Please join our huge protest against the Bush visit to Tampa

Written by: Michael Fox on Sep 16, 2006 3:02 AM EDT

George W. Bush, C.W. Bill Young, and other members of the Florida GOP delegation will hold a fundraiser for Congressional Candidate Gus Bilirakis (Phyllis' opponent) at the Raymond James Football Stadium, Tampa on Thursday September 21, 2006 from 11 AM to 1 PM

Ironically, this is also the United Nations International Peace Day, so we urge DFA Tampa Bay members to take the time off and come onto the public sidewalks surrounding Raymond James Stadium to protest these promoters of the war machine.

Join with Pinellas Progressive Democrats, Tampa Chapter of the Sierra Club, Tampa Bay Veterans For Peace, Gold Star Families Speak Out, Florida Coalition for Peace and Justice, Nature Coast Coalition for Peace and Justice, Code Pink, Military Families Speak Out, St. Pete For Peace, Food Not Bombs, the Sun Coast Peace Education Group, the Refuge, and other labor, immigrant and environmental groups as we stand in solidarity against the GOP War Machine.

Not into the peace movement? How about protesting the fact that this little partisan political trip is costing huge money being paid by every federal tax payer, as well as the tax payers of greater Tampa! Let George II know that his Republican friends who can pony up $1,000-$2,100 per ticket for this event should be the ones paying for the whole trip -- not the American/Tampa tax payer!

Bring along a musical instrument or noisemaker of your choice and your voice to chant and let the anti-war, anti-elitist message be heard. Lets make George and his supporters feel the pressure of our presence throughout his stay at the fund raiser. Let's make him feel as surrounded as our GI's in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Please arrive by 9-9:30 am and we will begin walking down the sidewalks to the entrance of the stadium on W. Tampa Bay Blvd., so that we are stationed by 10 AM; an hour before the president's arrival to avoid being left behind roadblocks and have our signs, banners and noisemakers ready.

Parking is available at the K-Mart at Columbus and Himes Road. Map: maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=...+and+hines&csz=Tampa%2C+FL&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=

You can drop off friends at the ABC-TV Station and park at the Mart and walk or ride back up with a shuttle provided by the Refuge of St Petersburg.

You can also park on nearby streets east of Himes Rd, but avoid blocking driveways, parking on grass, or on private property.

For those who may be newbies to protesting:

1. Try to be friendly towards all whom we may encounter. You can chant and sing. Use reason and moderation in response to both good and bad hecklers.

2. Avoid confrontation and maintain an air of calm, dignity and peacefulness.

3. Violence, belligerent behavior, weapons, drugs or alcohol will not be tolerated.

4. Please use caution in traffic. Be courteous in giving the right of way to all pedestrian and motor traffic.

For more information, call (727) 320-4502 and ask for Mike Fox.

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Location: Tampa, FL 33618