Activists Plan To Protest Bush's Dana Point Visit

Activists plan to protest Bush's Dana Point visit
By Vik Jolly | Orange County Register

"The prestigious Cardinal John J. O'Connor Pro-Life Award is being given in response to the former president's eight years of pro-life legislation. Legatus cites his administration's opposition to embryonic stem cell research, an executive order barring federal funds from being used for abortion related projects abroad, the appointment of two pro-life Supreme Court Justices and a rule protecting federally funded health employees from taking part in abortion or practices that conflict with their faith as policies that Bush helped enact during his presidency," the Catholic News Agency reported.

According to the Legatus magazine website, "In one of his of his last acts as president, Bush declared Jan. 18, 2009, as "National Sanctity of Human Life Day," stating that the "the most basic duty of government is to protect the life of the innocent."

Peace activists are planning on Thursday to protest George W. Bush's visit here to speak and accept an award for his pro-life efforts at a Catholic summit, even though it is not entirely clear when specifically the former president will attend.

It is "outrageous that he's receiving a pro-life award," said Sharon Tipton, an organizer of the protest with a group called the Orange County Peace Coalition, which she described as an umbrella group for other local peace organizations.

"It's an Orwellian irony because Bush has caused so many deaths with an illegal war," she said.

Legatus, a Catholic organization for business and civic leaders, is holding its annual summit Thursday through Saturday at the St. Regis resort, where Bush is expected to be honored.

Registration is $1,475 per person for the event, open only to members and guests.

John Hunt, executive director of the Ave Maria, Fla.-based organization, has confirmed that the former president will attend. No other details have been made public.

Hunt, who could not be reached for comment by e-mail or telephone about the planned protest, has previously declined to specify when during the three-day event Bush will be present.

"His appearance is going to be a private appearance on behalf of our organization," said Hunt in a telephone interview last month. "He will be delivering remarks for us and all of that will be a private presentation." Read more.