When President Bill Clinton came to town on the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, crowds poured into the streets to watch him lay a wreath at the foot of Dr. King's grave.

On Thursday, President Bush is coming to town. And the streets may be full again.

Many of Atlanta's civil rights leaders are outraged about Mr. Bush's planned visit to commemorate Dr. King's 75th birthday and are using the occasion for protests. Already, they have marched with bullhorns, signs and thumping drums, shouting for the president to stay away.

''His administration has never supported anything to help the poor, education, or children,'' said the Rev. Raphael Allen, vice president of programs at Concerned Black Clergy. ''It's all about isolationism and greed for the upper class. That's not promoting the legacy of Dr. King.''

Many demonstrators asked how Mr. Bush, who pushed for war in Iraq, could champion Dr. King, who stood for nonviolent resistance.