and ends at 10 a.m. Friday.
“We’ve told them
there’s not to be any camping, any sleeping bags, or enclosed tents. ”
They’ve agreed to that,” GA spokesman Steve Valandra said.
Activists
also want to display large lettering on the lawn, and Valandra said the
group “agreed they won’t be sticking anything in the ground.”
A “Twister” game on a huge sheet of Tyvek spelling out “Impeach Now!” is part of the festivities.
Performers
and speakers include music by the Wickline Family, political rap by
Zombie Mob, Vietnam veteran Buddy Georgia and others; organizers say
they have 1,000 orange rain ponchos with messages such as “Impeach
Bush” on them.
McBrien said he is not aware of a
counterdemonstration, but he acknowledged it would be “short-sighted”
not to think there might be.
“This is intended to be a peaceful
gathering of those who oppose the Bush administration, that allows a
venue for a collective voice to be heard,” McBrien said.
State Patrol and Olympia police will be there for security. Taxpayers would pick up those costs, according to GA.
Brad Shannon is political editor for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-753-1688 or bshannon@theolympian.com.