Forum Protests Covered Wide Gamet of Subjects

Waco Tribune Herald ^ | August 14, 2002 | Mike Anderson

[McLynnan]

The talk was all economics on the Baylor campus Tuesday, but outside protesters sought attention on issues ranging from corporate influence in politics to abortion to human rights in China.

More than 70 protesters braved 90-plus degree weather to demonstrate near Baylor University, site of President Bush's economic forum.

Authorities closed off the core of the campus during the forum and earlier made it clear that protesters would be escorted off school grounds. Although police reported no arrests during the event, at least one person was asked to leave after repeatedly slipping past police barricades, said Jim Doak, chief of the Baylor Department of Public Safety.

"For the most part, (protesters) were very gracious," he said. "We did have this one woman who kept trying to get inside the closed-off area with a sign, and we asked her to leave. Finally we told her not to come back or she had only one option left (arrest).

"She stopped."

Law enforcement had a visible presence in Waco throughout Tuesday morning, guarding the forum site and escorting motorcades though the city. Waco Assistant Police Chief Brent Stroman said about 150 Waco officers worked alongside county, state and federal officers, as well as those representing several local police forces.

Waco Police Chief Alberto Melis said he was not aware of any arrests related to the event.

"All went swimmingly," he said.

About 50 protesters gathered at Indian Spring Park at noon to hold a rally condemning the influence of big business on Bush administration's economic and environmental policy. The group, made up predominately of people from outside Waco, made its presence known with an inflated White House with factory smokestacks added; a 10-foot-tall puppet of former Enron CEO Ken Lay; and a couple of protesters dressed as Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney in prison stripes.

Chanting "Human need, not corporate greed," the group marched down University-Parks Drive to the officially sanctioned protest area at Ivy Square, across from campus.

Ryan Hughes, a Michigan resident who came to Waco for the demonstration, slipped in and out of character as he spoke from behind a Cheney mask.

"I am glad to see all these people expressing their right to free speech," he said. Then, shifting into his impression of the vice president, he abruptly added: "I think they are the criminals and we need to throw them all in jail."

David Metzger, a protester with the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, said that despite the protesters being kept at a distance from the event, their message got across.

"Oh, they know we were out here, you can count on that," he said. "We don't have to be right out there to get our message out. We were getting a lot of honks from people who drove by, and the media was here."

A group of workers on their lunch break stopped for a few moments to watch the demonstration at Ivy Square. David Allison said he thought the protests would probably be ineffective.

"There aren't very many people out here watching this," he said. "I don't know why they are doing this anyway. They are not going to change the way anybody feels in Waco. But I guess we are not really the ones they are talking to."

Waco resident Paul McDaniel said he showed up to support the demonstrators because he could relate to their cause.

"I am a Vietnam veteran and I know a little bit about the injustice of fighting for a group motivated by greed," he said.

In contrast, about a dozen demonstrators representing the Falun Gong spiritual movement quietly demonstrated by doing exercises, which resemble yoga and tai chi. The group, whose followers insist it is not a religion, originated in China in 1992. The Chinese government has imprisoned and executed members of the practice, which it regards as a religious sect.

Hong Yi Pan of Houston said demonstrators hoped to draw attention to their cause in advance of Chinese President Jiang Zemin's October meeting with Bush near Crawford.

"Our people are being persecuted in China and we are hoping President Bush will put pressure on (Jiang Zemin) during the meeting," he said. "We are peaceful. We don't fight back or retaliate, and they have killed at least 450 in China and put many more in prison and mental hospitals."

A couple of blocks away, Rick Ellis sat at the intersection of South Fifth Street and the Interstate 35 access road. Behind Ellis was a panel truck, its side covered with a large photograph of an aborted fetus.

Through the morning, drivers honked at Ellis, who said he represented a group called "Waco Right to Life." One female driver slowed and flashed Ellis a peace sign, yelling, "Keep fighting the good fight."

On the other hand, motorist Darla Harrison, who was stopped at the red light with her son and mother-in-law, said she was furious that her son saw the picture.

"What is that going to achieve?" she asked. "I saw it too late to divert his attention. What is a mother supposed to say to her son about such a horrible display. Have shame!"

Ellis said he understood the anger.

"It's a hard message, and it's tough to look at, but it's the truth," he said. "They have a right to do (abortions) and we have the right to tell the truth. And our president needs to understand this truth as well."

[McLynnan]

W ping!

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Two protesters, one dressed as President Bush,left, and Vice President Dick Cheney, in "prison" garb demonstrate in front of an inflatable "White House" in Waco, Texas, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2002, where President Bush was holding his economic forum. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) - Aug 13 3:27 PM ET

	A protester with a Dick Cheney mask and dressed in jail stripes talks on a bull horn in Waco, Texas, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2002, where President Bush was holding his economic forum. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) - Aug 13 3:30 PM ET
	Two protestors, one dressed as Vice President Dick Cheney, center, and the other as President Bush march in front of a sign saying "End Corporate Rule" in Waco, Texas, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2002, where President Bush was holding his economic forum. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) - Aug 13 3:19 PM ET

[McLynnan]

Thanks for the pics. Charming people, aren't they?

[AppyPappy]

"What is that going to achieve?" she asked. "I saw it too late to divert his attention. What is a mother supposed to say to her son about such a horrible display. Have shame!"

I bet mommy had to stutter all night to explain that one.

[boris]

"Wide Gamet"

Not, I suppose, spelling.

[marylina]

Thanks again, ma'am.

My husband keeps asking me if we know of anything which has come out of the summit yet. We know the topics discussed, but do you think the media will get the "results" they want (or don't want--then they can blast Bush) out of this conference?

[general_re]

Silly headline writers - this is how you spell it...

[dighton]

"The expurgated version -- the one without the double-n."

[McLynnan]

"Wide Gamet"

Yes, I noticed that, and debated whether I should play editor and correct the spelling. Spell check must not be automatic at the Tribune Herald.

[tcostell]

"Human need, not corporate greed,"

There's a unique and pointed message for the left to use in connecting to the people. I can't wait to see how many of the annointed get behind this new rallying cry.

I'm sure we'll all be hearing it again...and again....and again....

[Tijeras_Slim]

They stole this idea from Dr Raoul!

[Junior]

I think the word is "gamut."