Bush in Canada. Lotta Protests.

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5,000 protesters? Ottawa has a population of about 60,000. A lot of people must have come from out of town, like Toronto and Montreal.

A very Canadian protest


By SUE BAILEY
Canadian Press E-mail this Article
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Ottawa — As outraged protest goes, it was a very Canadian affair.

The biggest demonstration Tuesday against U.S. President George W. Bush was a mostly peaceful, almost festival-like day of bongo drumming and whistle blowing.

It ended with a candlelight vigil that transformed Parliament Hill into a small sea of twinkling lights.

Television images focused on a brief clash between a few demonstrators and riot police, but the vast majority of marchers were upbeat in their disdain for Bush.

Not that at least 5,000 protesters — organizers said it was more like 13,000 — didn't make their point. They vented their opposition to the war in Iraq and the prospect of Canada's participation in a U.S. missile-defence shield.

But most were at their rudest when they crafted placards like the one that said: A Village in Texas has Lost Its Idiot.

Another featured four images of Mr. Bush's face that simply said: Moron.

The President took it all in stride as he started his two-day visit to Canada, his first foray north.

A tiny group of supporters who tried to cheer the President as he arrived on Parliament Hill was drowned out by shouts of “Bush go home.”

Still, Mr. Bush said he wanted to “thank the few Canadians who came out to wave — with all five fingers — for their hospitality.”

A few demonstrators fought with police after protesters stormed metal barricades.

Scuffles broke out as dozens of police in riot gear and gas masks used shields to hold back the surging crowd. Protesters were knocked to the ground and 10 people were arrested. A firecracker set off by one of the demonstrators was at first mistaken for tear gas.

The incident occurred outside the posh Chateau Laurier Hotel where some of the Mr. Bush entourage was staying.

Some threw placards, sticks, pumpkins and water bottles at police. Several tactical officers were covered in red paint.

The stand-offs marred a day of peaceful protests that culminated with the “toppling” of a five-metre papier mâché likeness of Mr. Bush on Parliament Hill.

The stunt, mimicking a familiar image from the Iraq War when a statue of Saddam Hussein was brought down, followed a mock eulogy as people shouted “Bush go home” and “We don't want war.”

Demonstrators said Mr. Bush was wrong to invade Iraq without United Nations backing.

“He's a warmonger — I think he should get out of Iraq,” said Jeanette Pole of the Raging Grannies. The singing protest group is known for its gingham dresses and offbeat hats.

Ottawa resident Heidi Petersen brought her two children in a stroller to teach them the importance of free speech.

“I brought my kids because I want (them) to learn what this freedom is that we're exercising today,” she said, as Felipe, 5, and Capitu, 2, watched the crowd.

A counter rally supporting Mr. Bush was organized by Free Dominion, a group that hails the United States as Canada's greatest ally and trading partner.

But most marchers taunted the President.

A group of young women from Montreal, calling themselves the Radical Cheerleaders, shook homemade pom-poms and chanted their anti-Bush repertoire. One “cheer” ended with the line:

“He wants to start a new arms race, putting his weapons in outer space. (He's an) intergalactic super war criminal!”

A young man encased in masking tape and calling himself the Mummy of Montreal stagger-stepped through the throng. Music by Bob Marley and Neil Young blared from loudspeakers as people openly smoked marijuana.

The crowd roared when Michael Mandel of Lawyers Against the War talked of the estimated 100,000 Iraqis who have died since the U.S. invasion.

“This isn't a President,” he said. “This is a homicidal maniac.”

Demonstrations were held in other centres across Canada:

In Halifax, where Mr. Bush visits on Wednesday, a small protest was held at the offices of SNC-Lavalin.

Members of the Halifax Peace Coalition handed out leaflets that said the company was manufacturing munitions used by the U.S. in Iraq, and held up photographs of children injured in that war.

A spokeswoman for the Montreal-based firm said the company can't comment on whether its bullets are used in Iraq.

Organizers are expecting several thousand people at a protest when Mr. Bush speaks at the Halifax waterfront.

The demonstrators will be kept behind barricades about 100 metres from the building.

In Charlottetown, a peaceful group of about 40 gathered outside historic Province House, the birthplace of Confederation, to declare opposition to the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

In Vancouver, protesters pulled down a statue of Mr. Bush.

An organizer told the crowd that welcoming Mr. Bush makes no sense just because the U.S. is Canada's most important trading partner.

Gail Davidson, of Lawyers Against the War, filed criminal charges against Mr. Bush for aiding in torture in Iraq. B.C.'s Attorney-General would have to approve the charges.

Protesters in Edmonton also focused their anger on the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

“I'm disgusted by (Prime Minister Paul) Martin just being buddy-buddy with Mr. Bush.” said Laura Hudelson, 30