The Bush administration’s policies at home and abroad have become so unpopular that Bush is greeted at every venue—no matter where in the world—by protestors. The government is working hard to ensure that protesters cannot disrupt any presidential appearance.
To this end, the White House has created a 103-page manual, the “Presidential Advance Manual,” that helps event organizers quell counter-demonstrators.
The document, dated October 2002 and recently released by the ACLU as part of a new lawsuit, advises event planners to “always be prepared for demonstrators.”
How do they do this? Ticketed attendance, name lists for the VIP section and organize “rally squads.” According to the manual, squads can be comprised of fraternity members or young Republicans, and should be in a visible place ready with signs and supportive chants, like “USA! USA!”
The manual also says event planners should “work with the Secret Service and have them ask the local police department to designate a protest area where demonstrators can be placed, preferably not in view of the event site or motorcade route.”
So much for free speech under captialism.
