Protestors reign over Bush coronation

For many Americans, Inauguration Day is an elaborate ceremony held to acknowledge their country’s new president. In the past, I sat by passively as presidents were sworn in as the holders of America's highest office. This Inauguration Day was different. This Inauguration Day, I joined with thousands of others in Washington, DC to protest the illegitimate “election� of George W. Bush.

For many Americans, Inauguration Day is an elaborate ceremony held to acknowledge their country’s new president. In the past, I sat by passively as presidents were sworn in as the holders of America's highest office. This Inauguration Day was different. This Inauguration Day, I joined with thousands of others in Washington, DC to protest the illegitimate “election� of George W. Bush.

As the city streets teemed with rush hour traffic on the evening of Jan. 19, nearly 200 concerned Chicagoans embarked upon a 16-hour bus trip to our nation’s capital. I was on the journey with representatives from the International Action Center, the AIDS activist group ACT UP, the Young Communist League and a myriad of other organizations.

On the ride, I discovered that each person’s motivations for protesting Bush's victory proved just as varied as their organizational affiliations. Some came to condemn the imminent destruction of virgin Alaskan forest under Bush's corporate-driven environmental policies; others came to remind the nation of the hundreds Bush put to death while Governor of Texas; still others came to voice their disgust at the nomination of former Senator John Ashcroft to the post of attorney general.

The most fervent of protests came from those who were outraged at the racist and anti-Semetic tactics used in Florida to steal the election. Amid all this diversityof opinion, there was a common desire to confront the incoming right-wing establishment and resist its power.

The inherent dangers of a Bush administration inspired people across generational, racial and class lines to hit the streets and resist. One older gentleman with whom I spoke had served in the military and was in DC to challenge Bush's widely-denounced school voucher program. Another man in his early 60’s mentioned the similarities between this inauguration ceremony and that of Richard M. Nixon, at which he demonstrated 28 years ago.

Once in DC, I had to decide which anti-inaugural activity to attend, since many groups had organized rallies and marches throughout the area. Activity began to brew along Pennsylvania Avenue–the planned route of the inaugural parade–around three in the afternoon. The police guarding the route changed from their street uniforms into riot gear, anticipating a violent rush as Bush’s car drove by. The crowd raised chants, ranging from the meaningful "Gay, straight, black, white– same struggle, same fight!" to the comedic "Oh no, Gore's ahead! Better call my brother Jeb!�

Our common voice surged to such a volume that Secret Service agents shut down a microphone booth near us, for fear that our shouts would be broadcast to the entire world.

Like my fellow protesters, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment upon leaving Washington DC that Saturday evening. We had all come to show George W. Bush that he cannot expect the next four years to pass by calmly.

From the very first day of his presidency to the last, everyone committed to an equitable America for all, regardless of class, race, gender, or sexual orientation, promised Mr. Bush that we would confront any action that threatened our freedom.