From Deseret News archives:
Protests and rallies pop up
On a popular corner of BYU's campus, where many graduates traditionally pause to take pictures of the school's "Enter to learn, go forth to serve" sign, members of the BYU College Democrats hosted a rally for peace that drew about 100 people, including non-students and veterans who came to protest Cheney's visit and the war in Iraq.
Down the street, in front of the Provo City Library at Academy Square, some 30 people attended a Republican-sponsored rally in support of Cheney, which was organized by a group calling itself the "We Support America Committee" and bedecked with American flags.
Only a couple dozen people stood on Washington Square in Salt Lake City, protesting Cheney's visit and asking for an end to war.
Aside from occasional shouts of derision and obscene hand gestures, most of the rallies in Provo concluded peacefully about 2:30 p.m. Participants said they appreciated the opportunity to voice their opinions.
"Part of the reason why we're out here is to raise awareness and have a dialogue," said Diana Smith, a member of the BYU College Democrats, as a car drove by, blasting its horn. "He just gave us the finger."
The BYU Democrats organized an initial protest of Cheney's visit on the school's campus on April 4. The students also received advance permission from the school to host the Thursday protest.
Those who were non-students were kept separate from the BYU College Democrats — they stood on public property instead of the school's private property — as per the school's request.
Aaron Davis, who organized the Veterans for Peace protest across the street, likened his protest to the rallies that occurred around the Vietnam War, saying he is on a mission to bring deployed U.S. troops home. He said that speaking out against the war was almost therapeutic for him and other veterans.
"In doing this (protest), our veterans are able to talk, they're able to march," Davis said. "The College Democrats have more people here than we do, but that's great because now we have a discourse. We're not hiding (our opposition). We have to do something. We can't stand idly by."
Although the rallies were all nonviolent, some harsh words were exchanged by both those who came out to support or oppose Cheney.
"We just keep our fingers crossed and our hopes up that we'll be able to do something to correct the corruption in our government," said protester Dan Kennelly of Sandy, who attended rallies in both Salt Lake City and Provo. "We protest all of the idiots from the top on down."
