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Rally puts focus on impeachment

Several groups are getting together in Williams Park for Human Rights Day.

By WAVENEY ANN MOORE
Published December 10, 2006

Like many Americans, Phillip Smith was galvanized by the events of Sept. 11, 2001. He said he changed from being nonchalant about the world around him to wanting to become involved.

In the past weeks, the 25-year-old air conditioning repairman has been distributing hundreds of fliers in downtown St. Petersburg, inviting people to a Human Rights Day gathering today in Williams Park.

The event, a joint effort of activist groups in the Tampa Bay area, will call for the impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney.

Speakers will include Samm Simpson, a Democrat who ran unsuccessfully against U.S. Rep. C. W. Bill Young, in the 10th Congressional District; Charles McKenzie, head of the Florida Rainbow Push Coalition;, and homeless advocate the Rev. Bruce Wright. Smith said groups participating in today's program will include Tampa Bay 9-11 Truth, St. Pete for Peace, Veterans for Peace and Code Pink Tampa Bay.

Those who attend the Williams Park gathering will be invited to participate in what is being billed as the "Do It Yourself Impeachment Project."

"It's a little bit more than a petition," said Smith, adding that the process involves a rarely used clause in the rules of the House of Representatives.

The "impeachment" document will be sent to Washington, he said.

Smith said he distributed about 1,000 fliers about the event in St. Petersburg and sent additional copies to other Pinellas County cities as well as to Pasco and Citrus counties.

He said car pools are being organized for those who attend the St. Petersburg rally for travel to Tampa for a peaceful sidewalk protest at the corner of Columbus and Dale Mabry.

[Last modified December 9, 2006, 20:11:43]