Friends and Foes Greet the Veep

Downtown Riverside turned into a political carnival Tuesday as supporters and opponents of Vice President Dick Cheney turned out to greet his speech at the Mission Inn.

Some of the Republican faithful paid $1,000 to attend the fundraising dinner in support of GOP senatorial candidate Bill Jones, and a number of others brandished Bush-Cheney signs to greet the vice president as temperatures hovered in the 90s.

Madeleine Visca said she came from Laguna Beach to support Jones and Cheney because they are strongly opposed to same-sex marriage and abortion.

“This election is very crucial, and people need to see these black-and-white issues,” said Visca, a former teacher.

Outside the hotel, a small group of Republican supporters was overwhelmed by a group of about 50 protesters bearing bullhorns and posters.

Although the protests were mostly peaceful, there were at least two arrests. A man who identified himself as Steve and a teenager marching with a protest group began throwing punches and kicks at each other and were taken away by police.

Despite the sometimes confrontational atmosphere, most people seemed to enjoy the opportunity to be there.

Janice Bush, who assured everyone she was not related to the president, said she has long supported liberal causes.

The 53-year-old special-education teacher from Riverside said she wanted to show her support for Sen. John F. Kerry of Massachusetts, the presumed Democratic presidential nominee. And she wanted to be a part of the action.

“I think this is exciting,” she said. “This is what it’s all about.”

The corner of Mission Avenue and Orange Street was the center of activity, with adjacent streets closed for security reasons. Riverside police spokeswoman Michele Jackson had said Monday that the department did not expect a large disruption, but mobile police units were in force Tuesday.

A few signs supported Sen. Barbara Boxer, Jones’ Democratic opponent, and some demonstrators were there to support labor, education and other causes. But the overwhelming themes of the protesters were opposition to the war in Iraq and President Bush.

“This war is the worst thing anyone could do for this country,” said Sheri Anderson, 58, a special education teacher from San Bernardino.

Cheney supporter Rose Bond, 57, of Thousand Oaks said some of the protesters poured water on her head. She said she had come to support her son, who is on his second tour of duty in Iraq. “As long as there are boys over there in the war,” Bond, 57, said, “we’re supporting [the president].”