North San Jose Turned Into Police State for Bush 2's Visit

San Jose, California (April 21, 2006) – There was a strong police presence in North San Jose as Bush 2 paid a visit to Cisco's offices. In order to "protect" Bush 2 from the population which he supposedly serves, police officers in squad cars, on motorcycles, on horseback, and wielding batons kept a group of peaceful protesters at bay.

Corralled in their "free speech zone" the protesters were out of sight of Bush 2's motorcade. I was unable to see the President arrive. I was told by an employee of Cisco, informed by a San Jose police officer, that Bush 2's motorcade came West down 237, exited Zanker Rd., heading South, crossing E. Tasman Drive. From here, according this account, the motorcade entered Cisco's parking lot via a driveway just North of Center Road. Since the protest was kept in an area on the North side of E. Tasman Dr., West of Morgridge Way, near Cisco Way, it was impossible for protesters to even see the motorcade arrive. Our only clue to its arrival was a sudden increase in police presence. I have included pictures of the police presence, surrounding the protest area.

Our only glimpse of the President in transport was as he left via military helicopter. A man of the people Bush proved he is not. The location of this “free speech zone” made a mockery of our first amendment right “of the people peaceable to assemble.” However, the protesters should be proud that they held their heads high and forced Bush 2 to sneak into Cisco, through the back door.

As you view these photographs of the police presence, keep in mind that this was all for a peaceful protest, trapped in a "free speech zone" beyond eye-sight of the motorcade. Are we being protected from our first amendment right to assembly? All of this in a city where high school students bring blank paper to class for extra credit, because their schools cannot afford to supply it themselves.