So Bush Came to Montgomery.....

Here is a synopsis of the Bush "town hall meeting" that took place in Montgomery on Thursday, March 10, 2005 on the AUM campus. Synopsis written by Valerie Downes and is printed here with permission of the Montgomery Peace Project:

"MPP [Montgomery Peace Project] gathered at the back entrance of AUM University and protested the Bush Administration's proposed privatization of social security as well
as their policies of war, threat to civil liberties, and the destruction of social programs.

"A group of roughly 45 individuals participated with approx. 30 members protesting for the full 4 hours of the permit. We were joined by several students from Auburn University and a couple from New Orleans, LA.

"The group received a relatively warm reception from 1pm to 4pm with the number of honks, thumbs up, waves, or simply no reaction from cars outweighing the yells of disapproval and thumbs down.

"At 4pm the group divided in two in order to cover both entrances of AUM. A group of 25 individuals rallied at the Taylor Road exit in hopes of catching the president as he exited. They were side by side with many Bush supporters, and did in fact, see the Bush parade exit.

"Back at the Brown Springs Road entrance, the group of 8 remaining MPP protesters received a not-so-warm farewell from people exiting the 'town hall script-o-meeting.' Gestures learned in adolescence were on display by the Bush fan club. But we did receive the occasional smile and wave.

"MPP member, Robert Delk, attended the event. The audience stood to applaud President Bush at the end of the meeting, and Robert refused to stand. Once outside, he said he would have 'much rather been out here with you all.'

"An excellent protest experience overall with some good media coverage. Wayne Sabel was interviewed for WSFA news last night. Birmingham News, the Anniston Star, and student journalists did several on the spot interviews. Clear Channel radio did an interview with MPP which aired this morning on 97.1fm. Amy Carr was part of a roundtable on WSFA yesterday afternoon discussing the social security plan.

"The wednesday night poster party at the Sabel's home was covered in Thursday's Montgomery Advertiser as well."

more info:
Montgomery Peace Project