Turn Your Back On Bush (Leftists Planning To Sabotage Bush 6-14 Speech)

On June 14, at the Ohio State University, demonstrate your opposition to the Bush Administration's undemocratic policies:

Now's your chance to show that YOU don't approve of this President

- That YOU don't approve of his reckless environmental policies or coziness with big oil.

- That YOU don't approve of a "war on terror" that includes eradicating civil liberties and investigating/monitoring innocent Americans, including legal, law abiding immigrants, without probable cause.

- That YOU don't approve of the existing American foreign policy in the middle east.

- That YOU don't approve of the administration's close ties to Enron.

- That YOU don't approve of election fraud.

And that YOU don't approve of one of the most inarticulate and divisive Presidents in American history speaking at one of the most important events in YOUR history.

Stand up for:
-the restoration of democracy -the environment -civil liberties -quality and accessible education -constructive international relations -sensible defense policies -the rule of law, NOT rule of money -women's rights -GLBT rights -disability rights -native burial rights -cultural diversity -workers' rights -living wages -social welfare

WHAT TO DO:
For starters, if you're a graduate or a guest, just remember to stand up silently and "turn your back" while Bush gives his commencement address. It's that simple.

This is a form of protest based on the principles of Satyagraha -- nonviolent noncooperation with evil -- used by the Mahatma Gandhi and later by Martin Luther King, Jr.. Please remember it is important that you stay silent and do not resist arrest even if you've done nothing wrong (the charges will most likely be dropped, it is just a convenient way to detain you). If you must sit down, turn your chair around or sit in the chair backwards, to indicate your objection to the Bush regime.

For others, spread the word. Crowds mean media attention. And we need media attention- Lots of it. Encourage everyone, your friends and family, fellow students, anyone, to participate.

Read below for explicit instructions and important dates.

News Release - June 6, 2002
"OSU students, alumni, and community activists will Protest the Endless War, Defend Democracy, and Stand Up for Civil Liberties by holding a sunrise ceremony, a rally, street theater, and an alternative commencement. Graduates will decorate their mortarboards with Peace Signs and other symbols to express oppositions to the Bush administration's foreign and domestic policy." read the full text

WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

Wednesday, June 12th, 7pm - flyering at the rehearsal of the 10th Annual African American Farewell Celebration at Independence Hall, 1923 Neil Ave.

Thursday, June 13th, 9am-noon - flyering at practice graduation at French Field House. Graduates who want a peace sign on their mortar board caps, bring it, and volunteers will assist you.

Thursday, June 13th, 7pm - flyering at the 10th Annual African American Farewell Celebration at Independence Hall and at the reception at The Frank W. Hale, Jr. Black Cultural Center, 153 West 12th Ave., <http://oma.ohio-state.edu/hale/newsite/home.html>.

Thursday, June 13th, 8pm - Banner making at Moritz Law College on the corner of 12th & High St. (west side) Banner material and paint will be provided. You just need to bring a friend and creative banner slogans!!!

Friday, June 14th - Sunrise demonstration begins at 6AM, Jesse Owens Plaza, just north of the stadium. Check back for more info.

Check back for more information or email questions/comments to:
info@turnyourbackonbush.com

Brought to you by a coalition of concerned students, graduates, alumni, faculty, staff, guests, and community members in and around the Ohio State University.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - President Bush urged America's new college graduates on Friday to respond to the challenges of terrorism and war by making "a culture of service" a permanent part of American life.

Delivering the commencement address before 5,500 Ohio State University graduates and degree recipients, Bush renewed the effort begun after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to involve millions of Americans in purposeful community service.

"Service is not a chain or a chore - it gives direction to your gifts and purpose to your freedom," Bush said.

While skeptics believe the spirit of idealism engendered by the Sept. 11 attacks is fading, America's young people have the opportunity to determine whether that spirit is "the break of a wave or the rise of a tide," Bush told the audience gathered at Ohio Stadium.

"You will determine whether we become a culture of selfishness and look inward - or whether we will embrace a culture of service and look outward," the president said.

Bush said he is confident of the results.

"Your class and generation understand that the responsibility which begins in your life must extend to your nation," he said. "And so you will make a culture of service a permanent part of American life."

"By sharing the pain of a friend, or bearing the hopes of a child, or defending the liberty of your fellow citizens you will gain satisfaction that cannot be gained in any other way," Bush said.

Bush, who received an honorary doctor of public administration degree during the ceremonies, announced a new clearinghouse feature of the USA Freedom Corps Website. It will allow Americans to type in their zip code and, via links to more than 20,000 service organizations, instantly identify volunteer opportunities just "minutes away from their homes," said Freedom Corps director John Bridgeland.

After the graduation ceremonies, Bush was continuing on to Houston to highlight, by visiting a summer reading camp, the kinds of things volunteers can do.

While in Houston, he was also raising $1.2 million for Gov. Rick Perry's re-election campaign and another $500,000 for the Texas state GOP.

In Ohio, the graduates and more than 55,000 family members and friends listened as Bush spoke of the importance of volunteerism, and opportunities for service offered by the USA Freedom Corps, the Peace Corps and other organizations.

The White House touted the speech as the president's first to a graduating class at a civilian university since Sept. 11. He addressed the class of 2002 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on June 1.

Bush was invited to speak at the Ohio State commencement by representatives of the graduating class. But immediately before class members filed into the giant football stadium, an announcer instructed the crowd that all the university's speakers deserve to be treated with respect and that anyone demonstrating or heckling would be subject to expulsion and arrest. The announcer urged that Bush be greeted with a "thunderous" ovation.

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-->	DOWNLOAD FLYERS to print, copy and distribute: (you will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and download PDF files) 1/4 page flyer [about 50k] \| 1/8 page flyer [about 300k]
-->	PLEASE CHALK on the OSU Campus: "Turn Your Back on Bush, Fri., 6/14, www.turnyourbackonbush.com" (do NOT use paint or any hard-to-erase pigment).
-->	DECORATE YOUR MORTAR BOARD with a peace sign: if hundreds of graduates have white peace signs on their caps, it will be very visually striking. to view an example and instructions.