Support, protests mark Bush visit

By Amy Roberts

President Bush’s whirlwind visit to Fresno on Wednesday produced a variety of reactions—Bush backers praised his programs while protesters used drums, bullhorns, signs and chants to send a message against the president’s policies.

While 600 donors ate lunch and listened to Bush discuss the war, schools and the economy, about 150 people—some for or against the president, and others indifferent—gathered on M Street across from the downtown Fresno Exhibit Hall.

Bush’s swing through California comes on the heels of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s recall win. The president first stopped in Dinuba to speak with employees of Ruiz Foods about his push to provide down-payment funding for first-time homeowners. It passed through the House but stalled in the Senate. He also discussed the economy. A contingent from Free Republic, a local organization in support of the president, faced off with members of anti-Bush Peace Fresno, sometimes swaying together to the same beat as they tried to out-shout each other. Each group agreed that demonstrating is the right choice.

Ken Hudson, 46, joined Peace Fresno two years ago and is secretary of the 100-member group. He estimated about 75 people rallied against the war during Bush’s visit.

“ We want to point out the lies that the public has been suckered into by supporting this unprovoked attack on Iraq,” he said.

West Hills student Sarah Picard, 19, decided to come after reading about Bush’s visit. She said it’s hard to keep up on being a totally educated citizen with school and work obligations, but felt it was important to come.

“ I think it’s important to be here in opposition of this administration,” Picard said, citing passage of the Patriot Act. “I didn’t care if I’d be here by myself, so I’m encouraged by the turnout.”

Fresnan Saundra Duffy, 56, is a member of Free Republic who took three hours vacation time to attend. Duffy used a bullhorn to make her point. She estimated about 25 pro-Bush demonstrators were outside.

“ We heard that Peace Fresno was going to be there so some of us decided to show up for a counter-demonstration to support the president and the military action,” Duffy says. “I was disappointed in the police – usually they separate the groups so we can each express our own free speech. But today was great. It’s a great American tradition to express ourselves.”

Some people wore bandanas to cover their faces to keep from being photographed. Community college student Peter Kropkan, 19, said he believes law enforcement groups are compiling files on regular protestors at rallies to make scapegoats out of them in criminal actions.

A police officer watching nearby said this was news to him.

While some protestors were loud and raucous, others stood by quietly holding up signs for or against Bush.

Army veteran Malcolm Chaddock, 40, dressed in a coat and tie, stood back from the crowd calmly holding a sign against Bush policies.

Asked about Kropkan’s claim, he said, “Living in this society today, if the government wants to know anything, it will. We are tracked from birth to death.”

Watching protestors, 51-year-old Jerry Walker said, “I think it’s their right to protest. I wanted to see what was going on. It’s not everyday the president comes to Fresno.”

Some people expecting admission into the Exhibit Hall found themselves turned away. Human error or simply an oversight proved to be a frustrating experience for a few volunteers and members of the media.

William Gehrkens, 19, is chairman of the College Republicans at College of the Sequoias in Visalia. He drove with two other members to serve as volunteers to hear Bush speak. Having received their security clearances on Monday and told to come by 8:30 a.m., they confidently gave up their tickets for the Dinuba appearance.

Dressed in business attire as requested, they were dumbfounded to find their names missing from the list. Gehrkens, Lotella Hale and Jason Borovay, all from Tulare, were extremely disappointed, but will not let it sway them from republican values.

“ We could’ve gone to Dinuba,” Gehrkens said. “Any description for mad you can think of, that’s how we feel.”

The media was not exempt from being left out. Channel 30 reporter Garrick Brenner expected to be on the list. After making numerous contacts, he left the media table looking for other angles to cover.

Repeated attempts to call for press credentials for The Collegian were not returned throughout the week leading up to the event.

Donors Jim and Janice Parker from Fresno said Bush’s speech had lots of energy. They said Bush’s enthusiasm for what he has accomplished and what he hopes to do in the future resonated well with the audience. They especially liked hearing Bush say local involvement is key to making schools succeed. Jim Parker, 75, thought he heard the event raised $750,000.

Bush’s next planned appearance was in Riverside Wednesday evening for another Bush-Cheney reception. Thursday he planned to meet in San Bernardino with more supporters and Calif. Gov.-elect Schwarzenegger. After leaving Calif., he travels to Asia for a nine day series of meetings.