Last week, we announced that Bush will arrive at the Hyatt Regency Hotel around 6 PM for a $2000-per-person reception. This fundraising stop represents an excellent opportunity for organized, well-publicized, peaceful protest of the Bush administration.

This message is a call to all peace and/or progressive action groups, organizations, and individuals in the tri-state area. All groups and all individuals are hereby invited to join this large protest event.

Numbers are crucial. If we are going to do this, it must be done right. We need numbers, we need order. Please send this message to anyone you believe might be interested in participating in the demonstration.

The Student Coalition for Peace and Democracy (SCPAD), headed by Joshua Allen and Igor Zhukovsky, has organized and will lead the demonstration. We are working with local activists, Peace Action of Connecticut, and some www.moveon.org volunteers.

The response from both volunteers and the press has been significant. This is going to big. As it tuns out, we may even be able to get sponsors for free food and coffee. We may also get the inflatable "White House for Sale" White House from www.whitehouseforsale.org. BRING AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN!!!

There should be around 10-20 reporters present at the demonstration and we are preparing press kits. THE TIME OF ASSEMBLY IS NOW 4:30 PM. The doors open for Bush fundraising guests at 5, and we want to be there before they are. Bush is supposed to arrive at 6.

BE SURE TO BRING LIGHTS (flashlights, lamps, etc). It will get dark and we want to able to light up all of our signs. If anyone has any powerful lighting units, it would be great if you bring them. We hope to have power available via extension chords. If anyone has MEGAPHONES, please bring them. Bullhorns are also an option. DRESS WARMLY. It will likely be cold. We suggest boots, multiple layers, hats, gloves, etc.

Here are just a few suggestions for signs you can make. We do ask that you bring your own signs. You can find more ideas all over the web if you want.

1. "Got WMDs?"
2. "3 Million Jobs", The Largest Deficit Ever."
3. "How Many Bodies per Gallon?", "_____ Dead, _____ Woudned"
4. "Re-Defeat Bush"
5. "There's A Terrorist Behind Every Bush"
6. "Don't Waive Your Rights While Waiving Your Flag"
7. "Bush is un-American", "LIAR!"
8. "What's the difference between me and God?
9. "God might forgive Bush. I won't."
9. "War is sweet to those who haven't tasted it"
10. "Drop Bush Not Bombs"
11. "Guns Don't Kill People, George W. Bush Does"
12. "Healthcare, not Warfare"

ISSUE FOCUS (anything else will do too)

1. The illegal war, warcrimes, lies, veteran and soldier treatment
2. The poor economy, jobs
3. The PATRIOT ACT
4. The environment
5. The stolen election
6. The horrible medicare bill
7. Corporate ties, billionaires
8. Bush coming to Greenwich for big $$$.

Here are rough directions for how to get there by car. More updates will be sent as the date (JANUARY 29) nears.

MAPS: Remember that we anticipate that much of I-95 (west of Greenwich) and some of the Post Road (Route 1) will be shut down.

Since it is unlikely that 95 will be open (unless you come really early), take the Hutch. The Hutch becomes the Merrit Parkway (15). Take Exit 34 off the Merrit (Stamford).

1: Turn LEFT onto CT-104/LONG RIDGE RD.0.9 milesMap
2: Turn RIGHT onto ROXBURY RD.<0.1 milesMap
3: Turn IMMEDIATELY LEFT onto STILLWATER RD.2.1 milesMap
4: Turn RIGHT onto PALMERS HILL RD.0.4 milesMap
5: Turn LEFT onto HAVEMEYER LN.0.7 milesMap
6: Turn RIGHT onto E PUTNAM AVE/US-1.<0.1 milesMap
7: End at 1800 E PUTNAM AVE OLD GREENWICH CTMap

You'll probably not be able to get to Putnam Ave due to security. Instead, near the end of HAVEMEYER, take a right onto one of the last residential roads and park. From there, you can easily walk right to the main road (E. Putnam Ave) where we will assemble. Call 203-550-1489 for help.

Get to the Merrit Parkway (15) and follow the above directions.

OR...

Take 95 (only coming from the east). Exit 6 is your best bet. Take a right off the ramp. A couple of blocks will bring you to Main Sreet/E. Putnam Ave. Take a left onto it. Follow it as far as you can and find someplace to park. (This point is about 3 city blocks away from the Hyatt). You may need to get off 95 earlier if they shut a lot of it down. If so, just get on the Post Road/Main Street/Putnam until you run into roadblocks or protesters. Call 203-550-1489 for help.

Media coverage will not be a problem. But we need numbers. Anyone who can make it would be highly appreciated. If you are interested, please contact us (see below). We are particularly interested in cell-phone numbers for the relaying of last-minute information. If you intend to attend the protest, please respond describing how likely it is that you will attend or how many people from your organization are interested.

Our location is accessible. The demonstration will be right off I-95 on the Post Road at the Greenwich/Stamford Border. Should roads be shut down the day of Bush’s visit, there will be alternate routes and backup plans (these will be outlined in future e-mails).

THE POLICE ARE COOPERATING. We have met with the Greenwich Police and they have tentatively agreed that protesters will be allowed to stand directly across from the Hyatt, on the sidewalk. This is quite a good location, right where Bush’s motorcade will have to drive by and very close to the entrance.  

It is important to remember that this is to be a PEACEFUL, NONVIOLENT DEMONSTRATION. Power in numbers will be much more effective than power in violence.

Media coverage is also much more favorable of peaceful demonstrations. We will not, however, allow our first-amendment rights of free assembly to be abridged.

Where better to confront Bush than in Greenwich, one of his Republican-dollar-rich strongholds? He considers this his geographical safe ground! LET’S PROVE HIM WRONG. LET’S DO THIS!!!!!

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask:

Joshua Allen
203-637-7995
203-550-1489 (cell)
Joshinog2@aol.com

Igor Zhukovsky
203-531-4590
bob_the_russian@hotmail.com