See no protest

The White House apparently believes members of the public who disagree with President Bush should be neither seen nor heard. Protesters, rather than being allowed to line the presidential motorcade route, are routinely corraled into areas known as "protest zones" or the euphemistically named "free speech zones" - fenced-in areas well out of view of the president and his entourage. Supporters of the president in many cases are free to stand much closer with their friendly signs.

The Secret Service claims it moves all people carrying signs into protest zones, regardless of their political leanings, as a necessary precaution to protect the president. However, a federal lawsuit recently filed by the American Civil Liberties Union challenging the use of these zones nationwide documents numerous cases where only critics of the president have been herded into protest zones. snip

As much as the Bush administration dislikes dissent, Americans have the absolute right to express it. Protest zones need to be zoned out of existence.

more