I can't believe the man we call our President is going ahead with an 
inauguration in a time of war. If I can make it down to DC, I will be 
participating in this: 

http://www.turnyourbackonbush.org 

Quote: 
Posted on Wed, Dec. 15, 2004 
Quiet Protest Planned for Inauguration 

DONNA CASSATA 
Associated Press 

WASHINGTON - No buttons, signs or unusual dress will distinguish the protesters 
from the thousands who will line the inaugural parade route next month, but at 
a set time, they say they will demonstrate against President Bush - by turning 
their backs on the chief executive. 

Coupled with the widely expected pomp and pageantry of a presidential 
inauguration are demonstrations by protesters angered by Bush's policies, in 
particular the war in Iraq. 

Getting ready for Jan. 20, 2005, various groups are using Web sites, e-mails, 
fliers and word of mouth to urge thousands of demonstrators to gather in the 
nation's capital. 

Among planned events are an anti-war rally and three-mile march to the White 
House, a massive bike ride similar to those that disrupted traffic in New York 
City before the Republican National Convention, and a "die-in" to remind the 
nation of more than 1,200 U.S. dead in Iraq. 

Through the Web site www.turnyourbackonbush.org, organizers are urging 
demonstrators to leave political buttons and placards at home, join other 
parade-goers on the afternoon of the inauguration and then, as Bush's motorcade 
passes, show the president their backs. 

"Turning your back is as old as authority itself," said Jet Heiko, a 
Philadelphia-based protest organizer. "It's a very understandable symbol for 
defying authority." 

On its Web site, the group called it a unique action because "we won't know who 
is participating until the moment it begins." 

The DC Anti-War Network is organizing a rally and march to the White House on 
the morning of the inauguration, getting the word out through the Web site 
www.counter-inaugural.org/, which says, "Bush isn't going away, and neither are 
we." 

The violence in Iraq was one reason more than 100,000 protesters filled New 
York City streets on a Sunday morning in August before the Republican 
convention. Organizers of the inauguration protests expect stronger feelings 
toward the war to persuade thousands to travel to Washington next month. 

Heightened security, January weather and the calendar - the inauguration falls 
on a Thursday - are certain to limit the numbers. 

In 2000, additional officers from the Metropolitan Police and other law 
enforcement agencies kept order, and no major confrontations occurred and only 
a handful of people were arrested. Security is expected to be even tighter for 
the first inauguration since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. 

Four years ago, protest organizers capitalized on strong feelings over the 
disputed election, which had barely subsided, and the timing inauguration fell 
on a Saturday. This year's election was settled weeks ago, on Nov. 3, when 
Democratic Sen. John Kerry called to congratulate Bush. 

Still, organizers hope to attract a crowd. 

"We got 80 percent of people to protest the Republican Convention in New York 
in the last week," said Jim Macdonald of the DC Anti-War Network. 

ON THE NET 

Official inaugural Web site: http://www.inaugural05.com 

Protest organizers: http://www.turnyourbackonbush.org 

Protest organizers: http://www.counter-inaugural.org  


----
You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
<http://www.purple.com/list.html>.

Reply via email to