report from Bush protest in Pa.

[cybildisobedience]

Just returned from a great experience in Berks County, Pa., where Bush just brought his horror show. Many, many groups were involved, incl. Kerry campaign, local peace groups, Sierra Club, etc.
There was a great turnout in this tiny town. Hundreds of us -- all carrying some very creative and clever signs, were able to line up on the lawns of a couple of Kerry supporters. There, we were galked at by the obviously bussed-in "supporters," who paraded by in with their Loius Vuitton purses and ridiculous "patriotic-ware." They looked like NOBODY from this tiny little rural village.
Anyway, it was a spirited (but orderly) protest crowd -- banging drums, chanting -- and all ages were represented, including some very feisty senior citizens. I noticed a few media outlets did interview the protestors --- we'll see if they see the light of day.
After the invitation-only crowd went inside, we all re-located to Main Street, where the Bush motorcade drove in front of us. We were all told that we were allowed to stand there with our signs, but that the signs could not be held over our heads. There were also to be no drums, no shouting or chanting.
We all ignored that, of course, when the Bush-mobiles came by. And I have to say, the police were okay with it - - they didn't bug us.
The idiot was in the front of his Bush, waving to what he must have thought were his fans. The funny thing was, there were about ten times the number of protestors as there were fans. A woman standing near me told me that she was there when Clinton came to town, and that there were people EVERYWHERE, three and four deep, all cheering for him.
We actually saw Bush's evil head, with his beady, awful, shark-like eyes -- and we screamed our disgust for him.
Only one altercation --not really a fight, just a little set-to.
Some youngish woman was complaining to her companion that one of the t-shirts worn by a protestor was obscene, and how that kid should be arrested because her nine-year-old niece was exposed to it.
I said that if it was good enough for Cheney to say on the Senate floor, it was good enough for someone to wear on the street.
Well, her head exploded, of course - she responded that everyone knows Clinton swore all the time, that the Senate is private and for adults only, and that we had no right to be there anyway.
Again, since there so many of us, she eventually left (after telling the police that we should be removed because she was there first).
All in all, it was a great experience. There was NO WAY Bush can come away from it thinking he is adored in this area, and the media whores following his bus saw it too.

[Beaverhausen]

1. GREAT!!!

I grew up nearby in Montgomery Country.

[VolcanoJen]

2. GREAT report, cybildisobedience!

Sounds like you guys got to have a little fun, too!

Thank you for taking the time to write this and share with us!

[ender]

3. funny how the morning call didnt mention the protest :-)

its also funny how george stopped at the same diner that clinton did, too....

(i'm an ex-allentowner :-))

[Turanga Leela]

28. It's been all over the radio here in the Lehigh Valley...

(Hi Ender--from a current Bethlehemite!:hi:)

When I was in the Post Office this afternoon, they had the radio tuned to the local country station--the DJ was going on and on about seeing the Resident's motorcade and how "proud" he (the DJ) is to "suport this President" (exact quote.):puke:

Why, yes, it IS a Clear Channel station, how'd you guess?

Gah.

[luaneryder]

4. I love these kind of reports!!

[fertilizeonarbusto]

5. Woo, woo!

I'm originally from East Greenville in Montco. Where in Berks was this great event?

[faithnotgreed]

6. score another for the good guys with spirit!

[yellowcanine]

7. What town??? I am originally from Lebanon County - a repug

stronghold - except in 1964 when I believe LBJ actually may have carried the county.

[cybildisobedience]

10. Kutztown, Pa.

I saw on CNN that he stopped at a diner in Topton, Pa., too, on the way. No mention of any protestors, though.
So, of course, I called CNN and complained to someone on the assignment desk about the fact that they merely reported Bush was in town and ignored the fact that ten times the number of protestors were there than supporters.
No response, of course -- just an offer to transfer me to the "viewer comment line" -- an exercise in futility if there ever was one.

One more note: My apologies for typos and such -- just re-read my post and it's loaded with them. I'm typing on a laptop, can hardly see, and just wanted to tell fellow evil DUers about the experience.

[hippiegranny]

23. lebanon!

i lived there for years. was born in lancaster and grew up in east petersburg until high school, then we moved to mount gretna. my parents still live there. i am going to visit in august for the big art show weekend.

hg

ps - i live in phoenix now.

[lancdem]

29. I still live in Lancaster

and there were protrestors along his motorcade route in downtown Lancaster.

[Neecy]

8. fantastic report!

We actually saw Bush's evil head, with his beady, awful, shark-like eyes -- and we screamed our disgust for him.

I'd like to nominate this for DU Sentence of the Week :) So perfect.

[bbernardini]

9. Protest is mentioned here...

http://www.thewgalchannel.com/news/3510789/detail.html

[proud patriot]

11. Thanks for the report

:-)

[tnlefty]

12. Does this mean that Jenna actually saw that people don't like her daddy,

the naked emperor*?

[LibertyorDeath]

13. I love hearing this...Thanks

Cheers to the Good people of Berks County, Pa. :toast:

[Palacsinta]

14. He's in Lancaster County right now..........

as I type........at a local business. We have a nice demonstration organized, which I can't attend..........damn............'cause I'm watching my grandkids and they're too small to attend. I went to a protest last evening in Lancaster. We all wore black to mourn the loss of 46 PA soldiers. We marched in front of GOP headquarters then held a candlelight vigil. Lots of supportive car honks. Only one heckler! Good press in the AM paper about the march, too.

[Mixxster]

15. Way to go Jethrine!

You live in my neck of the woods. I'm sorry I missed the protest- my business is very near the GOP headquarters.

Edited to add a link to an article about the protest Jethrine mentioned above. http://www.lancasteronline.com/pages/news/local/7443

[Robbien]

30. They updated the article and fleshed it out real nice

They reported more signs and more interviews. Here is a small part of the story:

Forty-six protesters marched in the front to symbolize the 46 Pennsylvania soldiers who have died in the Iraqi conflict. The protest was made up of anti-Bush groups including Lancaster Peace and Justice Coalition, Women in Black, Democracy for America and the Lois Herr for Congress campaign. Women outnumbered men 3-to-1.

Despite the group's mournful appearance, protesters exhibited an unmistakable air of confidence, determination and happiness.

"We're very happy with the turnout, especially considering the short notice given," said Lynn Paules of Lancaster. "This could not have happened in this county a year ago. You can feel a groundswell of committed people who are determined to rid us of Bush."

Mel Lucht, 60, who once protested against nuclear weapons, said he was compelled to bring his 16-year-old daughter, Elisa Gould-Lucht, to the Lancaster protest. The son of Lucht's best friend in Nebraska died when his U.S. Marine unit was ambushed in Iraq. "I just can't stay quiet any longer. I needed something like this to vent," Lucht said. Elisa said she was inspired to protest after watching director Michael Moore's film "Fahrenheit 9/11," a documentary critical of Bush's war policy. "'Fahrenheit 9/11' showed me the truth and compelled me to do what I can to stop the killing of innocent people," she said.

Protest signs also alluded to Moore's film, but most messages were aimed directly at Bush. A colorful sign carried by Sarah Bertola, a Franklin & Marshall University senior, read "Stop the Mad Cowboy Disease.Nothing good has happened since he's been in office, and he's embarrassed us around the world," Bertola said.



More at the link:
http://www.lancasteronline.com/pages/news/local/7413?sessionID=59fa7ce2bc3dbc4d31cd25450bf9dab6

PAers you Rock!

[americanstranger]

21. Dag, missed it by a day!

I'll be in Lancaster tomorrow. My fam is having a reunion at Muddy Run Park, and the lovely K and I will be at some hotel in Lancaster before we drive back on Sunday.

Not that I'd really want to be in the same city as Smirk-Boy, anyways. :)

[Wind Dancer]

16. You made me smile!

Sure wish I could have stood next to you, congratulations!

:toast: :bounce:

[Delarage]

17. I hope there's repuke action near Delaware in July

Since I'll have the "Pants on Fire" mobile. It would be cool to drive by some evil repuke gathering and hold the horn down. Not that I could get anywhere near the bigwigs, but still.

[Imalittleteapot]

18. "…the Senate is private and for adults only…"

Wahaha.

[GreenPartyVoter]

19. Thanks for giving me a great big smile. :^D

[TrustingDog]

20. nice to see the other superpower is alive and well.

yeah, that's us now.

[PaDUer]

22. Heard he had Jenna with him?

Dressed as a happy hooker?? Wonder how she felt to know he's a marked idiot? Does he really think that the protestors wouldn't show their hatred just because she's there? Wonder how many cock-tails she's had today?

[devinsgram]

27. Hi PaDUer

Glad to see you posting today.

[Arugula Latte]

24. Ha Ha!

Great comeback to the uppity bitch who was complaining! She can go Cheney herself! Bwa-ha-ha!

[soup]

25. Thank you! Love this part-

"We were all told that we were allowed to stand there with our signs, but that the signs could not be held over our heads. There were also to be no drums, no shouting or chanting."

Say WHAT???

"We all ignored that, of course, when the Bush-mobiles came by."

Ha! love it. Thanks for being there.

:bounce: Great report! :bounce:

[devinsgram]

26. Thank you so much.

I'm from PA and I smelled a lot of stench in the air until he left.

[realisticphish]

31. cheers to the cops

:toast: sounds like some of the good ones