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Activist Barred From Disney Posts Confrontation Video

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By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 30, 2007

Watch The Video

TAMPA - Occasionally disruptive and often confrontational, John Russell recently had been banned from a Pasco County Democratic fundraiser, even though he was the party's nominee in last year's race for a congressional seat.

This weekend, the 51-year-old Pasco County activist got banned from a new place: Disney World.

The confrontation that ended with a no trespassing order being issued was all captured on videotape, which was subsequently posted on the Internet.

Russell has loudly voiced opposition to the established Democratic leadership in Florida and once confronted party chairwoman Karen Thurman on videotape.

This month, he was officially banned from attending the Pasco County Democratic Party's fundraising gala. The event was attended by national, state and local party officials, including Thurman.

The five-member Pasco Democratic Executive Committee had voted to ban Russell because of his disruptive behavior, officials said, even though he was nominated last year to run against Ginny Brown-Waite for the 5th Congressional District seat. Russell lost that race, but is still active in politics, attending peace rallies and backing John Edwards for president.

Saturday, Russell attended a peace rally in Orlando and then went to the annual Florida Democratic Party convention at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resort. There, he was stopped just inside the front door by party officials. Russell was told he was not invited and was asked to leave.

The video shows a steamed Russell becoming confrontational even as he was escorted to the door, fumbling with several bulky Edwards For President campaign signs.

Orange County deputies were called, and Russell, at the end of the 28-minute videotape, was handed a trespassing warning, which, according to Mark Adams, who was running the video camera, prohibits Russell from going onto any Disney property, from the resort where the warning was issued to the Magic Kingdom and Pleasure Island.

"The Disney supervisor made it effective for all Disney properties," Adams said in a telephone interview this afternoon. He said Russell was working today and wouldn't be available for comment. Attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.

Orange County sheriff's deputies said trespass warnings typically are rescinded after a year, unless the issuers wish to extend them.

The warning should never have been issued, said Adams, a former attorney who went to the peace rally and convention with Russell.

"The Florida Democratic Party rules require the convention to be open to all Democrats," Adams said.

Party officials have said Russell was not welcome because he was disruptive.

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760 or at kmorelli@tampatrib.com.

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