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Bush protester raises fine payment at rally Jacob Jordan / The Associated Press | February 25 2006 COLUMBIA - Longtime political activist Brett Bursey held a rally Friday - outside the courthouse where he was convicted - to raise money for the $500 fine he received after entering a restricted area during a visit by President Bush. More than 50 people gathered to support Bursey, many standing in line to drop cash into a box labeled "free speech fund." Bursey fought his conviction for a couple of years, but last month the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his appeal. Bursey, 57, was arrested in October 2002 at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport near a hangar where Bush was speaking to supporters. Law enforcement told Bursey, who was holding a bullhorn and placard that read "No war for oil," that he needed to leave the area and go to the free-speech zone, but Bursey refused. He was arrested and initially charged with trespassing, though that was dropped in favor of a federal charge. Leading cheers of "America is a free-speech zone," Bursey thanked supporters and urged them to speak out against the Bush administration and changes to the Patriot Act, which would expand law enforcement authority during presidential visits. "It's up to each one of you to feel that power that comes from standing up and exercising your rights as an American," Bursey said. Bursey had faced jail time for his conviction, but U.S. Magistrate Bristow Marchant said he was protesting peacefully and had not engaged in any "wantonly criminal" act. Columbia attorney Jay Bender, who has represented protesters, called Bursey's arrest a "travesty." ---------------------------------------------------
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