Activists Disrupt Bush Inauguration Ceremony

Democracy Now! takes to the streets of Washington DC to speak with protesters, who faced off against the massive security apparatus deployed in the nation's capital, as well as supporters of President Bush's second inauguration.

Amid the massive security operation in Washington DC for the inauguration, thousands of people marched through the capital to demonstrate their opposition to a wide range of policies of the Bush administration, particularly the occupation of Iraq. Many thousands more made it onto the actual parade route and held antiwar signs. Some people turned their backs as Bush's motorcade passed by. In addition to the disruption of the inauguration just before Bush was sworn in, there was at least one other action during the ceremony. Activists from CODEPINK were detained by police after they chanted during Bush's speech. Meanwhile, in the streets outside the parade route, activists faced off against a sizable police presence. A number of times throughout the day, police fired chemical agents at demonstrators and beat people with metal whip-like canes. Democracy Now! camera crews were on the streets. Here is some of the action.

* Protesters speaking on the streets of Washington DC.

Thousands of Bush supporters were waiting in long security lines to get onto the parade grounds. In a number of cases, men in cowboy hats and women in mink fur coats were fully immersed in crowds of young activists - mainly Black Bloc - wearing bandanas on their faces. The activists forced the closure of at least 2 entry points leaving many Bush supporters out of the parade. We talked with some of these stranded Bush supporters in the streets outside of the inaugural parade.

* Supporters of President Bush speaking outside of the inaugural parade.

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We hear a speech by former U.S. attorney general Ramsey Clark, speaking at an anti-inauguration protest staged by the A.N.S.W.E.R. coalition at John Marshall Park in Washington DC. Some 10,000 demonstrators converged on Washington DC to protest the presidential inauguration of George Bush amid the tightest security in inaugural history.

Protesters marched in a demonstration through Malcolm X park that ended in a "die-in." Thousands more lined the parade route holding signs accusing Bush of war crimes, calling for the end of the Iraq war and turning their backs on the presidential motorcade.

Members of the Black Bloc also successfully blocked many Bush supporters from reaching their seats after they forced the police to shut down two entry points to the seating area. Police reported making 14 arrests during the inauguration celebrations but targeted many more people with pepper spray.

The A.N.S.W.E.R. coalition secured a permit to stage a counter-inauguration protest at John Marshall Park, which lasted throughout the day. It was the first time in inaugural history that the antiwar movement was able to have bleachers, a stage, and a sound system for a mass antiwar demonstration directly on the parade route. Dozens of speakers took to the stage throughout the day. Among them, was former US attorney General, Ramsey Clark.

* Ramsey Clark, former U.S. Attorney General, speaking at the A.N.S.W.E.R. Inauguration Protest, January 20, 2005.

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We hear an address by Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) speaking out against the Bush administration at an anti-inauguration protest staged by the A.N.S.W.E.R. coalition. Among the many speakers at the counter-inauguration protest at John Marshall Park yesterday was Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. McKinney won back her seat last fall after losing a re-election bid two years ago when she came under fierce attack for her support for Palestinian rights, and her early call for a 9/11 investigation of the Bush Administration. This is what she had to say.

* Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA), speaking at the A.N.S.W.E.R. Inauguration Protest, January 20, 2005.

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http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/01/21/1531236

Democracy Now! correspondent Jeremy Scahill reports on two undercover officers dressed like activists, wearing Arab neck scarves, who arrested a demonstrator. The security apparatus for the inauguration was unprecedented. More than 7,000 law enforcement officers from over 100 different agencies were deployed on the streets and throughout the DC area. There were also National Guard and Army officers at various checkpoints throughout the parade grounds. There were also undercover police, some of whom were dressed like protesters. Democracy Now! correspondent Jeremy Scahill reports on two undercover officers dressed like activists, wearing Arab neck scarves, who arrested a demonstrator.

* Jeremy Scahill, Democracy Now! producer and coresspondent.

LISTEN ONLINE (with a pic of the arraest)
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/01/21/1531230

Members of Military Families Speak Out and veterans of the Iraq invasion and occupation gathered at National City Christian Church in Washington DC to remember the over 1,300 U.S. soldiers and the more than 100,000 Iraqis killed in the invasion and occupation of Iraq. We hear the words of two mothers whose sons died in Iraq: Celeste Zappala and Cindy Sheehan. While many of Bush's supporters spoke in glowing terms about the occupation of Iraq, there was a very different and more somber mood at National City Christian Church in Washington. Last night, members of Military Families Speak Out and veterans of the Iraq invasion and occupation gathered at an "Eyes Wide Open" event. On the steps of the church were scores of Army boots commemorating the more than 1,300 US soldiers who have died in Iraq. Inside the church there were hundreds more boots. There were also hundreds of pairs of civilian shoes, representing the more than 100,0000 Iraqis killed since the invasion began.

At the rally, family members of soldiers killed in Iraq spoke out against war to protest George Bush's second inauguration. Among them was Celeste Zappala, mother of Sherwood Baker who was killed in Baghdad in April 2004.

* Celeste Zappala, mother of slain soldier Sherwood Baker speaking at the "Eyes Wide Open" anti-inauguration rally in Washington DC.
* Cindy Sheehan, whose son Casey was killed in Iraq last April.

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http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/01/21/1531225