As some of you may have heard, Karl Rove spoke last night at the University of Iowa. He was paid $40,000 for the gig, and 24,000 came directly from the students. Let's be clear about one thing, we (the students) did not want him here.
Roughly two hundred people showed up to protest the event, which itself one had 1100 people show up (including the aforementioned protesters). Cameras were only allowed for the first five minutes of his speech, which consisted of him being introduced and thanking people, then secrecy that is his legacy.
There are some great stories of what happened next...
From the Daily Iowan:
A woman charged up an aisle, her hands shaking, as she called for Rove to be arrested. And in a row near the front, a veteran told a different 84-year-old veteran to "F--- off" when he asked him to stop shouting.
We even made CNN:
At one point during the speech, Rove reportedly lashed out at some of the students, saying, "You got a chance to ask your questions later and make your stupid statements, let me make mine."
"Toward the end of the speech a member of the crowd yelled, "Can we have our $40,000 back?"
Rove replied, "No, you can't."
After the talk was over came the interesting part. I am a member of the University of Iowa Anti-war Committee (affiliated with CAN, Campus Anti-war Network). While I was not about to attend, I did obtain supplies for a giant fake check that a member of our group in a Karl Rove mask tried to get the chairperson of the lecture committee to sign.
Through people we knew on campus we also learn of his eating place that night, and we decided that we would attempt a citizen's arrest for war crimes and treason. From a friends blog.
"Karl Rove, we know you're in there," I said through the bullhorn. "We have the place surrounded. Come out with your hands up."
Students began pouring out of their apartments, many joined our picketline, we received alot of support, and two guys even brought us hot coffee. When Rove tried to sneak out the back door, we ran around to Dubuque Street and blocked his escape route out of the alley. Rove ran back inside and eventually walked out the front door and drove off.
Iowa City police were stationed in a squad car outside of 126 part of the time, but they never asked us to leave or to turn off the amplified noise.
It is interesting to note that our group was received warmly by the community despite having a bullhorn at 9pm on a Sunday in a public place. The police didn't even really bat an eye, which is a nice change from my 2004 experience. The mood has soured enough that acts of civil disobedience against those involved in starting this war, are not only tolerated but encouraged by the public.
One last note, there was also a concert we had "Seeds of Dissent":
"You can't be a traitor and call yourself loyal, hey Mr. Rove I hope you choke on your oil," Alemao sang.
On another note CAN is holding a Midwest regional meeting here in Iowa City soonish, if any of you know of any campus anti-war groups please feel pass that info along. We want this to be as big as possible.
And we have a week of action (Peace Week/Week of Reflection) from March 24-28. Check out our events and come if you can.
Peace
And I will answer questions in the comments for a bit.
Update 12.53pm Central: Here is a photo gallery showing the fake check.