August 15, 2003 -Irvine, CA

During this peaceful protest, a Bush supporter allegedly shoved a protester, then claimed it was the protester who shoved her. The Irvine police department escorted the Bush supporter and her family to the island so that they could cross the street.

The KTLA news reporter and camera man were on the scene to hear the Bush supporter tell her side of the story, but refused to interview any of the protesters who witnessed the incident.

Mr. Bush was in Irvine to attend a ,000-a-plate fundraiser.

A middle aged looking protestor did shove that woman. even more innappropriate he put his finger on the head of her child. even if those two things hadn't happened, he and some others were shouting at the top of their lungs to that woman while she was visibly pushing a goddamn stroller! also, to be fair, it wasn't all that clear that she was a bush supporter, all she was talking about was backing our words up by sending money and food and other needed supplies to Iraq. just a little advice, delivered with some aggravation of course. how do i know this? i was putting myself between that hot head and the mother. i apologized to her on his and everyone else who screamed at her behalf. oh yeah, channel 5 found me and talked to me about the whole incident. i don't know if it aired and i gave a false name. its a fucking shame when an 18 year old has to restrain someone who could be his father three times over.

Prole, your interview with KTLA didn't air, and they didn't report on any protesters shoving anyone. They mentioned the incident as a "confrontation" which the Bush supporters were escorted away from.

The photographer in attendance has other photos of the woman and family, prior to said "confrontation", holding the American flag along with signs reading "Bush = Strength" and "Thank You, Mr. President". If that isn't considered support, I don't know what is.

Considering that the KTLA crew was all over this story, it is interesting to note that they did not report any shoving, nor were any arrests made by the Irvine Police Department. The Ten O'Clock news did show a rather large man who took over the microphone, called the protesters idiots, then engaged in a "confrontation" with someone attempting to retrieve the microphone from him.

If you were indeed present, and could identify the person who allegedly shoved the woman, would you be willing to share that party's identity? Could you recognize him and point him out again if you saw him?

Someone should speak to the individual who allegedly shoved the woman (I would be happy to do so myself if I knew who he was).

As you can see by other comments posted, people are only too happy to suspect that protesters are violent. It would be nice to know whether this person was a real protester or a "plant".

Peace out.