On April 11 [the day of President Bush’s visit to Iowa], I walked on the sidewalk on Grand Avenue across the street from Wesley Acres carrying an “Impeach Bush” sign.
After the president arrived, Polk County officers told the spectators that the Secret Service wanted us to move east, away from the corner. We did.
A few minutes later the officers told us that the Secret Service wanted us to move back from the curb to the sidewalk. We did.
A few minutes later the officers told us that the Secret Service wanted us to move east to the next block. Some of us argued that this was the third contradictory instruction in five minutes.
Immediately the sergeant called for help on his radio. In moments an SUV arrived and four SWAT officers got out to confront us. They were wearing body armor and carrying assault weapons, although they did not point the weapons at the crowd. We were told “move or we will move you.” An 80-year-old man sitting in a lawn chair in his own front yard was told to move to the next block or go inside his house.
The president’s visit had been carefully planned, and it would have been simple for authorities to string yellow tape in advance, clearly marking areas where spectators were allowed.
— John Ousterhout, Windsor Heights.
attribution
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