
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, May 17, 1993                   TAG: 9305170088
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Dwayne Yancey
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

PROTESTERS, POLICE USUALLY PART OF SHOW

Oliver North often draws more than just Republicans when he speaks around Virginia.

He draws protesters - and police.

Roanoke County Republican chairman Al Thomason said he requested a police presence for North's appearance Saturday night at Cave Spring High School because he expected demonstrators on hand.

"That's typical for an Oliver North appearance," Thomason said.

At least two Roanoke County police officers arrived - as did three protesters affiliated with the Plowshare Peace Center.

When North began to speak, the protesters stood up at the back of the crowd and unfurled a big banner that read: "Liars, Murderers and Thieves Belong in Prison, Not in Congress."

North ignored them, but some in the crowd jeered the demonstrators. Finally, one man grabbed the banner away, and the audience erupted in applause.

Pat Pratali, one of the protesters, dismissed the banner's seizure as "a typical Marine tactic." She said the demonstrators "felt somebody needed to wake up people and get them to remember what happened, what the crimes were against the country, not to mention the people of Central America."

Keywords:
POLITICS

by CNB