President Avoids St. Pete Protesters

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ST. PETERSBURG - As Air Force One roared away from Pinellas County, soaring to its next destination in South Florida, about 20 protesters of the throng that lined Roosevelt Boulevard earlier in the day remained, hoping to have their anti-establishment voices heard.

At its strongest, the rally was more than 70 strong, many of them wearing caps that hid graying temples or topped salt-and-pepper ponytails. They lined a short stretch of the road that passes in front of the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport on Friday morning. They wanted to wave a sign at President Bush as he left the airport en route to a private fundraiser.

They did see him touch down about 10 a.m., but they were out of luck when it came to the motorcade. The president left the airport in a caravan that pulled out about one-quarter mile south of where the protesters were, and it returned the same way.

Protesters were told by Pinellas County sheriff's deputies that they could not go farther south than the intersection of 46th Street North.

"We're stuck in a free-speech zone," hollered one protester.

Protesters waved handmade signs with slogans such as: "Where is bin Laden" and "George, How Much Is This Costing Us," referring to the criticism that the president was attending a private affair while on government time.

The protesters waved to motorists who honked in support, and they weathered insults from those who, invariably, shouted, "Get a job."

"I have a job," 24-year-old Erin Dritsas, one of the youngest protesters, hollered back. "I just got out of work at 7 o'clock this morning."

She held a white bedsheet with large red letters that read: "Bush Betrayed America." She said she showed up because she is "very angry."

Nearby, a protestor held a sign that answered the "get a job" criticism. "Will Work for Impeachment," it read.

Twenty feet to the south was Karen Borrows, who wouldn't say how old she was but gave a hint when she said she remembered the Vietnam War. She said she was at this protest for her three grandchildren.

"I don't want them going to war or see a draft," she said, "A draft is a possibility, and therefore this is my position."

She said that even though the president didn't see the protesters, all those who drove by Friday morning did.

"This raises awareness," she said. "They may not be aware that they have an opportunity to vote and make choices at the voting booth, where they can make a change."

Farther down the line was 20-year-old Michael Freincle, dressed in a black T-shirt and bluejean shorts. His sign simply said: "George, Bring My Brother Home." Freincle said his older brother, William, is serving his second tour in Iraq, and that is why he turned out for the protest.

John Russell, who ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. House of Representatives last year, perhaps was the most vocal of the throng.

"This president has proven himself to be one of the most failed leaders in the modern world," he said. Gesturing to the line of protesters, he said, "This is America right here. He [Bush] has lined himself up with only a minority of American people who believe in the policies of a cowboy president."

The small group of people on the north side of the intersection quietly disagreed. A few waved U.S. flags. They weren't vocal, and they didn't stay long.

"We're out here just hanging out," said Vicki Lopez, who works in the nearby St. Pete Auto Auction, where many of the protesters were allowed to park. "We just came out to see the president, and we decided to support him."

Rally organizer Mike Fox said the turnout was better than he had hoped. He sent e-mail to various groups aligned against the administration's policies only yesterday, he said.

"Not bad for a Friday morning," he said.