Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Miles from the Mainstream
D. R. ZUKERMAN, proprietor
A Democratic Mainstream Protest?

MAY 1, 2006 --

United for Peace and Justice organized a protest against the Bush administration in lower Manhattan April 29.

LPR took photographs of the demonstrators, said to include Susan Sarandon, Chevy Chase, and Oscar-winning director Jonathan Demme, as they assembled just north of Union Square.

The demonstration was to march down Broadway to Foley Square where the "Peace and Justice Grassroots Action Festival" in Foley Square was to be held. (LPR did not attend the march or festival.)

The photos indicate strong anti-Bush feeling. LPR saw no signs denouncing Muslim terrorism or belligerent statements from Iran's leaders -- just signs denouncing President Bush as a "war monger" among other things, and calling for his impeachment, and imprisonment.

LPR also noticed a group suggesting that the World Trade Center did not collapse because of the impact of the planes --
suggesting the tragedy should compared to a planned demolition.


LPR noticed this poster suggesting that the 9-11 collapse was a planned demolition.


LPR did not see any signs demanding the removal of U.S. troops from, say, Bosnia, nor any signs suggesting that our military is fighting in Iraq to protect our liberties, including freedom to denounce our
president.

A block from the starting point of the march -- at the Park Avenue side of Union Square Park, people spent the clear, sunny morning, browsing through a farmers' market. The sky, this April 29th. was as clear and blue as it was September 11, 2001.


The farmers market is at the northeast corner of Union Square Park -- the march was to begin on Broadway at the northwest corner of Union Square Park.


LPR Note: All photos were taken as the demonstrators assembled -- before the march proceeded down Broadway
to Foley Square (a block north of
Chambers Street) -- site of state and federal court buildings.

 

A "Bring Our Troops Home Now" Banner


The Empire State Building stand tall in the background while the group of demonstrators show their "anti-Bush" feelings.


Demonstrators make their views known.


This sign took a more artistic approach to make their point.


Part of the large crowd gathers and prepares for the march.


Protesting handling of Iran and the Katrina …


LPR saw this "War Monger" sign among the many signs present.