From Deseret News archives:
Rocky drums up Bush protesters
Also, he pledges to solve vendor conflict at 'circle'
The Salt Lake chief executive rubbed shoulders with folks with purple hair, spectacular skin art, dreadlocks and a variety of drums. He was there pledging to work out problems with vendors and he also took the opportunity to recruit drum circle regulars to attend today's protest against President Bush.
Anderson was invited to the circle by a frequent participant who claimed that for many the drum circle is a spiritual experience. An e-mail from the participant said he had heard that vendors would be relegated to another area of the park.
The vendors, selling items from trinkets to jewelry, from food to art work, may be moved to a corner of the park away from the drum circle, according to the e-mail. Drum circle participants do not want to move from their area, considering it sacred because of a death there a few weeks ago, added the note. But they did not want the artisans moved away either.
Pounding rhythms suddenly stopped and those watching and performers yelled welcome when Anderson showed up accompanied by several police officers on bicycle.
But that "just can't be everywhere."
Anderson asked the drum circle folks for their input on the issue of vendor location. He added that he wants a high-profile police presence, and that police are not a problem to people who aren't doing anything illegal.
"We just want everybody to feel that they're comfortable, that they're welcome, and that they're safe and secure here in this park," Anderson told participants.
"Bunny," who has been going to the drum circle for 11 years and who wore a red bandana across his long, graying hair, told Anderson there was no friction over vendors "until they stated selling food and drink to compete with the concession stand. The handcrafts, I heard they didn't care about.
"And Rocky, the drum circle's not about drugs, alcohol . . . or selling things. It's about celebration of life or joy just to be together with brothers and sisters!" At that point, Bunny's comments were drowned out by drumming and yells of approval.
Anderson urged the group to attend the protest of Bush's visit that was planned for today. It will be at Pioneer Park, starting at 11:30 a.m. with the protest really getting going about noon, he said.
Comments
- Smoky smell at hospital from welders 8:27 p.m.
- Panel recommends raising food tax 8:13 p.m.
- BYU football: What others are saying 7:45 p.m.
- Should districts pay union reps? 7:12 p.m.
- I-80 reconstruction finally done 6:55 p.m.
- Child porn case nets fed sentence 6:44 p.m.
- Groups celebrate Dobbs' CNN exit 6:43 p.m.
- H1N1 slightly down in Utah 6:40 p.m.
- Retirement fund still seeking money 6:39 p.m.
- Judge to send message in mink case 6:37 p.m.
- House passes health care bill
333 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
317 - TCU showdown has big implications
195 - Senators want food tax restored
158 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
137 - Will state consider gay rights law?
137 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
118
One of my guilty pleasures is perusing the covers of celebrity magazines...
The galactic center shines like firelight through gaps in …
At least that guy you tore down thinks realistically. As Shoot It says, the...
The only reason the Oklahoma game has lost it's luster is because we...
Let's see. The Deseret News is an LDS owned newspaper sold in a state that...
Why should I be forced to pay for any abortion?
To me he is the symbol of a BIG DISAPOINTING season. What might have been if...
I have been a care giver most of my life and there have been hard times, but...
Come on, you can't really believe Slosn has the final say on who stays and...
I demand YOU pay my way in life and if you complain, I will call you greedy...
I like Max... not perfect, but a hard core competitor, which is all you can...
Whether or not all his theories prove to be true, this guy opened my eyes to...



You can be the first to comment on this story.