Hundreds Protest As Bush Visits MLK Tomb

Yahoo News ^ | 1/15/04 | Deb Reichmann

[NormsRevenge]

ATLANTA - Looking for election-year support from black voters in the South, President Bush (news - web sites) was greeted at Martin Luther King's grave here Thursday by noisy demonstrators who chanted "Go home, Bush!" after receiving a warmer reception at a shabby church in New Orleans.

As Bush placed a wreath on King's crypt, a low chorus of boos could be heard from across the street where 700 protesters beat drums and waved signs bearing slogans such as "War is not the answer" and "It's not a photo-op, George."

Bush's four-stop swing through Georgia and Louisiana allowed him face time with two important constituencies — religious conservatives, who make up his base of support, and black voters, only 9 percent of whom supported him in 2000. Events in both states were paired with fund-raisers, which raised $2.3 million for his campaign account, already brimming with more than $130 million.

In this year's presidential race, Bush probably will garner only slighly more of the black vote, predicts David Bositis, a political analyst in Washington who focuses on black issues.

"Nine percent is the lowest for a Republican candidate since Barry Goldwater, he said. "When you get a zero on a test and you take it a second time, the odds are that you're going to do a little better."

The president, standing silently, his head slightly bowed, appeared unfazed by the protesters at King's tomb, where he laid a wreath of red, white and blue flowers to mark what would have been the civil rights leader's 75th birthday.

King Center officials said they extended no formal invitation to Bush but accepted his offer to come.

The president's critics dismissed his visit to the grave as a symbolic gesture that only underscored shortcomings in the administration's relationship with blacks.

Back in Washington, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (news - web sites), said not one policy decision made by the Bush administration — from the war in Iraq (news - web sites) to the economy, from education to the environment — has mirrored King's dream. "The president needs to be more embracing of elected African American officials and the entire African American community every day of the year, not just on January 15th," he said.

Bush didn't speak publicly at the grave, but earlier at the black church in Louisiana, Bush said King understood that "faith is power greater than all others," and that it was important for America to "honor his life and what he stood for."

Bush was at Union Bethel A.M.E. Church, in a high-crime area of downtown New Orleans, to push his faith-based initiative. He typically uses black churches for faith-based events, but Bositis of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a think tank in Washington. said Thursday's events were tailored to winning white voters too.

"They're aimed at white Christian conservative supporters," he said. "Appearing in black churches makes him look like he's doing all these things for black people. It makes him look less conservative, and that's a potential plus for white, suburban swing voters."

At the church, where pews are broken and the sky can be seen through holes in stained glass window panes, Bush announced that the Justice Department (news - web sites) has finalized just such regulations affecting $3.7 billion in funding, primarily for programs that help crime victims, prevent child victimization and promote safe schools.

"That's why I'm here — to get involved with the faith-based initiative," said David Shelton Jr., minister from a poor church nearby that has fed 400,000 people the past 17 years.

Kevin J. Boyd Sr, pastor at an upscale church in New Orleans, said he was "sure politics is playing a part" in Bush's visit. "But when you're worried about your next meal, you're not worried about going to the polls."

After receiving a friendly reception at the church, more than 100 demonstrators chanted "Down with Bush" from behind barricades a block away from the D-Day Museum, where Bush attended a fund-raiser. Many of the protesters wore T-shirts with the words "one-term president." An effigy of Bush was set afire and had to be stamped out by police.

At a fund-raiser in Atlanta, Bush was introduced by Democratic Sen. Zell Miller, a conservative courted to the campaign after last year announcing that he would support Bush's re-election.

"I can guarantee you that I will not be the only Democrat working for his re-election," said Miller, greeted with loud hoots of approval from the mostly Republican crowd.

True to Miller's word, there were several other Georgia Democrats in the audience to lend their support to Bush, a fact in which the president openly exulted. After thanking Miller and the other Democrats profusely, Bush had a joke for the Republican supporter: "I'm kind of taking you for granted tonite," he said to laughter.

[TomServo]

Looking for election-year support from black voters in the South

He's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

[OpusatFR]

Bet any money the organizers were the usual suspects: ANSWER, Moveon.orgy, and the Islamic groups. Wish someone could find out.

[tuckrdout]

Last year, my son and I attended a MLK Jr. celebration in a small town in Northern Virginia.

We were the only white faces at the Church!

And I have to tell you, that I have never felt more hostility in my life! Only 2 people welcomed us and smiled. Hundreds glared at us. We actually did not stay for the whole thing, we left because it was causing a disturbance to the ceremonies, having us there.

Were they judging me by the "content of my character" and not the color of my skin, as Dr. King dreamed everyone would do? A shame really, that during ceremonies aimed at honoring this man who fought and died for peaceful integration, such discrimination would be displayed.

I am a great admirer of Dr. King. If you have not read his speech, "Rediscovering Lost Values" do so today. It is wonderful!

[chiller]

If blacks want 2nd class status, they can get it by sticking with the Dems.

[NormsRevenge]

I am sorry to hear of the reactions of those at that gathering in a house of God.

Maybe they need to be reminded of all those not of their color who have died in wars defending their rights as Americans to gather in churches of worship.

[aomagrat]

As Bush placed a wreath on King's crypt, a low chorus of boos could be heard from across the street where 700 protesters beat drums and waved signs bearing slogans such as "War is not the answer" and "It's not a photo-op, George."

The NAACP's and Jesse Jackson's rent-a-mob. It shows up here in SC every King Day to protest the Confederate Flag.

[Hotdog]

Hey..I tried to get along with those radical blacks...but gave up...they are in the minority now...the ones that really matter are the ones that don't judge by color but judge by our common beliefs...and from one colored blind American to another...thats all I need!

[tuckrdout]

The response shocked us, too.

Here is an exerpt from Dr. King's Speech, "Rediscovering Lost Values":

"The other thing is that we have adopted a sort of a pragmatic test for right and wrong--whatever works is right. If it works, it's all right. Nothing is wrong but that which does not work. If you don't get caught, it's right. That's the attitude, isn't it? It's all right to disobey the Ten Commandments, but just don't disobey the Eleventh, Thou shall not get caught. That's the attitude. That's the prevailing attitude in, in our culture. No matter what you do, just do it with a, with a bit of finesse. You know, a sort of attitude of the survival of the slickest. Not the Darwinian survival of the fittest, but the survival of the slickest--who, whoever can be the slickest is, is the one who right. It's all right to lie, but lie with dignity. It's all right to steal and to rob and extort, but do it with a bit of finesse. It's even all right to hate, but just dress your hate up in the garments of love and make it appear that you are loving when you are actually hating. Just get by! That's the thing that's right according to this new ethic.

My friends, that attitude is destroying the soul of our culture! It's destroying our nation! The thing that we need in the world today, is a group of men and women who will stand up for right and be opposed to wrong, wherever it is. A group of people who have come to see that some things are wrong, whether they're never caught up with. Some things are right, whether nobody sees you doing them or not.

All I'm trying to say is, our world hinges on moral foundations. God has made it so! God has made the universe to be based on a moral law. So long as man disobeys it he is revolting against God. That's what we need in the world today--people who will stand for right and goodness. It's not enough to know the intricacies of zoology and biology. But we must know the intricacies of law. It is not enough to know that two and two makes four. But we've got to know somehow that it's right to be honest and just with our brothers. It's not enough to know all about our philosophical and mathematical disciplines. But we've got to know the simple disciplines, of being honest and loving and just with all humanity. If we don't learn it, we will destroy ourselves, by the misuse of our own powers."

[baltodog]

As a white man, I would never attend any memorial to any fallen black icon.

I have seen too much hostility towards whites. I have explained the good MLK did to my children, but they also understand that the new black heroes blaspheme MLK's memory.

It's blacks that are keeping racism alive, not conservative republicans...

BTW, is this memorial a federal memorial or a for-profit memorial?

[travh20]

shouldnt these people have been at work?

[gortklattu]

booing somebody who is paying their respects for the dead?

Today's liberals are evil. Just evil. Good people don't do such a thing.

[Tacis]

This issue with King is ALWAYS, "Did you pay the man?" The King family wants pay days. It is a difficult road when on one hand, they want Marty King to be a national icon but, on the other, want you to license any image or his words from them.

If Bush had paid enough to be there, the Kings would have hired "enforcers" to guarantee that there would be no opposition. The King family (no, not the singers!) does more to perpetuate racism in this country that the Klan ever did. Corey has to be the greediest woman alive today.

[AngryJawa]

Were they judging me by the "content of my character" and not the color of my skin, as Dr. King dreamed everyone would do?

This seems to be a detail conveniently forgotten by a whole bunch of so-called "civil rights leaders" and other blacks who profess to follow Dr. King.

[truth_seeker]

I wonder if there is a single state which Bush lost in 2000, which he could win because of getting a higher percent of the Black vote?

Because otherwise, the effort doesn't yield a tangible political benefit.

Of course I know GWB would do it anyway, because he's a good and decent man.

[Ramcat]

Just today I was thinking about all the abuse our president has taken during this democrat primary season.
I've not known another man except One who has been so gracious under so much hostility.

[AngryJawa]

BTW, is this memorial a federal memorial or a for-profit memorial?

IIRC, it's a not-for-profit foundation. But Coretta Scott King does tend to milk it for all it's worth. I wouldn't be suprised to find pay toilets in the joint.

[tuckrdout]

I will tell you another disgusting thing that I know. Mr. Jessie Jackson is the most vile elitist racist that you will ever meet.

A person that I knew who worked at Dulles airport and attended to the "needs" of all VIP clients, had many tales to tell. The one about Jackson was the most incredible.

Seems Jackson will not "lower" himself to speak directly to "lowly" airport workers. He ignored this wonderful white lady when she asked him a direct question, and instead had to direct all her questions to his "aide", who would then re-ask Jackson! Jackson looked right through her, and behaved as if she were not even there!

He does not carry on the Dr. King legacy! Anyone who thinks so, is hopelessly decieved!

[Williams]

I love how the article treats the protestors as the main event (every president is protested everywhere) and that everything Bush does now is "looking for election year support...." I suppose he should stop being President this year. Also noteworthy that the total lack of manners by these protestors is not recognized. The democrats are deathly afraid that any republican touch "their" blacks and so any outreach to blacks must be discredited. Democrats and the press (same thing) are a real bunch of scum.

[uncbob]

Last year, my son and I attended a MLK Jr. celebration in a small town in Northern Virginia.

I hope you are over your NAIVETE