Burning Bush in Johnstown

The Bush campaign descended upon Johnstown on the afternoon of Thursday, September 9.  The normally quiet town sits on the southwestern edge of central Pennsylvania, an area often referred to as the “Alabama” between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.  It was standing room only for the president’s appearance at the city’s largest indoor venue, appropriately named the War Memorial Arena.  But the real story was outside, in the streets.

With only about 48-hours notice, residents of this conservative enclave organized a loud and spirited “unwelcoming committee.”  Some 250 to 300 protesters filled the street across from the War Memorial, chanting anti-Bush and anti-war slogans, as the rubes filed in to see and hear the “Liar-in-Chief.”

The protest was the result of an ad-hoc collaboration among such diverse groups as Citizens for Social Responsibility (CSR), United Steelworkers of America, Service Employees International, other union locals, the Cambria County Green Party, the Kerry campaign and many others.

The marched stepped off at 2:30 PM, from a hastily activated Kerry campaign headquarters about 4 blocks from the Arena.  Kerry signs were abundant, as were many of the homemade variety: “Bush Lied – Thousands Died,” “4 More Wars,” “No More Years,” etc.  Also in evidence were “Wanted” posters, bearing Bush’s picture and declaring, “Wanted: for Election Fraud & Crimes Against Humanity.”

Bush didn’t arrive until about 4:45 PM, but looking east, toward the Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, one could see an ominous storm cloud looming, foreshadowing his arrival.  In Johnstown proper, the sun shone and there were many heated but peaceful exchanges between protesters and those waiting in line to enter the Arena (like all Bush events, ticket holders were carefully screened to assure a friendly crowd and the illusion of popular support).

A minor scuffle broke out about half an hour before Bush’s arrival, when Secret Service agents attempted to force the crowd back to a position farther east of the War Memorial.  Chants of “Who’s Streets? – Our Streets!” quickly went up, and the protesters held their ground.

One participant, Larry Blalock, Coordinator (senior officer) of CSR, tried to get around the security perimeter and was promptly grabbed by uniformed SS agents, who attempted, without success, to wrestle him to the ground.  The crowd quickly surged toward Blalock and his attackers chanting, “Let Him Go! Let Him Go!”  Then a man in a suit, obviously someone of authority, barked, “Stop! Stop!” to the agents, then, “Let Him Go!” and Blalock was released.

In the end, the Secret Service only managed to move the crowd back about 10 feet.

Bush arrived, polluted the air in the Arena for about 45 minutes, then left without further incident.

A few protesters remained to see to it that Bush’s exit was every bit as inhospitable as his arrival.

It was a great day for democracy here in Johnstown.  Bush was shown that even here in “Alabama, PA,” his racist, anti-worker, anti-civil liberties, war-mongering politics of fear will always be met with resistance.

During his speech, Bush hinted that he may return to Johnstown sometime before the election.  From the good people of Johnstown, and in his own words, “Bring it on.”

- Guy T. Anthony is Chair of the Cambria County Green Party and a member of Citizens for Social Responsibility, Johnstown.


An old soldier laments the senseless loss of his young successors.
(Photo by Loraine Bezy, Chameleon Books, Johnstown)