KENNEBUNKPORT — About 1,700 demonstrators, led by a man carrying an upside down American flag, marched down Ocean Avenue in Kennebunkport this afternoon just hours before the start of a presidential summit between President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine (Reuters) - More than a thousand anti-war protesters rallied near President George W. Bush's family compound on Sunday as he prepared to host Russian President Vladimir Putin for a fence-mending summit.
Just before Putin's arrival, protesters descending on picturesque Kennebunkport sought to remind Bush of growing U.S. public opposition to the Iraq war, which has damaged his administration's standing at home and abroad.
Taking advantage of blanket media coverage of the summit, some 1,500 demonstrators marched along Ocean Avenue toward the Bush estate, banging drums and carrying peace signs. They chanted "impeach W, impeach Cheney too."
A carnival-like atmosphere prevailed. One woman donned a red gown, tiara and pearls to impersonate a "billionaire for Bush" and some protesters pulled a wooden coffin with a statue of liberty inside it.
"I'm sick of the war," said Mike Miles, 55, dressed in prison stripes to symbolize what he called "criminal behavior" by Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.
More Bush protest photos here.
Bush Putin Politics Protest Photos Maine News Kennebunkport Pictures
