Protestors rally in rain

If turnout for the anti-Bush rally Tuesday was lower than expected because of the rain, the noise and enthusiasm of the crowd was not. \nAs the rain poured down, a group of about 40 or 50 protestors at the Sample Gates yelled, chanted, passed out pamphlets and encouraged the cars driving by to honk against Bush. The protestors later marched down Kirkwood Avenue, chanting anti-Bush rants en route to the Monroe County Courthouse.\nAmidst the chants of "one more week" and "Bush lied, thousands died" were yells from cars driving by on Indiana Avenue, with a passenger shouting "Go W." \nOne sport utility vehicle full of people drove up and the passengers flashed "W" signs by crossing their middle and ring finger, which resulted in a "Bush sucks" shout from some of the protestors. \nResponses from passers-by were also positive, with people blasting their horns in appreciation of the "Honk against Bush" signs spread throughout the crowd.\nThe demonstration was organized by junior Sean Leffer, who used www.thefacebook.com and word of mouth to get the message out about the rally. \n"My goal is to give people a chance to show the reason they are personally against Bush," Leffer said. \nSigns dealing with the War in Iraq, the proposed gay marriage ban and the economy were displayed by protestors. The crowd was mostly made up of students, along with other members of the Bloomington community. \n"I just started an anti-Bush forum on www.facebook.com," Leffer said, "and the number of responses I got made me realize that a lot of people around here had anti-Bush views."\nOne participant who braved the rain to protest Bush was senior Jillian Horn. \n"It just shows how much we think we need change; even in the rain, we got out here," she said. \nWithout the luxury of an umbrella, Horn held up part of a large sheet that had "George Bush, he just doesn't get it," painted on it. \n"It's just like the postal service," said Bloomington resident Frank Harrison, "I'll be here if it rains, shines or sleets. Bush just needs to get out of office."\nFreshman Whitaker Blackall, who held a sign protesting a ban on gay marriage, said he came out for a variety of reasons but gay marriage was one of the main causes.\n"It really bothers me; it's ridiculous," Blackall said, "If two people love each other, there is no reason they should not be allowed to marry." \nAlthough he was not sure how big of an impact the protest would have, he still came out. \n"It probably won't make a big difference. It's just one corner, and I don't even know if it will change one person's vote," he said. "If no one does it, though, these views just won't get out."\n-- Contact staff writer Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.