PRIYA SHARMA Several hundred protesters gathered in front
of the Federal Building Saturday, crowding all four corners of the
intersection between Wilshire Boulevard and Veteran Avenue,
demanding a revote.
By Karen Albrecht
Daily Bruin Contributor
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered for a “Pro-Democracy
Protest” in front of the Federal Building Saturday afternoon,
calling for a revote in Palm Beach county, Fla., and chanting
“We want Gore!”
The demonstration followed complaints by some Palm Beach voters
that a misleading ballot caused them to vote for Reform Party
candidate Pat Buchanan instead of Al Gore.
“A revote is the moral thing to do,” said protester
Micki Sackler, executive assistant for the Fox Movie
Channel. “In a vote this close it is criminal to let
this stand.”
Currently, the George W. Bush campaign is attempting to persuade
a federal judge to act against the recent motion for a hand recount
in Palm Beach. In Volusia county, Fla., the results from a hand
recount should be available by Tuesday evening.
Demonstrators crowded all four corners at the intersection of
Veteran Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard, with posters declaring:
“The truth is worth the wait,” “Democracy, not
hypocrisy,” and “Every vote counts.” In the
streets, drivers showed their support with continuous honking.
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Among the crowd of mostly Democrats wearing Gore stickers, very
few sported Bush signs. Â Between statements of disapproval by
other demonstrators, Woody Hughes, with Bush sign in hand,
expressed his support for a fair election.
“I’m supportive of a popular vote,” he
said. “It’s true that every vote counts and I
would like to see an honest vote.”
Rather than taking premature action, said first-time protester
Richard Babcock, the people should wait until the final result of
the vote is pronounced.
“People are upset and are in a hurry to have a
result,” he said, adding that Gore should just
wait.Â
The people, he said, should support the vice president and
alleviate some of the pressure he is receiving from the public and
from within his own party.
But some demonstrators emphasized the glitches in the voting
process that surfaced due to this unusually close election.
“I’m not here because of either one of (the
candidates),” said Henry Stapp, whose wife and mother-in-law
were also at the protest Saturday. Â “This is about
democracy and making the system work.”
Inconsistencies in the election process have certainly occurred
in the past, Brandy Troche said, but this is the first time such
problems have received significant publicity.
“This is about the future generations’ rights to
vote,” she said. Â
Despite general discontent with the Florida situation, many
people at Saturday’s protest said this close election
reaffirms the nation’s democracy, emphasizing the importance
of each vote.
“I think it is fabulous that people are realizing that
their vote really does count,” Sackler said.
In agreement, Babcock defended United States election policy,
citing Winston Churchill’s statement that “democracy is
the “˜worst’ form of government except all those
others.”
This statement, according to Babcock, applies well to the
current situation.
A comparatively small group of Republicans protesting a recount
in Florida gathered Sunday afternoon at the same location.
Another protest is scheduled next Saturday at the Federal
Building, following the official count of all overseas absentee
ballots.