Community Corner

Anti-Bush Protesters Outside Morongo Casino, No Sign Of Former President

Members of Occupy Riverside and other activists arrived outside Morongo Casino on Thursday to protest the paid appearance of former President George W. Bush at a private event hosted by the Western Riverside Council of Governments.

There appeared to be 25 to 30 protesters altogether, and many of them sought refuge from the afternoon sun in the shade of large signage at the Morongo gas station and travel center across the street from the casino.

In brief warm up speeches two of the protesters indicated they remain adamantly opposed to Bush's prosecution of the Iraq War, and one protester held a sign calling Bush a war criminal.

Organizers said beforehand they respect the indigenous Morongo Band of Mission Indians and they had no intent of trying to enter the venue for the private event.

But they criticized local government officials for finding a way to give money to a former chief of state for an appearance that was closed to the public and the news media.

Representatives for Bush were not available to speak on his behalf. A tribal representative referred questions about the private event to WRCOG officials.


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