CHARLOTTE, N.C.
Anti-war protesters dog Bush
By David Dixon
Charlotte, N.C.
On Sept. 17, President George W. Bush made two campaign
stops in this Southern city. He was greeted by anti-war
protesters at both.
The first stop was at the Charlotte Merchandise Mart for a
"Forum on Women's Issues." A heavy police presence kept all but
a half-dozen protesters from reaching the front of the shopping
center. The police wouldn't allow those trying to get to the
protest to cross the street, and refused to tell them where
they could get through.
Many people later told the Action Center for Justice, a
local International Action Center affiliate and organizer of
the protest, that they gave up after feeling it was impossible
to get to the planned gathering area.
The handful who did make it braved a pouring rain, the
remnants of Hurricane Ivan, to make sure their opposition was
noted. Their placards read, "Bush is a war criminal," "Bush
lied! Thousands died!" and "W is not for women."
The protesters were particularly vocal when Bush's motorcade
passed directly in front of them.
Bush supporters leaving the forum showed their true colors
by shouting obscenities and holding up their middle fingers at
the protesters. But when they rolled down their windows, shouts
of "End the occupation! Peace now!" drowned out their name
calling.
From the slow-moving traffic on the outbound four lanes of
East Independence Boulevard came supporting honks, waves, peace
signs and shouts of approval for the protest.
Later in the afternoon Bush held a fundraiser in Charlotte's
wealthy Eastover neighborhood, at the house of the richest
person in North Carolina, C.D. "Dick" Spangler Jr. Protesters
gathered in front of Eastover Park, where the Republican
attendees had parked to be shuttled to Spangler's mansion.
The protesters marched to within a few houses of the
fundraiser before cops blocked them from going any further.
After a short time the protest moved back to the front of the
park, where passing motorists again showed much support.
When Bush supporters began leaving, with no choice but to
drive by the protest, they again shouted obscenities and gave
the finger. Several protesters heckled them back.
To everyone's disbelief, a Bush supporter drove his car up
onto the sidewalk directly at protester Alex Kramer, ramming
him and throwing him up onto the hood.
The driver accelerated, then slammed on the brakes and
reversed, throwing Kramer onto the ground, where he was almost
hit as the car sped off.
Some in the crowd got the license number and reported the
incident to the police. Kramer went to the hospital with
bruises but is okay.
In all, 26 people participated at the afternoon protest and
let Bush know what they thought of him. Plans were made for the
next event: a reception for the candidates of Workers World
Party (www.vote4workers.org) when they come to Charlotte on
Oct. 21.
Reprinted from the Sept. 30, 2004, issue of
Workers World newspaper
This article is copyright under a Creative
Commons License.
Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011
Email: ww@workers.org
Subscribe wwnews-subscribe@workersworld.net
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