The the chants of "Bush Out. Assasin!" tens of thousands of Parisians of diverse age and race with a coalition of hundreds or organizations walked through Paris today to protest the American foreign policy as regards Palestine. We marched from the Place de la Republique to the Bastille and then on to the Place de la Nation where the statue of a woman representing Liberty, I believe, was draped with banners and posters protesting American foreign policy towards Palestine and other Arab nations. The energy level was very high and chants against Bush and the warbling calls of Arab women filled the air.

The overwhelming mood was one of anger towards Bush on account of his continued support of Israel and Sharon. One Morroccan woman I spoke to, who actually approached me when she heard me interviewing someone (video to follow in July) in English , was quite exasperate. She said she had just returned from Palestine and had seen the immense damage caused by the US funded Isreali military. She was quite emotional about the death and destruction and asked me very determinedly why Americans hate Arab people so much. The operative term here, in her broken English was 'crimes'and 'terrorism'. I spent a good twenty minutes or so explaining to her that most Americans do not care what goes on outside their borders, that most Americans seem content to let the television and their credit card do their living for them. She could understand that the policies of the American government were not reflective of the feelings of the American people but she could not understand why we Americans would do nothing about the destruction that the American government creates and entertains throughout the world.

The protest coincides with Bush's visit to Europe. It is easily apparent to even the most casually aware American that President Bush is looked upon as a very dangerous presence on todays world stage. Tomorrow, on Monday May 27th, there is to be an even larger demonstration near the American cemetary by Omaha Beach in the Normandy region of Northeastern France.

Gregory Sotir

May 26, 2002