Rocky, thousands flay president

Anderson shook hands with supporters and offered hugs to enthusiastic audience members. He responded to cries of "Rocky, Rocky, Rocky" with smiles and waves to the crowd.

The mayor vowed to protest Bush's arrival as soon as it was announced the president would visit Utah to speak to the American Legion. He invited nationally recognized war protester Cindy Sheehan, mother of a soldier who died in Iraq, but she had to cancel Tuesday because of a longer-than-expected recovery time from surgery. Anderson's office fielded hundreds of phone calls in the past several days from people who responded to an ad campaign by the Utah Republican Party against the mayor.

Wednesday, though, Anderson resoundingly criticized Bush's "propaganda" in advance of the Iraq war, including the administration's now-disproved assertion that Iraq had the capability to make nuclear weapons. The mayor also attacked the mainstream media for being what he called "a bulletin board for the lies and propaganda of a manipulative, dishonest federal government."

"We have been getting just about everything but the truth on matters of life and death, on matters upon which our nation's reputation hinges, on matters that directly relate to our nation's most fundamental values, and on matters relating to the survival of our planet," Anderson said. Anderson's remarks followed roughly 90 minutes of other speeches, musical performances and poetry. The speakers, including several former members of the military, called for better care for the environment, more attention for minorities' rights, and an end to the Iraq war.

"Many people here in this state don't understand how to support the troops and oppose the war," said Aaron Davis, a member of Veterans for Peace, who fought in the Vietnam War. "Let's support our troops, let's bring them home now, and let's take care of them when they get here."

Two women in the audience were demonstrating against the president's opposition to funding of some stem-cell research. Mary Helen Binger, a Salt Lake woman who is a scientist and a member of the Parkinson's Disease Association, said she is concerned about the war, "but I think there are many reasons to be against this administration."

Stem-cell research has the potential of curing Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's and many other serious disorders, she said. "It's just stupid that we are not pursuing this research aggressively in this country."

Another sign listed what one protester believed the nation has lost: "Lives, Rights, Respect, Honesty." Popular stickers worn on demonstrators' chests said, "End the Occupation of Iraq."

"They should bring the soldiers home," a 16-year-old Salt Lake City girl said. "It's not worth it." She said she had permission to miss school for the demonstration.