Fight breaks out between Bush supporter and a protester after rally
Nick Frey
Issue date: 9/23/04 Section: News
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Nick Frey
Scuffle between a Protestor and Bush supporter.
After First Lady Laura Bush's visit to East Stroudsburg University last Friday, there was an argument between a President George W. Bush supporter, Jamie, and protestor, Nichole Genco, as Genco allegedly slapped Jamie across the face as spectators were exiting Koehler Field House.
Jamie, along with her two friends Valerie and Lauren, and her mom, who requested their last names be withheld, were headed to their car parked behind Kemp Library. A group of approximately 75 protestors were located on the corner of Smith Street and Normal Street, rallying against the Bush administration.
According to Genco, the girls taunted the protestors by singing and dancing while crossing Smith Street opposite them. "They were provoking us when they were in line earlier," she said. "It was getting us upset."
Jamie's mother said that the girls were yelling "Four more years," in reference to the possibility of Bush being re-elected for a second term in the White House.
Both Jamie and Genco admit that it was Genco and another protestor who did the initial approach as she crossed Smith Street towards Kemp Library. Allegedly, the girls claim Genco made a religious comment that offended them, as they all attend a local Catholic high school.
At this point Jamie's mother interrupted the argument between the two girls. Jamie's mom claims she told Genco and the other protestor, "Yes everyone has the right to their opinion. These girls are here for a Bush rally, you are here to protest. Go back to your side of the street.'"
Jamie claims Genco proceeded to yell back at her mother and used some curse words, which Genco denied. Genco said she attempted to speak to the mother in a "normal conversation."
Both stated that Jamie came back into the conversation to defend her mother. "I told her that she can't talk to my mother like that," said Jamie.
Genco said that Jamie got a couple of inches away from her face. "Out of frustration, I tried to push her away and touched her face," Genco said. "It wasn't a slap, it was a tap."
However, Jamie and her friends have an opposite view. "[Genco] slapped Jamie right across the face," said Lauren. "We didn't use any bad language, but they did."
Genco did not want this disagreement to escalate to where it did. "I'm just here to protest, not fight," she said. "I think it's for a good cause."
Jamie has nothing against such demonstrations, saying: "Everyone has the right to their opinion and the right to protest," said Jamie.
Genco was given a citation by the ESU police for harassment.
Scuffle between a Protestor and Bush supporter.
After First Lady Laura Bush's visit to East Stroudsburg University last Friday, there was an argument between a President George W. Bush supporter, Jamie, and protestor, Nichole Genco, as Genco allegedly slapped Jamie across the face as spectators were exiting Koehler Field House.
Jamie, along with her two friends Valerie and Lauren, and her mom, who requested their last names be withheld, were headed to their car parked behind Kemp Library. A group of approximately 75 protestors were located on the corner of Smith Street and Normal Street, rallying against the Bush administration.
According to Genco, the girls taunted the protestors by singing and dancing while crossing Smith Street opposite them. "They were provoking us when they were in line earlier," she said. "It was getting us upset."
Jamie's mother said that the girls were yelling "Four more years," in reference to the possibility of Bush being re-elected for a second term in the White House.
Both Jamie and Genco admit that it was Genco and another protestor who did the initial approach as she crossed Smith Street towards Kemp Library. Allegedly, the girls claim Genco made a religious comment that offended them, as they all attend a local Catholic high school.
At this point Jamie's mother interrupted the argument between the two girls. Jamie's mom claims she told Genco and the other protestor, "Yes everyone has the right to their opinion. These girls are here for a Bush rally, you are here to protest. Go back to your side of the street.'"
Jamie claims Genco proceeded to yell back at her mother and used some curse words, which Genco denied. Genco said she attempted to speak to the mother in a "normal conversation."
Both stated that Jamie came back into the conversation to defend her mother. "I told her that she can't talk to my mother like that," said Jamie.
Genco said that Jamie got a couple of inches away from her face. "Out of frustration, I tried to push her away and touched her face," Genco said. "It wasn't a slap, it was a tap."
However, Jamie and her friends have an opposite view. "[Genco] slapped Jamie right across the face," said Lauren. "We didn't use any bad language, but they did."
Genco did not want this disagreement to escalate to where it did. "I'm just here to protest, not fight," she said. "I think it's for a good cause."
Jamie has nothing against such demonstrations, saying: "Everyone has the right to their opinion and the right to protest," said Jamie.
Genco was given a citation by the ESU police for harassment.