Antiwar group targets Bush visit to UK

[Papa]

By Shaista Aziz

Wednesday 22 October 2003, 13:27 Makka Time, 10:27 GMT

Antiwar activists are claiming a first round victory over attempts to stop President Bush's first state visit to the UK.


They have wrecked his chances of getting all the VIP treatment which goes along with a state visit to the sovereign state.

President Bush, visiting London in November for three days, was looking forward to meeting the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

This was to have entailed a grand procession along the Mall with all the pomp and ceremony of a state visit, but it has been cancelled over fears that antiwar campaigners would stage a colourful and angry protest to overshadow the event.

The President was also due to address the British Parliament on his three day visit. However, that too has been cancelled.

Peace activists claim that has been dropped over concerns that anti war MPs would boycott the session, causing embarrassment to Tony Blair.

more......

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/869845E7-0A91-4025-906D-3508073BBD01.htm

I apoligize if this is a dupe, but I didnt see posted anywhere. I hope there are millions in the street in the UK.

[La_Serpiente]

1. Quoting a woman from CSpan yesterday

"The entire world is so pissed at the US. When Bush goes to Britain next month, they are going to throw the MOTHER of all protests".

I'm looking forward to this. Usually, people in Europe are more radical and liberal than their counterparts in the US.

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. I'm trying to work out what he'll do now

3 days in London, and the only thing that seems to remain is tea with the Queen, and a state dinner. I suppose they can helicopter him to Chequers (the Prime Minister's country house - private property, with large grounds, so they can keep protestors well away). But without the procession, or the address to Parliament, he might as well stay in Air Force One. Maybe they'll do a surprise visit to somewhere, so the protestors don't have time to organise. They normally do royal and Prime Ministerial visits to Northern Ireland this way. but if they do that, they'll have precious few people who feel like cheering, or even seeing, him too.

[MetaTrope]

3. Just give it up Bush & Blair, and fly to the Azores again

Where you can build sand castles and kick them down.

[snippy]

7. Bush likes playing in the sand.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Bush 'disappointed' (satire)

I haven't seen this site before, but it looks promising...

http://deadbrain.co.uk/news/article_2003_10_21_5236.php

Instead of the Royal Coach, Mr Bush will travel to the Palace by helicopter. It is understood that he has indicated that he would like to wear a US army helicopter pilot's combat uniform and to be lowered into Palace grounds by winch, and Downing Street has agreed, in the interests of diplomacy.

Her Majesty, however, is reported to be "not amused" and Prince Philip has apparently threatened to get his shotgun out and take "a pot-shot at the bugger if he tries that".

"It's not Monty Python's Flying Circus here, with people dressing up as whatever they bloody well feel like," the Prince is understood to have said. "You don't see us dressing up and looking bloody ridiculous."

Other proposed events during the Mr Bush's visit have also been curtailed or cancelled. In particular, Mr Bush will not address Parliament, allegedly because of fears of embarrassment should there be a boycott by MPs. "Actually," confided Mr Ramsbottom, "the real reason is that they couldn't find an interpreter."

[ProgressiveBrit]

5. No Dupe - they're scared!

No, it's not a dupe, the dubious duo have had to cancel Bush and the Queens parade along the mall and the toxic texecutioners speech to Parliament. He's also not going to be travelling anywhere by car, and is going by helicopter instead. We're all set in Britain to give the weasel a very warm welcome, take for example 5th November (it's traditionally Guy Fawkes night over here in Britain where people burn their "Guys" on top of bonfires) this year there's going to be an added twist in hundreds of places across Britain - people are going to be burning Bush instead. You can see details of the Burning Bush project at www.burningbush.org.uk

There's even tips on that website for how to burn Bush, as well as letters you can take around to neighbours inviting them to burn Bush as well. Oh, and an added incentive for Brits, you get to burn Blair as well - there's a Blair face mask you can download from the site!

[Rose Siding]

6. Here is a previous discussion

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20031018/wl_uk_afp/britain_us_visit_parade_031018232114

LONDON (AFP) - Britain has scrapped plans for Queen Elizabeth II (news - web sites) and US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) to take part in a triumphant London parade next month because of fears of angry protests over the war in Iraq (news - web sites).

A senior palace official told The Sunday Telegraph that detailed plans had been made for the procession which is usually a high point of any state visit.

"But Downing Street, anxious about possible anti-war protests from the start, has now decided to pull the plug on it," the unnamed official was quoted as saying.

"We are liaising with the White House and they have made no attempt to hide their disappointment. They saw it, obviously, as a great photo opportunity," the source said.

more

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=173444

[newyawker99]

9. Hi ProgressiveBrit!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[snippy]

8. Please let him go somewhere with a "Bare Your Bum at Bush" protest.

If you hear of a visit to your part of town or happen to see George W Bush, bare your arse in his general direction. Don't be afraid to wiggle it about a bit and maybe even spread your cheeks; this is a political statement you're making and you don't want to do things by halves, now do you?

http://www.bloggerheads.com/can_weblogs/bush_bum.asp

[Pastiche423]

10. Photos PLEASE!

To any of our British sisters and brothers - if you have the occasion to take at pic of any of the BBB's, please post here!

I have a space on my wall, awaiting such an image.

TIA

[schultzee]

11. Bu$h hides from our protests, but he won't hide from the Brits. lol