How to Shut Protesters Up: A White House Guidebook

ACLU lawsuit forces release of manual
By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 22, 2007 6:58 PM CDT

A lawsuit sparked by two protesters wearing anti-Bush T-shirts has forced the White House to reveal its guidebook on dealing with dissenters, the Washington Post reports. The manual calls for a "protest area" separate from event sites and roaming "rally squads" to drown out demonstrators who infiltrate the audience. Chants of “USA! USA! USA!” are preferred.

Washington released the manual after the ACLU sued on behalf of protesters who were arrested at a July Fourth speech in 2004. The administration settled for $80,000 in the First Amendment suit last week but admits no wrongdoing. A White House spokesman declined to discuss the manual, which has “Sensitive – Do Not Copy” stamped on the cover. (More White House stories.)

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