July 1st, 2007
04:57 PM ET
Comments (9 comments)
12 years ago

Protesters march near Bush compound

KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine (CNN) - Close to a thousand protesters took part in a large march ahead of Sunday’s meeting between President Bush and Russian President Putin at the Bush family compound.

Demonstrators gathered in Kennebunkport, carrying signs against the war and calling for the impeachment of Mr. Bush. Some protesters wore orange prison jumpsuits against Guantanamo Bay, and had black chains and masks. At one point, a group put up a 7-foot replica of the Statue of Liberty, There were some signs against Putin, but most of the protest centered on US politics.

Protesters rallied and marched to a checkpoint near the Bush family compound at Walker’s Point. A group of about 50 stayed at the checkpoint before moving. A heavy police presence was in the area, including officers in riot gear. 3 people were detained from crossing the checkpoint. Several counter protesters also turned out, but overall the protest was peaceful and there were no serious incidents.

- CNN's Erika Dimmler and Steve Brusk
Filed under: President Bush
July 1st, 2007
01:01 PM ET
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12 years ago

Clyburn: Bill failed "because the president failed"

WASHINGTON (CNN)–Congressman James Clyburn (D – South Carolina) put the blame on President Bush for the failed immigration. Today on CNN’s Late Edition, the Majority Whip said, “it failed because the president failed. I have been a part of those meetings with the president since back in January. In every meeting, the president made it very clear to us that immigration reform was one of his top priorities. He indicated to us that he was prepared to bring at least half of the Republicans in the Senate along and about 75 Republicans in the House. He failed. And the obstructionists won.”

Congressman Peter King (R – New York) thought the bill was not what the American people wanted: “The reason it died is because the American people spoke out. And the president did try to deliver, but he couldn't because certainly the Republicans were independent and did not want this bill. I've never seen more of a disconnect between the American people and the electoral elite and media elite than on this issue.”

- CNN Associate Producer Jennifer Burch
Filed under: Immigration
July 1st, 2007
11:24 AM ET
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12 years ago

Chertoff to Hunter: Border fence "overly simplistic"

WASHINGTON (CNN)–Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff defended his agency’s progress on border security this morning against attacks from Republican presidential candidate Duncan Hunter. On CNN’s Late Edition, Chertoff said, “fencing has a symbolic value, and it has usefulness in some parts of the border. And we're going to use it where it is effective. But the idea that you are going to solve the problem simply by building a fence is undercut by the fact that yesterday we discovered a tunnel. So the idea that fencing alone is a solution I think is overly simplistic.”

In an appearance two weeks ago on Late Edition, Congressman Hunter (R – California) took on Chertoff, saying, “If you're going to have more border enforcement, why do you cut the border fence in half and leave New Mexico and Texas wide open for people to come in?” Hunter added, “Mr. Chertoff is charged with securing the border. And the one thing he's not doing - he's appearing on lots of talk shows, he is not securing the border.”

- CNN Associate Producer Jennifer Burch
Filed under: Duncan Hunter • Immigration