Thousands nationwide protest Bush
By LUBNA TAKRURI, Associated Press Writer, 10/5/06
WASHINGTON – Hundreds of people called the Bush administration’s
policies a crime and held up yellow police tape along a three-block
stretch in front of the White House on Thursday as part of a nationwide
day of protest against the president.
The 500 demonstrators were among many who gathered for similar
events in more than 200 cities to protest Bush on issues ranging from
global warming to the war in Iraq.
“We are turning the corner in bringing forward a mass movement of
resistance to drive out the Bush regime,” said organizer Travis Morales
with the activist group World Can’t Wait.
Some dressed in costume, including a hooded prisoner in an orange jumpsuit, a devilish rendition of
President Bush and two grim reapers. One man wore a red cheerleader outfit with “Radical” emblazoned on the jersey.
Thousands of protesters clogged New York City’s streets as they marched from the
United Nations
headquarters. Some people lay down in the middle of the street, while
others carried signs saying “Expose 9/11” and “This war should be
over.” They also handed out fliers reading, “Drive out the Bush regime.”
Lydia Sugarman, 82, of Manhattan, said she believed in the power of demonstrating.
“That’s how we got our civil rights,” she said. “If we didn’t protest we wouldn’t be Americans.”
White House spokeswoman Nicole Guillemard defended the administration’s Iraq policy.
“Our constitution guarantees the right to peacefully express one’s
views. The men and women in our military are fighting to bring the
people of Iraq these same rights and freedoms,” she said. “The
president believes it is important to stay on the offense in Iraq.”
In Seattle, a person carrying a rifle wrapped in a blanket was among
five people arrested. The charges against the other people ranged from
resisting arrest to assault.
“They’re still investigating to determine what that person was doing
with the rifle,” said Seattle Police spokeswoman Debra Brown said.
The march through Seattle’s streets was peaceful as protesters
chanted, waved signs and wore costumes mocking administration
officials. One woman dressed as a pageant queen with a sash that read,
“I Miss America.”
In Portland, Ore., at least seven people were detained because they
did not follow police instruction to get out of the street during a
protest march through downtown.
An estimated 800 people, mostly college age, chanted “Impeach Bush”
and carried signs, including one that read: “We Can’t Wait for 2008.”
Dozens of University of North Carolina students walked out of
classes in Asheville, N.C. In Chicago, thousands of people flooded
Michigan Avenue waving anti-Bush signs.
In Reno, Nev., Rick Strandlof with World Can’t Wait said his
coalition opposes “the Bush regime’s record of corruption, fear,
incompetence and tyranny.”
“We are at a defining moment for this country and our people,” he said.
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Associated Press writer Colleen Long in New York contributed to this report.