President George Bush was greeted by more than well-wishers during his visit to Statesboro Monday.
With signs, banners and chants, anti-Bush protesters converged on Hanner Fieldhouse to voice their disagreements with the president.
Protesters started gathering around 8 a.m. at GSU’s Russell Union Rotunda.
“The revolution started really early for most people,” said Heather Holloway, one of the protest organizers.
Their numbers steadily grew, and four-and-a-half hours later, an informal head count put their number at more than 250 GSU students, professors and Statesboro locals.
“What’s the point in complaining about something if you’re not going to do something about it?” asked GSU student Rachael Barkie.
She first heard about the rally on Facebook.com. The popular social networking site was used to organize the protest at GSU.
Originally, protesters and media were told they would be limited to a “free speech zone” at the Rotunda.
“At what point did ‘don’t tread on me’ become ‘don’t tread over here?’” asked Cohen Edenfield, one of the people gathered there.
The event quickly became a rally, with speakers urging the crowd to action speaking on subjects from the war in Iraq to reproductive rights, the Patriot Act and the environment.
Members of the local Unitarian Universalist congregation were on-hand, too, explaining that “people of faith” support progressive causes.
Organizers stressed repeatedly that the protest was to be a peaceful one, and when Edenfield tried to tell the group they needed to do more than just hold signs and chant he was quickly pulled aside by GSU faculty member Lori Amy and other organizers.
“If you in any way jeopardize our peaceful protest, I will point you out to the Secret Service,” she said.
Police said no one was arrested in connection with the protests Monday.
Marching to Hanner and beyond
Secret Service and local law enforcement allowed the demonstrators to march to Hanner Fieldhouse about 10:30 and stand along Herty Drive, and then to stand along Fair Road across from the event during and after Bush’s speech.
Holding a huge sign that read “shameful war, troops home now,” Ruth Green said this was her first protest. “Usually we have a sane president,” she said. “This is the only way we can get to him.”
An older protester, she said she was happy to see the large number of young people at the rally. “It gives me hope that people are beginning to think a little bit and see what’s happening to our country,” she said.
Protester Mary Marwitz spoke briefly with a Bush supporter. Marwitz said she was trying to understand their mindset.
“I can’t understand what people approve of in lying and deceit,” she said. “I could be wrong.”
Several of the protesters voiced displeasure, alleging that a Young Democrat-sponsored tailgate for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Taylor was asked to remove signs at GSU’s Homecoming game Sat., Oct. 21, but that Hanner Fieldhouse was being used for political purposes with the Bush speech, which was sponsored by GSU College Republicans.
“That doesn’t equal equality for me,” said Haley Shank, vice president of the Young Democrats.
GSU spokesman Stephen Ward said he didn’t immediately know anything about the incident, but would look into the matter.
While on Fair Road, the group drew cheers and jeers, both from drivers and people on the other side of the street, near Hanner. A few Burns supporters held up signs supporting the candidate, but most just went to their cars and left after the speech, paying little notice to the protesters.
When the president left Hanner, heading northwest on Fair Road and bypassing most of the protesters since he left from a far parking lot, the demonstrators chanted “coward.”
Fair Road protest
Directly across from Hanner Fieldhouse on Fair Road, a group of about two dozen people gathered Monday morning, most holding signs in support of Rep. John Barrow, the Democrat currently representing Georgia's 12th House District.
"This is a public right-of-way and we're exercising our American right to free speech," said John Brown, chair of the Bulloch County Democratic Party.
"We're here to support John Barrow," said Joe Bill Brannen, treasurer of the local Democratic Party. Brannen said he did not see why anyone should have a problem with their gathering on Fair Road.
"We're not a danger to the president. The most we could do is embarrass him for spending taxpayer money to support a candidate (the voters) decided wasn't worth a flip and that's Max Burns," Brannen said. "Contrary to what this administration says, everyone that is a Democrat is not a potential terrorist."
Gesturing to the line of people waiting to enter Hanner Fieldhouse, Brannen said, "For a president who's supposed to represent the whole country, show me one African American in that line."
Rosemarie Stallworth was also out to support Barrow.
"Bush is here to support Max Burns," she said. "We get relegated to this little piece of sidewalk to support John Barrow."
Clay Elrod, a Georgia Southern student, said he chose to show his opposition on Fair Road rather than in the Free Speech zone to show that GSU students are part of the community.
"I think it's ridiculous," he said about the Free Speech Zone. "America should be our free speech zone." Elrod said until 2002 he was a registered Republican, but he switched parties after the war in Iraq began. "I didn't really believe the two reasons we went to war — weapons of mass destruction and the terrorist linkages," he said.
Another GSU student, Jason Burke said he opposed many of Bush's policies including tax cuts for the rich and the ballooning deficit. "I think John Barrow is going to win this seat," he said. "I hope it (the Bush visit) does more harm than good (for Max Burns)."
Others along Fair Road held signs in support of gay marriage or reading "Bush lied."
Debra Sabia, a GSU professor, said she was there as a protester of both Bush policies and the Free Speech zone.
"America used to be a free speech zone," said Sabia, who carried a sign which read 'Our kids in Iraq? Send the Bush twins.' "What we're witnessing in this country is the contracting of zones — of people's privacy zones and free speech zones. I feel I can make a greater impact being here (on Fair Road)."
Sabia also questioned the appropriateness of the university allowing Bush to campaign on campus. "I think it's inappropriate for a president to come to a public university for a purely partisan opportunity," she said. "I think this university should have disallowed President Bush coming here for that purpose ... It makes me wonder if it doesn't threaten our tax-exempt status."
No organized counter-protest
There was no organized counter-protest, though while protesters gathered at the Rotunda GSU student Jack Park quickly made a sign from materials he bought at the University Store. It read “Save the dolphins, eat a Democrat.”
“Everything should be fair and balanced,” he said, describing himself as a “South Park” Republican, styled after the politics of the popular animated television show.
“My beliefs are valid, too.”
One protester, with a sign that read “imagine peace,” sat, Buddhist-like, on the Rotunda lawn. A passerby sent an “ommmm” his way derisively. Another man walking by towards Hanner Fieldhouse told his middle-school aged son “they don’t know any better.”
“What can you do?” said Casey Garner, a protest organizer.
After the protesters lined Herty Drive across from Hanner, hundreds of Burns and Bush supporters who were turned away at the door stood on the other side of the street. There was a small bit of back-and-forth between the two groups, but the protesters were loudest – they had the bullhorn and organized chants.
“Go back to Hollywood!” yelled one man as he walked across from the demonstration.
Another woman made a cutting motion across her throat at the protesters, and one woman, upon spying a sign that said “Bomb Texas – they have oil, too,” said “You’ve a terrorist right there, saying bomb Texas.”
Craig Stuckless of Vidalia had a short, yelled conversation across the street with a protester. He bought his wife, two children, father-in-law and aunt to see Bush, but like hundreds of others was turned away when Hanner filled up, even though he had a ticket.
“Both sides of the street are in America, and America’s full of free speech,” Stuckless said. “I didn’t want him lying in front of my kids, and that’s why I spoke up.”
He said he was disappointed to not get in, but not angry.
“These things happen,” he said.
Those turned away outnumbered the protesters by at least three to one, but they quickly dispersed after the president’s motorcade drove past.
Others came just to watch the show. “I think it’s hilarious,” said GSU student Matt Howard, pointing out a few signs. “You don’t get to see stuff like this every day.”
There was one brief interaction between police and protesters. Around noon, a Statesboro Police officer informed a few of the demonstrators that a verse of “the hokey-pokey” that started “you put your butt in, you put your butt out” – with accompanying motions – could be considered disorderly conduct. The protesters stopped.
The same police officer asked a few protesters if they were registered voters. One replied “No, but I’m planning to.”
The officer laughed and replied “isn’t that hypocritical?”
Turnout larger than expected
Organizers were thrilled by the turnout. “Not every college student is as apathetic as people think,” Holloway said.
Garner said he was impressed that law enforcement let the group exercise their First Amendment rights so freely.
“I expected to be one of six or seven people holding signs and being harassed,” he said.
Both pro-Bush and anti-Bush sides showed mutual respect, he said.
“We’re not trying to demonize Republicans, we’re trying to demonize failed policies,” he said.
“The reason there are protests is because there are two sides to every issue,” Holloway said.
Holloway said she was happy that Secret Service and police allowed the group to march to Fair Road, and that the event was educational.
“Long-term, it’s basically going to raise the awareness, specifically for the people who came,” she said. “A lot of these people showed up with one issue on their mind … they got to hear about all the issues this administration affects.”
The protesters closed the afternoon by marching back to the Rotunda to continue the rally.
With signs, banners and chants, anti-Bush protesters converged on Hanner Fieldhouse to voice their disagreements with the president.
Protesters started gathering around 8 a.m. at GSU’s Russell Union Rotunda.
“The revolution started really early for most people,” said Heather Holloway, one of the protest organizers.
Their numbers steadily grew, and four-and-a-half hours later, an informal head count put their number at more than 250 GSU students, professors and Statesboro locals.
“What’s the point in complaining about something if you’re not going to do something about it?” asked GSU student Rachael Barkie.
She first heard about the rally on Facebook.com. The popular social networking site was used to organize the protest at GSU.
Originally, protesters and media were told they would be limited to a “free speech zone” at the Rotunda.
“At what point did ‘don’t tread on me’ become ‘don’t tread over here?’” asked Cohen Edenfield, one of the people gathered there.
The event quickly became a rally, with speakers urging the crowd to action speaking on subjects from the war in Iraq to reproductive rights, the Patriot Act and the environment.
Members of the local Unitarian Universalist congregation were on-hand, too, explaining that “people of faith” support progressive causes.
Organizers stressed repeatedly that the protest was to be a peaceful one, and when Edenfield tried to tell the group they needed to do more than just hold signs and chant he was quickly pulled aside by GSU faculty member Lori Amy and other organizers.
“If you in any way jeopardize our peaceful protest, I will point you out to the Secret Service,” she said.
Police said no one was arrested in connection with the protests Monday.
Marching to Hanner and beyond
Secret Service and local law enforcement allowed the demonstrators to march to Hanner Fieldhouse about 10:30 and stand along Herty Drive, and then to stand along Fair Road across from the event during and after Bush’s speech.
Holding a huge sign that read “shameful war, troops home now,” Ruth Green said this was her first protest. “Usually we have a sane president,” she said. “This is the only way we can get to him.”
An older protester, she said she was happy to see the large number of young people at the rally. “It gives me hope that people are beginning to think a little bit and see what’s happening to our country,” she said.
Protester Mary Marwitz spoke briefly with a Bush supporter. Marwitz said she was trying to understand their mindset.
“I can’t understand what people approve of in lying and deceit,” she said. “I could be wrong.”
Several of the protesters voiced displeasure, alleging that a Young Democrat-sponsored tailgate for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Taylor was asked to remove signs at GSU’s Homecoming game Sat., Oct. 21, but that Hanner Fieldhouse was being used for political purposes with the Bush speech, which was sponsored by GSU College Republicans.
“That doesn’t equal equality for me,” said Haley Shank, vice president of the Young Democrats.
GSU spokesman Stephen Ward said he didn’t immediately know anything about the incident, but would look into the matter.
While on Fair Road, the group drew cheers and jeers, both from drivers and people on the other side of the street, near Hanner. A few Burns supporters held up signs supporting the candidate, but most just went to their cars and left after the speech, paying little notice to the protesters.
When the president left Hanner, heading northwest on Fair Road and bypassing most of the protesters since he left from a far parking lot, the demonstrators chanted “coward.”
Fair Road protest
Directly across from Hanner Fieldhouse on Fair Road, a group of about two dozen people gathered Monday morning, most holding signs in support of Rep. John Barrow, the Democrat currently representing Georgia's 12th House District.
"This is a public right-of-way and we're exercising our American right to free speech," said John Brown, chair of the Bulloch County Democratic Party.
"We're here to support John Barrow," said Joe Bill Brannen, treasurer of the local Democratic Party. Brannen said he did not see why anyone should have a problem with their gathering on Fair Road.
"We're not a danger to the president. The most we could do is embarrass him for spending taxpayer money to support a candidate (the voters) decided wasn't worth a flip and that's Max Burns," Brannen said. "Contrary to what this administration says, everyone that is a Democrat is not a potential terrorist."
Gesturing to the line of people waiting to enter Hanner Fieldhouse, Brannen said, "For a president who's supposed to represent the whole country, show me one African American in that line."
Rosemarie Stallworth was also out to support Barrow.
"Bush is here to support Max Burns," she said. "We get relegated to this little piece of sidewalk to support John Barrow."
Clay Elrod, a Georgia Southern student, said he chose to show his opposition on Fair Road rather than in the Free Speech zone to show that GSU students are part of the community.
"I think it's ridiculous," he said about the Free Speech Zone. "America should be our free speech zone." Elrod said until 2002 he was a registered Republican, but he switched parties after the war in Iraq began. "I didn't really believe the two reasons we went to war — weapons of mass destruction and the terrorist linkages," he said.
Another GSU student, Jason Burke said he opposed many of Bush's policies including tax cuts for the rich and the ballooning deficit. "I think John Barrow is going to win this seat," he said. "I hope it (the Bush visit) does more harm than good (for Max Burns)."
Others along Fair Road held signs in support of gay marriage or reading "Bush lied."
Debra Sabia, a GSU professor, said she was there as a protester of both Bush policies and the Free Speech zone.
"America used to be a free speech zone," said Sabia, who carried a sign which read 'Our kids in Iraq? Send the Bush twins.' "What we're witnessing in this country is the contracting of zones — of people's privacy zones and free speech zones. I feel I can make a greater impact being here (on Fair Road)."
Sabia also questioned the appropriateness of the university allowing Bush to campaign on campus. "I think it's inappropriate for a president to come to a public university for a purely partisan opportunity," she said. "I think this university should have disallowed President Bush coming here for that purpose ... It makes me wonder if it doesn't threaten our tax-exempt status."
No organized counter-protest
There was no organized counter-protest, though while protesters gathered at the Rotunda GSU student Jack Park quickly made a sign from materials he bought at the University Store. It read “Save the dolphins, eat a Democrat.”
“Everything should be fair and balanced,” he said, describing himself as a “South Park” Republican, styled after the politics of the popular animated television show.
“My beliefs are valid, too.”
One protester, with a sign that read “imagine peace,” sat, Buddhist-like, on the Rotunda lawn. A passerby sent an “ommmm” his way derisively. Another man walking by towards Hanner Fieldhouse told his middle-school aged son “they don’t know any better.”
“What can you do?” said Casey Garner, a protest organizer.
After the protesters lined Herty Drive across from Hanner, hundreds of Burns and Bush supporters who were turned away at the door stood on the other side of the street. There was a small bit of back-and-forth between the two groups, but the protesters were loudest – they had the bullhorn and organized chants.
“Go back to Hollywood!” yelled one man as he walked across from the demonstration.
Another woman made a cutting motion across her throat at the protesters, and one woman, upon spying a sign that said “Bomb Texas – they have oil, too,” said “You’ve a terrorist right there, saying bomb Texas.”
Craig Stuckless of Vidalia had a short, yelled conversation across the street with a protester. He bought his wife, two children, father-in-law and aunt to see Bush, but like hundreds of others was turned away when Hanner filled up, even though he had a ticket.
“Both sides of the street are in America, and America’s full of free speech,” Stuckless said. “I didn’t want him lying in front of my kids, and that’s why I spoke up.”
He said he was disappointed to not get in, but not angry.
“These things happen,” he said.
Those turned away outnumbered the protesters by at least three to one, but they quickly dispersed after the president’s motorcade drove past.
Others came just to watch the show. “I think it’s hilarious,” said GSU student Matt Howard, pointing out a few signs. “You don’t get to see stuff like this every day.”
There was one brief interaction between police and protesters. Around noon, a Statesboro Police officer informed a few of the demonstrators that a verse of “the hokey-pokey” that started “you put your butt in, you put your butt out” – with accompanying motions – could be considered disorderly conduct. The protesters stopped.
The same police officer asked a few protesters if they were registered voters. One replied “No, but I’m planning to.”
The officer laughed and replied “isn’t that hypocritical?”
Turnout larger than expected
Organizers were thrilled by the turnout. “Not every college student is as apathetic as people think,” Holloway said.
Garner said he was impressed that law enforcement let the group exercise their First Amendment rights so freely.
“I expected to be one of six or seven people holding signs and being harassed,” he said.
Both pro-Bush and anti-Bush sides showed mutual respect, he said.
“We’re not trying to demonize Republicans, we’re trying to demonize failed policies,” he said.
“The reason there are protests is because there are two sides to every issue,” Holloway said.
Holloway said she was happy that Secret Service and police allowed the group to march to Fair Road, and that the event was educational.
“Long-term, it’s basically going to raise the awareness, specifically for the people who came,” she said. “A lot of these people showed up with one issue on their mind … they got to hear about all the issues this administration affects.”
The protesters closed the afternoon by marching back to the Rotunda to continue the rally.