Protests Planned During George W. Bush's Visit To Riverside County

Various organizations, including Occupy groups, announced today they will protest former President George W. Bush's role in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan when he speaks at a local government gathering in Cabazon on Thursday.

Bush is scheduled to give the keynote speech at the Western Riverside Council of Governments' annual General Assembly at Morongo Casino, according to the Press-Enterprise newspaper. The Western Riverside Council of Governments didn't immediately confirm Bush's attendance, and the meeting's agenda didn't list his appearance. However, on June 11 Janis Leonard with WRCOG said tickets for the leadership address by Bush are sold out.  The speech is closed to the public and the media alike.

The organizations planning to protest Bush's appearance include Coachella Valley and Riverside Occupy groups, Veterans for Peace and the Los Angeles chapter of ANSWER -- Act Now to Stop War and End Racism.

The Western Riverside Council of Governments includes Riverside County, 17 cities -- among them Lake Elsinore and Wildomar -- and two water districts. The General Assembly receives corporate funding -- no public money will be used to pay to bring Bush to the gathering, according to the Press-Enterprise. --City News Service