After Action Report

[darrels joy]

Why did the anti war protest in Las Vegas today take place in front of the Venetian?
Likewise, Bush, in the presidential bubble, interacts only with Republican donors, dignitaries and well-wishers.
Porter (Rep. John Porter, R-Nev) comes to the stage and introduces Bush, mentioning his tax cuts, the strong Nevada economy and the new prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. He doesn't mention the war in Iraq, which has become a drag on Republican fortunes nationwide.
Bush speaks for 20 minutes, his speech familiar to anyone who's seen him during the last few years. Iraq is the central front in the war on terror ... freedom is universal ... make the tax cuts permanent.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2006/apr/25/inside-the-bubble/
Porter’s name was on one sign. Most signs said “Support our Troops End the War“ or “No War on Iran”. Too many signs for the number of people that came out. The rest were leaning up against the fence. One “Military Families Speak Out” banner.

Megaphone Rants “Bush lied, people died. Chaney lied, people died.” End the War (response from 6 or 8 people) Now


Just out of the package “Don’t Tread On Me” flag with creases still in it.


More bikes came by than protestors and the made more noise.


Man in camo wearing a “I support the Iraq Veterans Against the War” had a photographer with him. My picture is probably in his collection for the day. Some American Flags of various sizes. None flown upside down.


One counter-protester watching and chatting with the security/police. The hat says “Behind Every U.S. Military Hero Stands An American Family”

[darrels joy]

All walking up & back 'til they got tired. The protest was scheduled from 1 to 3 but petered out by 2:15. Total of 75 people max. Most of the time about 50. Single cars honked from time to time. About 4 or 5 Ron Paul supporters.

All in all, a very entertaining afternoon.

[darrels joy]

Scores of anti-war protesters march in front of Venetian

Adelson's ties to Freedom's Watch cited

By LAWRENCE MOWER
REVIEW-JOURNAL



Members of the Nevada Workers Against the War protest the war in Iraq on Saturday on the sidewalk in front of The Venetian.
Photo by Ronda Churchill


On the eve of the Iraq war, Linda Turner protested, just as she did during Vietnam.
Five years later, she's still protesting.
"It's frustrating," the 66-year-old said Saturday. "They didn't listen to us then."
She then picked up a sign and joined about 100 people in front of The Venetian about 1 p.m., calling for an end to the war in Iraq and any potential action against Iran.




"Bring them home!" members of Nevada Workers Against the War shouted as onlookers gawked and tourists in the hotel's gondolas, just a few feet away, peered up to see what the fuss was about.

The organization made up mostly of members of various unions, targeted The Venetian because it is owned by Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman Sheldon Adelson.

Adelson is a Republican political activist and significant contributor to Freedom's Watch, a right-wing group aiming to counter the liberal MoveOn.org. The resort also is not a union property.

Freedom's Watch's Web site warns of the "emerging Iranian threat" and "Big Labor's radical agenda."

During his trip to Las Vegas earlier this year, President Bush attended a Republican Party fundraiser at Adelson's home.

That message appeared to be lost on the hundreds of tourists walking past the rally. Only 23-year-old protester Sarah Kulkin carried a sign mentioning the casino tycoon. "Sheldon Adelson uses your $ to propagate war w/Iran," her sign read.

A call to a Las Vegas Sands Corp. spokesman was not returned.
Several tourists stopped to observe the protesters, who walked in an orderly semicircle on the sidewalk.

"Democracy in action. It's just great," said 35-year-old Tim Jackson, who was visiting Las Vegas from Great Britain.

Other tourists seemed puzzled by a protest on the Strip.

"This doesn't seem like an appropriate place," said 46-year-old Jim Genna of Dallas. "I think it would be better in Washington, where there's people in power."

Protest organizer Sean Sabatini said the protest was the first on the Strip for the organization, which he described as loosely knit.

Contact reporter Lawrence Mower at lmower@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0440.