Denver activists tell Bush:
'Not our president! Not our policies!'
By Elijah
Crane
Denver
On Aug. 14, a motorcade of more than 40 cops on motorcycles,
two limousines and several other automobiles made its way
through Denver. Riding in one of the limos was President George
W. Bush. Most of the other passengers were special agents who
serve to "protect" Bush from the people he supposedly
represents as the official leader of the United States.
The presidential caravan proceeded toward the Adam's Mark
Hotel in downtown Denver. There, Bush would address a
$1,000-a-plate minimum-donation fund raiser for Colorado's
Republican Gov. Bill Owens.
It is not at all ironic that this racist, pro-death, pro-war
villain would patronize the Adam's Mark Hotel, which has
recently settled a two-year court battle over racist
discrimination.
The NAACP picketed in front of this Denver hotel on Aug. 11,
and again on August 14. Protesters drew attention to the
chain's racist practices, which have not changed despite the
settlement's legal mandate to do so.
As Bush made his way to the Republican function several
hundred activists were demonstrating their protest in Civic
Center Park. Members of various community and national
organizations unraveled their banners in preparation for a
march while speakers addressed the anti-Bush rally.
"My union is fighting for general amnesty," Jorge, a janitor
and member of the Service Employees union, told the spirited
crowd. "We fight for the right for our work to be recognized.
We demand a general amnesty for all workers. ... No human being
is illegal."
A representative from the International Action Center and
Rainbow Flags for Mumia spoke on the prison-industrial complex,
the racist death penalty and Mumia Abu-Jamal.
As Bush approached the boycotted Adam's Mark Hotel, marchers
fashioned a two-by-two formation and stepped off into the
streets. Over 300 protestors, including members of Jobs with
Justice, Colorado Hands Off Cuba Coalition, the Communication
Workers union, Colorado Campaign for Middle East Peace, the
International Action Center and Rainbow Flags for Mumia, as
well as a Black Bloc contingent and others, joined together for
the march.
Carrying signs--"Hands Off Cuba!", "Free Palestine!" and
"Jobs with Justice"--and banners--"Free Mumia," "End the
politics of cruelty," and "Bush = Racism"--the protestors
showed strong opposition to Bush and his racist, pro-war
policies.
Chants of "G.W. go home!", "George Bush, we know you, your
father was a killer, too!" and "Racist, sexist, anti-gay, Bush,
Cheney go away!" rang through Denver's downtown streets.
As the anti-Bush procession journeyed down the 16th Street
Mall--a pedestrian mall where the Adam's Mark is
located--protesters paused at several points to call attention
to local stores and branches of transnational corporations that
are known for sweatshop labor.
Police presence was minimal. No arrests were made. After
several loops around the area, demonstrators positioned
themselves in front of the Adam's Mark shouting, "Si se
puede!", "Who's got the power? We got the power! What kind of
power? People power!" and "Brick by brick, wall by wall, we're
gonna free Mumia Abu-Jamal!" to a background of enthusiastic
drumming by dozens of young activists.
As the demonstrators disbursed, coalition organizers vowed
to meet again to follow up on the rally and continue efforts to
overturn the Bush program.
Many of those present are also organizing for S29--the Sept.
29 protest in Washington at the White House.
This article is copyright under a Creative
Commons License.
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