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--> --> Protesters of all ages gather outside the Jackson County Fairgrounds within eyesight of the Compton Arena where President Bush spoke Thursday. Ashland Daily Tidings/CHRIS MILLER The Bush visit: Protesting a president By Sean Wolfe Ashland Daily Tidings CENTRAL POINT - Ignoring a designated "free speech zone" which would have placed some 500 protesters behind a barbed wire fence to observe the departure of President Bush's motorcade, some 50 activists took to the street where they confronted police outfitted in riot gear. But the scene did not achieve the flashpoint that similar demonstrations did in Portland on Thursday, in part because of the demonstrators' peaceful demeanor, and in part due to some quick decisions made by Jackson County Sheriff's Lt. Dewey Patton - who was prepared to fill a bus with arrestees, but ultimately stayed his hand. Only one person was arrested, Jonnie Lieberman, 47, of Ashland, who was lodged at Jackson County Jail, and was bailed out around 9 p.m. on Thursday. She was charged with trespass and interfering with a police officer. Speaking to The Tidings by phone this morning, Lieberman confirmed the details of her arrest, but declined further comment pending advice from her attorney. More arrests appeared to be in the offing as protesters took to Peninger Road, the designated route for the presidential motorcade. At 12:35 p.m. Thursday, Patton - broadcasting from his bullhorn - ordered protesters to clear the streets and roadsides, and to return behind the fence by 1 p.m., or face arrest. In an interview with The Tidings at the scene of the confrontation, Patton said "If they don't clear the road, if they won't comply, then people will be arrested. I'm going to give them another order or two," Patton said. Patton then checked his watch: 12:40 p.m. The time of President Bush's scheduled departure from the Compton Arena at the Jackson County Expo Fairgrounds was 1:35 p.m., and Patton had orders to clear the road. "But we've got a little more time," Patton said. At 12:45 p.m., Patton ordered his officers to ready themselves, and the scene became tense. Thirteen officers outfitted with yard-long black batons, knee-pads, helmets, flak vests, and other modern armor formed an imposing line across the street. A group of protesters sat in the street about 25 feet away from the police lines. Mothers had infants in their laps, and teen-aged skateboarders performed tricks. Most were content to offer chants, shout slogans, and beat drums and chimes. One protester came forward and placed bouquets at the feet of the riot police. A mother came forward and introduced her child to one of the officers in riot gear, who raised his visor and smiled. In a telephone interview today with The Tidings, Patton said that at 1 p.m. he received news "from higher up in the food chain" that the president's motorcade had been rerouted. Patton ordered his men to hold the line, but news leaked out to the crowd which dispersed over the next hour. "I was relieved. We don't want to get in a wrestling match in the road. I respect people's rights to free speech, but if you block the road, then we've got to open the road," Patton said. The protesters represented a wide demographic ranging from infants to retirees. Congressional candidate Peter Buckley, who will oppose Rep. Greg Walden this November, threw in his lot with the protesters, and said he was prepared to be arrested if it came to that. "I think it's important to stand with those who are voicing opposition to this administration. He has a record of siding with big business, and if he has a balanced policy to propose on forest health, I'd like to hear it. But I haven't heard it yet," Buckley said. Attorney Brenna Bell, 27, who was among those confronting police, told The Tidings that the protesters were within their rights to be on the sides of the road. "They say we can't be there, but if they arrest us, we will be within our rights to seek redress for assembling on public land. The side of the road belongs to the public," Bell said. "Clearly, it's the position of the Bush administration that anyone who disagrees with their positions should be behind barbed wire." Artist and counselor Dot Fisher-Smith, 74, - an Ashlander for 21 years - said she was there to protest "just about everything." "It's him, and the people for whom he is a puppet. His policies are all for the rich, and not for the people." Jay Lininger, formerly of Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center and now in graduate school in Montana, said he had returned to Oregon especially for the Bush visit. "This is democracy in America now: Police intimidation, just because there are protesters who disagree with the president's policies. It's too bad that King George chose not to hear from the folks who want to maintain the public process on forest planning." Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing