Hundreds demand Bush’s impeachment

Protesters confront Bush in Charlotte, N.C., on April 6. Photo: Diane Stalford

Some 400 people protested against President Bush when he came to Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte on April 6. The protest started with a march from Independence Park through the CPCC campus where students cheered chants of “Impeach Bush.”

Demonstrators filled the sidewalk across from Halton Theater, where Bush was to give his speech defending the U.S. war on Iraq. Police immediately tried to move the protest farther away from the students, but the protesters refused to leave, citing a permit issued to the Action Center for Justice for that location. As police grouped, protesters defiantly chanted, “We have a permit” and “We have a constitution.” With the demonstrators obviously unwilling to leave, police acknowledged the people’s right to protest.

From there, a spirited demonstration began with many students joining in. Loud chants of “Impeach Bush,” “Not my president, not my war, what the hell are we fighting for?”, “Drop tuition, not bombs” and “Books not bombs” were a few popular slogans echoing across the campus.

Two people were arrested, one the police cuffed and carried away by his hands and feet. Demonstrators angrily chanted, “Arrest Bush, not citizens” and “Not my president, not my war, the real criminal is inside that door.”

One protester had managed to get invited and confronted Bush during a Q & A, making headlines around the world. Harry Taylor said to Bush, “While I listen to you talk about freedom, I see you assert your right to tap my telephone, to arrest me and hold me without char ges.” After a short interruption of boos from the audience, he continued, “What I wanted to say to you is that I—in my lifetime, I have never felt more ashamed of, nor more frightened by my leadership in Wash ington, including the presidency. I would hope from time to time that you have the humility and the grace to be ashamed of yourself.”

Bush responded only by defending his illegal domestic spying program. (New York Times, April 7).