Protesters disrupt Bush's July 4th address at Monticello RAW STORY

Published: Friday July 4, 2008





Print This Email This President Bush delivered a July 4th address before a naturalization ceremony for new citizens at Thomas Jefferson's home of Monticello that was repeatedly interrupted by protesters who called out "war criminal" and "impeach Bush." According to news accounts, "shouts from protesters were heard during Bush's remarks," while a transcript notes repeated occurrences all through the speech of "Audience disturbance," "Audience interruption," and "Audience interruption continues." "Protesters made it hard to hear President Bush Friday," Fox News reported. According to Virginia's News Leader, "Lee Catlin, community relations director for the Albemarle County, said six protesters were asked to leave the ceremony," but none were arrested. The paper reported, "A Monticello spokesperson said that protesters were allowed to express their views unless they blocked views or passageways. He said that Monticello has no plans at this time to press charges against the six who were removed from the museum grounds." At his AfterDowningStreet.org website, activist David Swanson explains why he and others "interrupted Bush at Monticello." "When Bush opened his mouth to speak I shouted 'Defend the Constitution, Impeach Bush!'" Swanson writes. "I repeated that several times, as people nearby knocked me over, cops handcuffed me, people gave me smiles and thumbs up signs. They threw me out and a couple of more defenders of our Constitution behind me, and then a few more, and then a few more. The handcuffed citizens who'd done their duty kept coming down the hill. They did not arrest us but did give us a ride down the mountain where we joined a crowd of protesters in the road who greeted Bush's limo coming and going." Swanson links to a page devoted to Ohio Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich's 35 Articles of Impeachment against President Bush to explain "why." Kucinich released a July 4th message asking for help in restoring the "rule of law in America." RAW STORY has more at this link. The following video, uploaded to YouTube by Swanson, was credited to S. Johnson and shows "footage of Gael Murphy, Desiree Fairooz, and Linda Lisanti, who were at Monticello: