As they say:
Deal with it!
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Inaugural Demonstrators Arrested
WASHINGTON (AP) - In a preview of what may come on
Inauguration Day, police arrested three protesters Thursday
after two of them dangled outside the third floor of the Interior
Department with a huge banner opposed to the new Bush
administration's environmental policies.
The protest by Greenpeace-USA activists came on the
opening day of confirmation hearings for Interior
Secretary-designate Gale Norton. Members of the group have
expressed concern that Norton would allow energy exploration
in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Two of the men used ropes and pulleys to lower themselves
outside the third floor of the department's headquarters,
unfurling a red-white-and- blue banner which read ``Bush and
Norton: Our Land, Not Oil Land!''
After 45 minutes, the activists lowered themselves to the street
and surrendered peacefully. Police arrested a third on the
roof.
Craig Culp, 41, of Baltimore, Bob Lyon, 30, of Chicago, and
Pat Keys, 26, of Washington, have been charged with
disorderly conduct, which carries a fine of up to $50.
Anticipating the largest inaugural demonstrator presence
since tens of thousands marched against the Vietnam War in
1973, an army of law enforcement officers representing 16
agencies has added new twists to their usual precautions for
President-elect Bush's swearing-in at the Capitol and the
inaugural parade route to the White House.
For the first time, people attending the parade will have to
pass through police and Secret Service checkpoints and have
their bags searched. Demonstrators will be allowed to bring
signs, but not the puppets or stilts used in recent protests,
Secret Service spokesman Jim Mackin said.
U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler was scheduled to hear
arguments Thursday from demonstrators seeking an injunction
against the security plans. The demonstrators contend that the
16 checkpoints and other restrictions are unconstitutional and
not intended to protect Bush so much from harm as from
embarrassment.
Other demonstrators intended to get an early start by
protesting during the inaugural opening ceremonies at the
Lincoln Memorial Thursday. Elsewhere in Washington, a
group advocating housing for the homeless planned to march.
Protests are planned by scores of groups advocating causes
ranging from civil rights to the death penalty. Many had
planned to demonstrate regardless of who won the election.
They will be joined by people still angry over the contested
election and those upset with Bush's policies or Cabinet
nominees.
Law enforcement officials fret because many of the probable
demonstrators took part in recent protests that led to violence
and hundreds of arrests.
``They can do whatever as long it doesn't get out of hand and
doesn't interfere with the procession and doesn't jeopardize
the safety and security of those coming to watch the event or
those participating in the event,'' D.C. Police Chief Charles
Ramsey said. ``We'll be as gentle or as forceful as we need to
be.''
Ramsey said 500,000 to 700,000 people were expected to
attend the day's events.
Protest organizers, who say their turnout may exceed 20,000,
blame police for past conflicts and say they plan no civil
disobedience for Saturday.
Panes of 2-inch-thick bulletproof glass were installed
Wednesday on a platform erected outside the Capitol's West
Front, where more than 1,000 dignitaries will join Bush for the
inauguration. Photographers invited for an advance look said
stairwells covered in bulletproof material had been built on
either side of where Bush will stand.
Lt. Dan Nichols, a spokesman for the U.S. Capitol Police,
would not discuss platform security other than that the 70,000
invited guests who will watch from the Capitol's lawn will be
screened by metal detectors and have their bags searched.
Another 300,000 spectators are expected to watch from the
National Mall, after clearing less stringent security
checkpoints. The National Park Service has erected about
five miles of 6-foot-high, chain-link fence along the Mall and
around the Lincoln Memorial. That type of fencing never has
been used so extensively for an inauguration, spokesman
Earle Kittleman said.
The Secret Service, responsible for coordinating law
enforcement agencies involved, will have most of its 2,800
agents and 1,100 uniformed officers on duty, spokesman
Marc Connolly said.
As with past inaugurations, the agency will position observers
and sharpshooters on rooftops, he said. Along the parade
route, manhole covers will be sealed and mailboxes, potential
hiding places for bombs, will be removed.
The entire 3,600-person D.C. police force will be on duty and
1,600 officers from other jurisdictions - mainly Maryland and
Virginia - will line the two-mile parade route. Additional
officers may be brought in from Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Mint police force, D.C. police spokesman Sgt. Joe Gentile
said.
About 4,500 military personnel also are expected to
participate, with about 1,500 lining the parade route. Their role
is ceremonial.
The U.S. Park Police will have about 650 officers, including 40
on horseback. Another 1,200 officers with the Capitol Police
also will be on duty.
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On the Net:
Armed Forces Inaugural Committee: afic.army.mil
Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies:
inaugural.senate.gov
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