Rocky's park protest gets mixed reviews: disgraceful to heroic

Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson grabbed national attention Monday for leading an anti-war protest that attracted more than 1,000 demonstrators during President Bush's visit to the Utah capital.

Shortly after urging the crowd at Pioneer Park to chant, "We're not going to take it any more," the mayor was telling the New York Times that the Salt Lake gathering would "be a very pivotal moment in terms of protests of the president."

Meanwhile, his staff juggled interview requests from CNN and ABC News, as well as other national media outlets, as a crowd of protesters ignored the program that was still going on to offer their support to the mayor.

"Thank you, Rocky," several in the crowd said as they jostled to shake Anderson's hand or give him a hug. "Give 'em hell, Rocky," others called out. "Thanks for standing up for your country, Rocky," one said. And someone shouted, "Rocky for president!"

Catherine Legge of Coalville, the mother of a 23-year-old son whom she fears will someday be sent off to war, told the mayor, "You're a national hero."

Anderson smiled, then answered, "You guys are heroes."

The attention may have been more than he expected when he called for "the biggest demonstration this state has ever seen" to be organized for Bush's visit to the annual Veterans of Foreign Wars convention, being held at the Salt Palace.

Anderson said repeatedly to the media he felt an obligation as an elected official to speak out. "This country is headed in the wrong direction," the mayor said, labeling Bush's policies "disastrous" on a wide range of topics, from the war to the environment.

"People are not going to stand for it anymore," he declared. "To have that kind of a message with such force here in Salt Lake City, I think we can expect it now throughout the country."

Earlier in the day, the response to the mayor was much different when he gave a welcome speech to the VFW convention. A few of the 9,000 conventioneers booed when Anderson was introduced.

And although he called for support for the nation's troops, and more assistance to its veterans, Anderson received only polite applause from the convention audience. Other speakers, including Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., were given standing ovations.

Outside the Salt Palace, a few dozen demonstrators waved signs and shouted slogans for and against the president. Some of the Bush supporters also took on the mayor, yelling, "Shame on Rocky" as he entered and exited the convention hall.