Bush Rally Broken-up at Connecticut College

The Connecticut Union of College Republicans ^ | February 21, 2004

[yonif]

New London, CT (February 21, 2004) - A rally by College Republicans from Connecticut College in New London, CT was broken up Friday night by Campus Safety officers, who told them they had no permit. The students were rallying peacefully in front of the Olin Science Center, near the main entrance to the school. The students were showing their support for President Bush, and encouraging others to be excited about and supportive of the President.

"No one has ever needed a permit before," said Bob French, a junior from New Hampshire and the Executive Director of the state-level College Republicans.

According to the two Campus Safety officers who broke up the event, they had instructions from their superiors at the Office of Student Life to make sure it was disbanded. The Office of Student Life was ostensibly concerned that College Republicans were protesting an event held by a rival group inside Olin that evening.

However, another Campus Safety officer drove by earlier and gave the students a 'thumbs-up' when he saw the signs for President Bush, according to E. Bion Piepmeier, chairman of the Connecticut College Republicans.

After being disbursed, the College Republicans walked to the Student Life to ask why they were not allowed to rally, and to determine what could be done about it. The Student Life office was apparently empty.

Nearly twenty students of all class years came out for the event, which lasted from 6:55 PM until approximately 7:25 PM in frigid temperatures. The students were waving official 'Bush Cheney 04' signs and also homemade signs. No arrests were made.

[yonif]

The "CCLEFT" a far-left organization was showing a big Iraq propaganda film, the one Moveon made. We were over there and then got kicked away. No surprise as the administration of the college is left. We plan on going down to a big rally at Yale tommorow.

[yonif]

Ping.

[Fierce Allegiance]

i am only 2 towns away from yale. i just may try to find you guys. what time & where?

[glorgau]

After being disbursed,...

Were they sold off as chattel? :-)

I think they meant dispersed.

[Ignatius J Reilly]

Just out of curiosity what does CCLEFT stand for.

[yonif]

Nothing really. CC = connecticut college and LEFT is Left.

[yonif]

At the next meeting I will tell them to check their spelling :) I am not the public relations guy in the club.

[facedown]

... E. Bion Piepmeier, chairman of the Connecticut College Republicans.

I'm sure he's a fine young man but, "Garlic, the first thing you need to do is requisition a new name."

[yonif]

i am only 2 towns away from yale. i just may try to find you guys. what time & where?

I just asked the chairman of the club and he said 6PM at the Payne Whitney Gym, Yale University.

[netmilsmom]

Inquiring minds want to know....
Yonif, can we see you in the picture???

[yonif]

Yonif, can we see you in the picture???,

I am not in that picture. After the rally got broken up, I went into the movie, watched the propaganda, and debated the left afterwards.

My picture is on my website, however, it has not been working as of the last few hours. But check a little later.

[zeaal]

Now these bright colleg students should know that Free Speech only applies to specific political points of view. :)

[Constantine XIII]

The University tried to do us the same way once, but they actually called the police out on us. We were on the sidewalk. Thankfully, the police told the university that the sidewalk is city property, so tough noogies for them. :)

[So Cal Rocket]

The Office of Student Life was ostensibly concerned that College Republicans were protesting an event held by a rival group inside Olin that evening

Did this "rival group" have a permit?

[bolobaby]

You beat me to it! I was gonna bemoan that our fine COLLEGE students were making that mistake!

[netmilsmom]

It's not working. I'll check back later too! It's nice to put a face to the FReeper.

[yonif]

Yup.

[AmericanMade1776]

Just want to say those College Republicans sound like nice Group of young People and I for one am very , very proud of their show of interest in Government, and the right to Freedom Of Speech! ..MORE POWER TO YOU ....!!

[beelzepug]

Your attention, please. The one party system is in effect until further notice. That is all.