Bush critics ready burgers, protests
President Bush’s visit to Spokane this week for a $1,000-a-plate fund-raiser has given Bush critics a collective rallying cry. Instead of grand entrées, they’re dishing up conspicuously blue-collar burgers or mac-and-cheese.
At least three events have been planned to counter Bush’s Spokane visit.
Volunteers gathered at the Peace and Justice Action League on Tuesday night to make signs for Bush’s visit Thursday.
The anti-war group obtained a city permit Tuesday that allows them to gather along Spokane Falls Boulevard to greet the presidential convoy that’ll usher Bush to the Convention Center Thursday night for a fund-raiser, said PJAL’s leader, Vietnam veteran Rusty Nelson.
While Nelson can’t be sure of the president’s route, he’s hoping his group will see the motorcade to express dissatisfaction with Bush.
“A lot of people in Spokane feel like they need an opportunity to express the way they feel about what this president has done in our country,” Nelson said. “We want the people who are paying a thousand dollars a plate that they are not in as strong a position ally-wise as they think.”
At 11 a.m. today, veterans who support Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry will rally at Riverfront Park by the Vietnam Veterans memorial. Former Green Beret Jim Rassmann and state Rep. Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, will address the crowd. The Kerry campaign and the Democratic Party organized the event. About 200 vets are expected, said Laura Capps, from the Kerry campaign.
“Our goal is to mobilize 1 million veterans nationally,” Capps said. “They’ve all seen what this administration has done to veteran benefits in the past few years.”
On Thursday, two other events are planned.
At 3 p.m. in front of the convention center, members of the Spokane Regional Labor Council will talk about local people hurt by the failed effort to extend temporary unemployment benefits by the federal government for 13 weeks.
They will most likely be serving macaroni and cheese dubbed “gold-plated chicken,” said Kay McGlocklin, spokeswoman for the council. While the event is during the work day, she expects some unemployed workers, especially affected by the expired benefits, to attend.
“We work hard. Most of the labor people don’t make a lot of money and then you cut their benefits. It was a slap in the face,” McGlocklin said. “Working families are struggling.”
At 5 p.m. Thursday, the Washington State Democrats will host a rally called “Burgers Against Bush.”
“We’re going to have simpler fare but more fun,” said Kirstin Brost, spokeswoman for the state Democrats. “It’s a chance for regular folks to get together and have a good time.”
Nelson, who has organized protests against other presidents such as the elder George Bush and Ronald Reagan, said all indications point to heavy crowds of protesters for Thursday’s visit. They will begin gathering at 4 p.m.
“We’re not trying to focus on one issue,” Nelson said. Anyone wanting to voice concern about Iraq, the economy, benefits or the environment will be welcome, Nelson said.