Bush in South Florida - protested everywhere he goes

Protesters rally outside private fund-raiser attended by Bush

By Kelli Kennedy / Associated Press

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - About 50 people gathered outside a gated community to protest the Bush administration and Iraq war Monday, as President Bush arrived for a private fund-raiser.

Bush was to attend the fund-raiser for Republican Rep. Clay Shaw who is running against Democratic Sen. Ron Klein in the 22nd Congressional District - a seat that has statewide significance for both parties. It was to be held at a lagoon-side mansion owned by Mike Maroone, president and chief operating officer of AutoNation Inc., the largest U.S. auto retailer.

Protesters held signs that said "Stop oil addiction" and "Hands off my civil rights," while chanting "No blood for oil," as the president's motorcade rolled up around 5:10 p.m.

"We're extremely concerned that this war has turned into another Vietnam," said protest organizer Kathleen Healey, 45, of Fort Lauderdale.

A handful of teenagers also turned out for the event, shouting anti-war slogans over a microphone.

Nikki Boortz, 17, and her brother, Ty, 14, drove from Boca Raton.

"I don't think it's fair. I don't like how so many Iraqi civilians and children are dying," Nikki Boortz said.

Dressed in wide brim straw hats and floral aprons, a group from the Raging Grannies said Bush was also in town to promote a prescription drug care plan.

The president is to appear at Broward Community College's North Campus in Coconut Creek Tuesday morning for a Medicare prescription drug benefit enrollment.

"It's an attempt to get his toe in the door to privatize Medicare and Social Security," said Mary Jane Mullins, 75, of Deerfield Beach. "All of this country is being sold to corporate interests."

Lauren Fabian brought her two young children to the demonstration. Her three-year-old daughter Sasha has already been asking about the Iraq war.

"I told her a lot of the children there were getting hurt," said Fabian, 36, of Fort Lauderdale. "I want to teach my children to question things."

When asked what her tiny "No War" sign meant, Sasha said simply, "Peace."