Hundreds Unwelcome 'Not Our President' Bush in San Jose

San Jose, California (April 21, 2006) – Hundreds unwelcome “Not Our President” Bush on rare visit to California. The rally was confined to a protest zone a couple of blocks from Bush’s short route from helipad to Cisco Systems. Organized by the South Bay Mobilization, the rally gave voice to a wide range of dissent ranging from Native Americans angry at government cuts to urban health care programs, to labor unions, to of course endless war and occupation. Iranian-American activists mobilized to oppose any US intervention in Iran - while also opposing the Iranian theocratic regime. Youth activists with the World Can’t Wait (to Drive Out the Bush Regime) campaign joined the Raging Grannies on many chants to keep the rally spirited.

Toward the end of the rally, a half dozen Muslim youth gathered to pray a block from the protest zone. As the street was blocked off to traffic, the youth laid out make-shirt prayer mats in the bike lane and began their prayer ritual. Within moments, San Jose Police had them surrounded, and those that were not passive enough during questioning found themselves hand cuffed. Most were finally released at the scene of the crime after being issued tickets for jay-walking and obstructing traffic (again, this street was closed to traffic at the time).

War on the world? Attacks on Immigrants? Police State Restrictions? Not in Our Name.