Entrance Denied

7-19-01
San Francisco

“Medea Benjamin is on her way…just a heads up.”
(Police officer to Commonwealth Club employee fifteen minutes before she showed up)

Photo: Medea Benjamin of Global Exchange & the Green Party denied entry to Henry Kissinger’s talk at the Fairmont Hotel.
At least one other person was denied entry simply because they were seen talking to Medea.

Henry Kissinger came to town to sell his new book and got a special San Francisco welcome.
Dozens of protesters held signs and yelled “Henry Kissinger you can’t hide - we charge you with gen-o-cide”.

Security was tight for the event held in the grand ballroom of the Fairmont Hotel.
As the event began a woman was arrested at the entrance to the ballroom after she loudly accused Kissinger of being a war criminal.
The ballroom lobby was cleared for Kissinger’s talk.
All those without tickets were escorted out by the SFPD.

An employee of the Commonwealth Club (the sponsors of the event) tried to make me feel better after I was denied “Press” entrance by telling me that:
“Security is really tight...we have to be careful because at a previous event the CEO of Enron got a pie in the face… (http://www.indybay.org/display.php3?article_id=101403)
and…half the club employees think that Kissinger is going to get killed during this event.”

How relaxed can Henry be these days?