Protesters attempt to block motorcade, dragged from street
The heightened political climate in Grand Junction spilled onto the sidewalks along 12th Street as Barack Obama supporters clashed with John McCain supporters Monday evening as McCain’s vice presidential pick Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin spoke at Suplizio Field.
“Everyone has a right and a responsibility to use their First Admemdement rights, but they are just down right being mean,” Mesa State College senior and Barack Obama supporter Melanie Rogers told the Criterion as crowds of people leaving the rally yelled obscenities towards the protesters.
Rogers, along with other Grand Valley residents, held Obama signs at the intersection of 12 and North Streets in the direct path of the thousands of people entering Suplizio Field who were not happy to be greeted by the protesters.
“Regardless of your affiliation, I think it is important to show support for the candidate you choose to support, and even though we are getting a lot of flack, this has been worth it,” Rogers added.
According to reports, a small group of protesters attempted to block Gov. Sarah Palin’s motorcade from entering Suplizio Field. Mesa County Sheriff Stan Hilkey stated that officers on motorcycles were able to clear the protesters before the motorcade arrived, however, police were forced to physically drag people out of the way of the motorcade to make way for it to pull into the field.
Event organizers estimated 22,000 people packed into Suplizio Field to hear Palin’s speech.
Both sides may have said some things that were inappropriate but not only were the protesters screaming vulgar language they were doing it while marching around the track in front of families who were standing there. People had to physically grab their children out of the way of protesters who were out of control. That and while I also support anyone’s right to support whomever they want I don’t support vandalizing an American flag. What a way to show your support for a presidential canidate for the AMERICAN PEOPLE. Also protesters when Obama was speaking were kept on the other side of the street. Not allowed to march around families who supported Obama.
Comment by sparatic_flare — October 22, 2008 @ 3:19 pm