Rallies, protests today in Salt Lake

You might want to grab your placards, sunblock and message of choice to join Salt Lake City's seven planned protests and rallies today.

The events center around a visit by President Bush, who is scheduled to speak at the American Legion convention Thursday.

And there may be more: Salt Lake City stopped offering permits for protests at the end of last week, but anyone can hold an impromptu rally anywhere in the city as long as it doesn't block traffic or take a space allotted to a demonstration with a permit.

The gatherings that do have permits, in chronological order, are:

American Legion

Legion commanders will host a press conference and rally this morning to show the Legion's support for American troops overseas and in past conflicts, National Commander Tom Bock said. He also will read a statement from the family of Marine Cpl. Adam Galvez, who died Aug. 20 in Iraq.

The Legion event will run from 8:30 to 9 a.m. on the east side of the Salt Palace at 100 South and West Temple.

"Death to Israel" demonstration

Participants in this event will be able to paint messages about Israel on a cardboard wall, organizer Robert Breeze said. He plans to set up the wall and offer paint brushes to anyone who wants to craft a message, although he said that he and his friends reserve the right to paint over any message they dislike.

Breeze will be on the north sidewalk of 400 South between State Street and 200 East from about 10 a.m. to about 1 p.m. and again from about 5:30 to 8 p.m.

"We the People for Peace and Justice"

Even though Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a soldier killed in Iraq in 2004, cannot attend as previously announced because of recent surgery, this anti-war rally is still going on as planned at Washington Square. Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson is scheduled to speak about 12:25 p.m. Bands, other speakers and activities will start around 10:30 a.m.

After Anderson's speech about 12:45 p.m., the demonstrators will move up State Street to the Federal Building.

"Freedom Rally"

Running at the same time as the protest on Washington Square, this event was organized by Paul Holton, a National Guard soldier who started Operation Give to offer gifts to Iraqi children from U.S. military members. Holton said he has lined up Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff to rally the crowd. Holton's group will also conduct a flag ceremony. The aim is to send a message of support to troops in Iraq, Holton said.

Speakers will start about 11:30 a.m. in the northeast corner of Liberty Park.

"Welcome and Appreciation Rally for President Bush"

This Republican-organized rally at Washington Square is a public rally before an invitation-only welcoming reception later tonight when Bush lands in Utah.