From Deseret News archives:
Appearance draws few protesters
UVSC security chiefs can breathe easy if filmmaker Michael Moore's scheduled stop next week runs as smoothly as Hannity's appearance Monday at the McKay Events Center.
A couple dozen protesters lined the fence surrounding designated "protest zones," which were established by UVSC to help maintain order at the event.
Behind the fence, a few quietly held signs protesting the Bush administration and the war in Iraq.
Only a few directed their protests at the conservative talk show host, who can be heard locally on KSL Newsradio 1160.
"Mr. Hannity is someone who has been a warmonger," said protester Sam Taylor, a UVSC senior who also plans to protest the war at Moore's Oct. 20 speech.
Inside the events center — where Hannity broadcast his TV show "Hannity and Colmes" before his speech — the audience cheered for a waving Hannity and booed at footage of Sen. John Kerry, the Democratic presidential candidate.
More than 3,800 students snapped up free tickets to see Hannity speak, and another 300 were issued passes to watch his speech at an overflow area set up on campus.
But with extensive security checks — purses, backpacks and spike jewelry were prohibited — more than 3,000 audience members were still waiting in line at 8:30 p.m., prompting Hannity to delay his appearance.
Student government adviser Phil Clegg said snags like that will be worked out in time for the "Fahrenheit 9/11" director's appearance, which he expects to draw more protesters.
Traffic, although not much of a problem Monday night, is expected to be heavy for Moore's midday appearance.
Those who come to campus just for Moore's speech will have to compete with students for parking, he said.
A voter registration booth was set up at the entrance to the events center.
Twenty-three year-old Rodney Porter, who traveled with six friends from St. George to see Hannity speak, already plans to vote for Bush but hadn't registered until Wednesday night.
"I'm Republican, but I don't necessarily believe in everything Sean Hannity says," he said. "But I thought I'd check it out."
Despite the relative calm surrounding Hannity's appearance, Jim Bassi, UVSC's student body president, is bracing for the worst next week at Moore's appearance.
"Stuff is going to happen," he said.
E-mail: lwarner@desnews.com
