City residents protest Bush

The nation's capital was not the only site of protest during Saturday's presidential inauguration, as more than a hundred Philadelphians gathered on Independence Mall to voice their disapproval of the 2000 election. The protesters, some of which were clad in ghoulish Halloween masks, grieved for what was described as "The Death of Liberty." Protesters were voicing their opposition to newly inaugurated President George W. Bush, criticizing what they claimed was a botched election. Symbolically set in front of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, the protest went on despite inclement weather. Carrying signs that read "Shame on Bush" and "Gore Won," protesters of all ages and races listened to speakers from organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Coalition of Labor Union Women and the Pennsylvania Consumer Action Network. Barbara Burgos DiTullio, President of the Pennsylvania National Organization for Women, addressed the crowd first. "On November 7, 2000, Liberty was dealt a critical blow," DiTullio said. "Our voting rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution were ambushed by the good ol' boys in Florida, who used intimidation and flawed voting systems to steal the presidential election." Mike Morril, former clergyman and current executive director of the Pennsylvania Consumer Action Network, spoke about the Supreme Court's decision in the election. "Some people are very upset with the Supreme Court decision to give the presidency to George W. Bush without counting all the votes, which in doing so changed constitutional patterns -- specifically the equal protection clause," Morril said. Rally participants also criticized John Ashcroft, Bush's choice for attorney general. "John Ashcroft is a man who opposes civil rights, gay rights, women's right to choose, gun control and protecting the environment," said Leslie Anastasio, executive director of National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League of Pennsylvania. "[His] record clearly shows that he is incapable of separating his ideology from his responsibilities as a public office holder." The assembled crowd actively participated in the rally, booing, cheering and shouting at intervals throughout the protest. "I am protesting for my grandchildren and my grandparents," said one Philadelphia woman, who wished to remain annonymous. "I want people to know that in 2000 our votes didn't count and as a black American I'm very disturbed about this election." Several times throughout the course of the hour-long demonstration, organizers and audience members sang a specially written rendition of the presidential song "Hail to the Chief" -- retitled by protest organizers as "Hail to the Thief." Kathy Black, president of Philadelphia's chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union Women, stressed the rally's peaceful purpose, especially its intended hopeful tone. "We hope to get some press attention, get the message out that not everyone is happy with the outcome of the election or with the way it proceeded," Black said. "We're hoping to mostly raise awareness. We want to give people hope for the future, as there is a real sense of despair."