Karl Rove appearance protested

People express their views along U.S. 41

By CAROLYN QUINN, Sun-Herald Staff Writer

Sunday, May 6, 2007 

PUNTA GORDA -- They carried their beliefs above their heads and propped against their shoulders.

"Where's the money for Charlotte, Karl?"

"Rove, you are the environmental problem"

"If we kill the innocent we become the enemy"

Though their specific concerns varied, the protesters stood together along southbound U.S. 41 in Punta Gorda Saturday in response to one event: Karl Rove's appearance at the Charlotte County Republicans' Lincoln Day Dinner Gala, held that evening at Benedetto's Restaurant in Punta Gorda. Rove is President George W. Bush's Deputy Chief of Staff.

The protesters assembled on the sidewalk beside the restaurant, which stands beside the Best Western hotel, said they were there to make their views visible.

"People know we're here," said protest co-organizer Herb Levin, who is also the program director for the Charlotte County Democrats Club. "Every voice is a voice worth hearing."

While many protesters voiced their views on the Iraq War, the federal response to Hurricane Katrina and scandals within the Bush administration, others felt Rove's appearance in Charlotte County was part of an agenda aimed at undermining Democratic Congressman Tim Mahoney and drumming up support for a Republican successor to the congressman in the next election.

"He's here to try to get Mahoney out of here," said Karen Bennett, a Punta Gorda resident. "I think he wants to get his district back."

Event co-organizer Linda Levin, a Punta Gorda resident who is also the Charlotte County Democrats Club president, was one of those whose sign addressed the matter. It read, "Charlotte County is not a political football."

Levin was pleased with the turnout at the protest, which she said attracted up to 45 or 50 people at its peak. By evening, the group had dwindled to about 25 to 30. She was also happy with the response protesters were getting from passersby -- a "Honk for Peace" sign elicited honks and peace signs from vans filled with kids and cars carrying seniors.

The response was "75 or 80 percent for us," Levin said.

Brent Peebles observed the same from beneath his "Impeach Cheney First" sign.

"All thumbs up and a couple of bad signs, but there are always just a couple," he said. "It's all peaceful."

Across Retta Esplanade, a group of three counter-protesters held up pictures of Bush and a sign that said, "God Bless President Bush and VP Cheney and Our Brave U.S. Troops." The protesters on either side sparred occasionally with each other and with people in cars during their pause at the stop sign.

"If we don't stand with this strong president, we're in trouble," said counter-protester Brenda Vicha, of Port Charlotte. "We should be fighting for our troops, not divided."

Just across Retta Esplanade from Vicha stood a man who has protested before -- Robert Moran, who was arrested in October while protesting outside the Cultural Center of Charlotte County. His trespassing charge was ultimately dropped. A printout of his booking information and mug shot were posted above a sign that read, "Free Speech = Jail."

"I believe in this little thin book right here," he said, holding up a copy of the U.S. Constitution. "They're ripping this apart one page at a time ... It's a darn good reason."

No arrests were made in connection with either the protest or the dinner, according to the Punta Gorda Police Department.