Protesters arrested outside Bush’s speech in Calgary

Edmonton Sun

By SUN MEDIA and THE CANADIAN PRESS

CALGARY - Police have arrested one man for obstruction and assaulting an officer at an anti-George W. Bush rally in Calgary Tuesday.

He shouted that Bush was a war criminal and claimed he wanted to make a citizen’s arrest.

As 1500 guests lined up in front of the Telus Convention Centre awaiting a luncheon and speech by Bush, hundreds of protesters greeted them with signs and loud chanting voices expressing their opposition to the former U.S. president's visit.

About 60 Calgary police officers kept between 200 and 300 protesters at bay outside the building

The protest was mainly peaceful.

It’s one of the first public appearances Bush has made since leaving the presidency in January with a dismal approval rating and much of the blame for his country’s collapsing economy.

He’s to address a business luncheon for up to 1,500 people invited by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

A couple of hundred people lined up early to go through a special security screening room before entering the Convention Centre where Bush is speaking.