- Soon-to-be graduates had only one thing to do before
hearing President Bush speak and receiving their degrees - wait.
-
- Graduates dressed in cap and gowns, some more decorative
than others, gathered at the French Field House in preparation to march
to Ohio Stadium for the first graduation at the 'Shoe since it was remodeled
last year. Some students came as early as 5 a.m. to accommodate the increased
security measures instilled.
-
- "It's the price you pay for having the president
speak," said Michael Earles who graduated with a bachelor's degree
in history.
-
- Police had set up 10 metal detectors that students had
to pass through to be allowed in French Field House to wait for the beginning
of the commencement ceremony. There were many shouts about how ridiculous
the line and wait was just to get into the athletic center.
-
- "It's frustrating, but it's for security precautions,"
said Jaclyn Gloger, who was conferred for her bachelor's in human ecology.
"It's just how it goes when a high-profile person comes to the university."
-
- The line of graduates snaked through the field house
parking lot and moved down Woodruff Avenue to Coffey Road where it wrapped
around the Agricultural Engineering Building.
-
- Many of the graduates were confused about the agenda
of the ceremony.
-
- Holly Friesen, who received her master's in social work,
said the communication between the university and the students has been
questionable at times.
-
- "They haven't exactly been forthcoming," Earles
said.
-
- Some graduates handed out flyers pleading with their
classmates not to ruin their graduation by making a scene.
-
- Gloger thought the handout expressed her feelings well.
-
- "It's our graduation, if you don't like (Bush)
don't come," she said.
-
- There was a campaign of people to turn their backs on
Bush. Ohio State officials were quick to divert any demonstration by informing
students of six things that would have people removed from commencement,
Earles said.
-
- "They laid down the law at rehearsal," he
said.
-
- It wasn't until 6:30 a.m. that graduates were filed
into French Field House.
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- thelantern.com/news/255721.html http://portland.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=12656&group=webcast
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- ____
-
-
- Ohio State fascism - What Happened Today
-
- Posted by AngryWhiteDemocrat Jun-14-02 at 03:55 PM
-
- LAST EDITED ON Jun-14-02 AT 03:59 PM (ET)
-
- As I sit here before you, I must admit I am truly exhausted
from a full day. I've read the thread about Ohio State on LBN, and I am
here to tell you it is true...and then some. I'll try to hit all the details.
-
- And what happened to us is truly unbelieveable.
-
- We arrived at Ohio Stadium at 6am. A rally was scheduled
at the Jesse Owens memorial site for that time, and the graduates were
to be at their places by 630am. Family and friends were permitted to enter
at that time as well.
-
- I didn't get close enough to the 6am rally, but in my
search for an organizer of Turn Your Back On Bush, I did indeed hear the
announcement. Graduating students were told that they would be expelled
and arrested if they turned their backs. they were alerted that dozens
of staff memebers and police officers would be watching the stands, as
well as the Secret Service. A few students asked for the definition of
expulsion....did it mean removal from the stadium or refusal of their
diplomas, or both? One of the persons at the front said "Both. And
what will your parents do when they are paged from the crowd to bail out
their son?" I do not know if this person had an official capacity
with the Ohio State University or any police department.
-
- I must say, I did not hear that exchange. I was informed
of it later when I found outside the stadium protesting. To tell these
ADULTS that after 4 years and 80,000 dollars that they would be tossed
aside if they didn't face a certain direction?????
-
- I began to wonder how many of those students went to
find their friends who were graduating pre-law.....
-
- We entered the stadium later with family and friends,
and similar statements swirled around the crowd. "Please make sure
you stand and loudly cheer our President. Our graduates have been requested
to do the same, and have agreed to give a loud cheer for Mr. Bush",
etc.....
-
- Once inside, we decided that it might not be a good idea
to be too close to the front. We saw the lines of people waiting to get
in the stadium.....and yes, we saw the yellow buses that carted them all
in. I asked one of them where they were from. The woman replied "Upper
Arlington". However, she could not provide a zip code when I asked
her for it (the main zip code for UA is 43221). Figuring on the masses
of bussed-in people, we knew it might not be wise to be up front.
-
- We went behind the graduates and looked for peace signs
on the mortar boards (a sign that was meant to ID the Turn-Your-Backers).
It was really difficult to get an accurate count, but there were a LOT
of peace signs. I was sure that we weren't the only ones counting peace
signs.
-
- It didn't take long for our stomachs to turn....the first
speaker (I believe the OSU President) began spouting about how proud they
were to have Bush there. He said "We have a long tradition of inviting
great men and women to speak at our commencements." I quickly responded
"but since we couldn't get one, here's Georgie".
-
- That got the attention of the state trooper in front
of us. His eyes were on me the rest of the time.
-
- The speech continued to mention that Chimpy was "a
tireless worker in the field of education" and "a man who unified
this country after the terrible events of 9/11". It was interesting
to note that it took a LONG time for the 9/11 applause to turn into a
standing ovation....they held out for that one, not continuing the speech
intentionally.
-
- About 10 minutes later, Shrub was introduced to speak.
Before he even got to the stage, we did our about-face. I looked over
my shoulder to see how many graduates were doing the same. However, everybody
was standing at that point, and in pure black robes, it was impossible
to see who was facoing what direction. Furthermore, over that same shoulder,
I saw one of Columbus' Finest heading our way.
-
- We never got to see how many students participated.
We were being led out of Ohio Stadium. To the officers' credit, he realized
there was a 3-year-old in my arms and was not at all hostile. I asked
him if I was under arrest, and he did not answer me. When we reached the
exit, I asked the SS man why we had been ejected, and he told me we were
being charged with disturbing the peace. If we chose to leave, the charges
would be dropped immediately.
-
- With our daughter in mind, we chose not to fight it.
I am sure we will regret it someday when Bush's fabulous economy strikes
us and we need a few million in a lawsuit. But our daughter did not need
any more irritation on this day.
-
- On this day, June 14th, 2002, I came to the realization
that we no longer live in a free society. This is rapidly heading in the
same way Nazi Germany headed. Questioning our leaders is no longer the
most outrageous crime you can be charged with. Not paying attention to
them is.
-
- As you take in this message I give to you, I would like
to add a footnote. Next time, I will not leave quietly. Next time, I will
not allow you to intimidate my fellow Americans who wish to speak out.
Next time I will not be so blind when I confront you. Next time we meet,
I will have more people with me to oppose you. Next time, I will have
brought voter registration cards for people whose eyes I will open to
your oppression.
-
- And next time, I will have a babysitter.
-
- Watch what you say, or they'll be calling you a radical,
a liberal." -Supertramp
-
- Proud Card-Carrying Member Of The Grassy Knoll Society
-
- www.democraticunderground.com/cgi-bin/du...
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