Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson grabbed national attention Monday for leading an anti-war protest that attracted more than 1,000 demonstrators during President Bush's visit to the Utah capital.
Shortly after urging the crowd at Pioneer Park to chant, "We're not going to take it any more," the mayor was telling the New York Times that the Salt Lake gathering would "be a very pivotal moment in terms of protests of the president."
Meanwhile, his staff juggled interview requests from CNN and ABC News, as well as other national media outlets, as a crowd of protesters ignored the program that was still going on to offer their support to the mayor.
"Thank you, Rocky," several in the crowd said as they jostled to shake Anderson's hand or give him a hug. "Give 'em hell, Rocky," others called out. "Thanks for standing up for your country, Rocky," one said. And someone shouted, "Rocky for president!"
Catherine Legge of Coalville, the mother of a 23-year-old son whom she fears will someday be sent off to war, told the mayor, "You're a national hero."
Anderson smiled, then answered, "You guys are heroes."
The attention may have been more than he expected when he called for "the biggest demonstration this state has ever seen" to be organized for Bush's visit to the annual Veterans of Foreign Wars convention, being held at the Salt Palace.
Anderson said repeatedly to the media he felt an obligation as an elected official to speak out. "This country is headed in the wrong direction," the mayor said, labeling Bush's policies "disastrous" on a wide range of topics, from the war to the environment.
"People are not going to stand for it anymore," he declared. "To have that kind of a message with such force here in Salt Lake City, I think we can expect it now throughout the country."
Earlier in the day, the response to the mayor was much different when he gave a welcome speech to the VFW convention. A few of the 9,000 conventioneers booed when Anderson was introduced.
And although he called for support for the nation's troops, and more assistance to its veterans, Anderson received only polite applause from the convention audience. Other speakers, including Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., were given standing ovations.
Outside the Salt Palace, a few dozen demonstrators waved signs and shouted slogans for and against the president. Some of the Bush supporters also took on the mayor, yelling, "Shame on Rocky" as he entered and exited the convention hall.
Army 1st Lt. Ammon Redd, who was home on leave to visit his family in Farmington, was among the Bush supporters. Redd said Anderson's behavior was "disgraceful" and the protest would energize the insurgents in Iraq.
The mayor, who did not stay for the president's speech, said he meant no disrespect to the veterans by calling for a protest. But he acknowledged some people saw the move as unpatriotic.
"Nobody ought to just blindly follow our political leaders," Anderson said. "That's why these people fought, is for our freedoms to be able to speak out in opposition to our political leaders. I certainly as a political leader have plenty of people speaking out against me."
He said he did not believe his actions would hurt the city's convention business. "What I've done in the city has attracted a lot of conventions," the mayor said. "We're viewed as a very progressive community, belying a lot of perceptions of people outside this state."
One critic of the mayor's actions was Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who "hitched a ride" on Air Force One with Bush. He said that he mentioned the planned protests and Anderson's support of them to the president during the flight.
"He knows there are people who don't like him, and he takes it in stride," Hatch said at the Utah Air National Guard headquarters at Salt Lake International Airport. "He's only bothered when people criticize (his wife) Laura."
While the protests did not faze Bush, Hatch said he was disappointed that Anderson would be such a poor host.
"I like Rocky, but it was very bad form," Hatch said. "Our mayor should welcome every president who comes here and who shows that consideration for our state, whether it's a Democrat or Republican and even if you don't agree with them."
His criticisms went beyond Anderson, as he targeted both the war protesters and fellow congressmen who criticize the war effort.
"I get disappointed in those people who continually undermine our troops, and that includes some members of Congress," he said. "It's pathetic."
Prior to Bush's arrival on Air Force One, the governor said that while he "disagrees" with Anderson, he respects the mayor's right to free speech, because it's the very right which both current soldiers and war veterans enlisted to protect.
"He's able to speak freely on issues important to him, and I hope that right is always preserved," Huntsman said.
Contributing: Josh Loftin
E-mail: lisa@desnews.com