Police Intimidation Threatens Peaceful Protest of Fund-raiser
Wade Fulmer, Columbia

On Friday, Nov. 2, activists had arrived by 10:30 on the sidewalk across the street from the entrance to the plantation on Garners Ferry Road where the Republican barbecue fund-raiser was being held. Participants ranged from college students to an 80-year-old WWII veteran, and were citizens or representatives of various peace groups. Activists and protesters were orderly, quiet, and held signs in protest of the Iraq War, to advocate for the care of our troops, and to insist that Bush-Graham politicians do not rush to still another war with Iran.  

At about 10:45, Columbia police suddenly demanded that all protesters were to move down the hill to the far end of Woodhill Mall, which would take us and signs out of the view of traffic and politicians entering the barbecue. Upon asking an officer why, he said that the order was given to officers this morning by their captain. As an organizer of the demonstration, I asked why was such an order given. I reminded officers that Columbia city police have agreed and cooperated with us for four years in the exercise of our right to assemble and protest as long as there is no disturbance or interference with traffic. I asked to speak to the officer in charge. He approached and spoke angrily that we must move. He then told me that I had 10 seconds to move to the bottom of the hill. 

Other participants also asked why the denial of our right to protest. I asked who we might speak with to allow our protest to continue. I asked who had made the decision because there would be a formal challenge regarding the denial of our assembly and any threat made. He said that Harold Reaves, interim police chief, had made the decision. I asked to speak to him. The answer was no. I then told him that at a prior demonstration at the Republican presidential candidates debate, Mr. Reaves, who was then with Homeland Security in Columbia, after conversation did agree that we have the right to peacefully demonstrate, and the requirement was that we remained on the sidewalk across from that event without causing disruption. So, what partisan political fund-raiser planners may have influenced the attempted denial of our right as citizens to protest? We should ask the host of the barbecue. I understand that he may be a member of the Columbia City Council, so perhaps he might assist us to find an answer.

After talking with the officer in charge, additional police cars arrived blocking protesters and our signs from the view of arriving Republican fund-raiser guests. A police van pulled up directly in front of us and the back doors were opened. Participants, including the wise WWII veteran, continued to remind the police that we were rightfully there, in peaceful assembly and protest.  

As the police escalated an unnecessary confrontation, two protesters phoned 911, and reported that we were being threatened by the police. Shortly after, a black car with a man and woman in formal dress parked in front of us. As they were talking beside the car I twice asked to speak to them. They heard my requests, turned away, and went over to talk with police. We were soon informed that our protest with our signs could continue as long as we stayed on the sidewalk.

The intimidation and threat to violate our right of dissent somehow ended. Although there were a few Bush war supporters with their signs and shirts just a few yards from us, they were never challenged by police. I and other protesters thanked the front-line police for their presence and assistance. Our peaceful protest with signs against the war and its fundraising politicians continued until 12:30 without further incident.

Activist citizens must continue to peacefully assemble and exercise our right of dissent, that there shall be accountability for the contrived war and an end to the bloodshed and mental destruction of military, loved ones, and families. As a war veteran, I will peacefully protest as long as soldiers and families continue to be betrayed to the endless killing in Iraq, as long as warful politicians continue their rush of reckless funding of that killing.  

I thank all those who gathered today with their dedicated sincerity, courage, and perserverance, who stood with determination and gave their voices in dissent for peace, to bring troops home and care, and to demand there be no more wars committed by liars.  To make us right with integrity, out the civil war capital politicians’ hypocrisy. There will be a formal complaint regarding the attempted coup of our today’s protest.