Students protest, support President Bush in Macon

Opponents and supporters of President George W. Bush clashed outside the Macon Coliseum on Oct. 10, as the President spoke in support of the 8th District Republican candidate Mac Collins.
The 8th District Chair representative for the Young Democrats of Georgia, Ekow Acquah, led a group supporting Jim Marshall, running as the democratic candidate for the district.
“Collins will support Bush 100 percent of the time on energy, foreign policy and education and we don’t need that rubber stamp,” Acquah said.  In contrast, Acquah called Marshall, “a good conservative democrat.”
The protesters and supporters represented a diverse group of citizens. Long-time voters Larry and Sherry Biddle of Warm Springs came with the specific mission of leaving a legacy of activism for their children and grandchildren.
“I am here because it means that much to me to make sure (young people) get it,” Biddle said.
The Biddles’ hope is that the next generation of voters will learn from example the importance of political involvement.
As police officers blocked off rear access to the Coliseum and a caravan of black vehicles pulled into the parking lot, opposing sides exchanged words, aided by close proximity and raised voices. Tensions ran high between several protesters who argued over the ethics of the war in Iraq.
Bush’s war endeavors were not the only issues represented on posters and banners outside of the Coliseum. Other issues included abortion rights, commonly overlooked global issues, imperialism, and the United States’ dependency on foreign oil.
Several college students wore “pro-choice” t-shirts. Johnna Terrel, a freshman theater major at the University of West Georgia was one of them.  “I would like the government to stay out of my body,” Terrel said.  “I would like them to stay out of my life, and I would like them to help people that need it instead of killing the innocent.”
Biddle also commented on the topic of abortion, comparing it to the war.
“The Republican Party is against abortion, so why don’t they stop full-grown abortion and stop sending 18 year old kids off to war and killing them?” Biddle said.
Students from Macon State College assembled to address the statistic that the young voting population is shifting republican. They fear that a more republican nation will forget the lower classes and vote for more wars.
Those who supported Bush crowded together with posters and banners reading “Welcome Mr. President.” They came to show support for Bush, whose popularity has declined in recent years.
 “We should let the President know someone cares, someone is still behind (him),” said Marie Nottingham, a sophomore at First Presbyterian Day School.
Robin Crosby, also a Bush supporter, expressed distaste for some of the anti-Bush protesters signs and chants.
 “Kids are being taught respect, respect for the office,” Crosby said, pointing to several small children who looked curiously at signs declaring President Bush a murderer and two people dressed mockingly as the President and Vice-President Cheney
“We may not like the President, but we should respect him,” Crosby said.
While protesters from both sides inched toward the strict police line, tensions ran high and people voiced their views loudly via megaphone. Those present were cooperative with authority, and though they disagreed, they maintained an atmosphere of ardent non-violence.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 20 2006. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry