(left image) Karl Rove, author of "Courage and Consequence", shakes hands with four-year-old James Pletsch and his mother Sarah during his book signing tour visit to Provo . Rove served as Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush from 2000 to 2007 and Deputy Chief of Staff from 2004 to 2007.
(right image) An anonymous protester stands outside a Border's bookstore in Provo expressing strong disapproval for Rove's visit to Provo and the release of his new book.
A couple of weeks ago I was assigned to take pictures of Karl Rove's book signing event in Provo. I really didn't know who Karl Rove was but it was obvious that the Press did. When I showed up at Border's bookstore there were three other photographers from the Trib, DesNews, Herald and a handful of reporters.
Outside the store, however, the welcoming party for Rove wasn't so welcoming. A large bearded man with a V for Vendetta mask and two other college kids were carrying signs accusing Rove of being a criminal and protesting his visit to Provo.
As I casually snapped a few photos of the protesters I overheard the masked-man say that one of the problems with protesting is that most people take one quick glance at them, look away, and never even read their signs (maybe its the mask, hmmm).
But it's true. And that used to be me. I've gotten better though, and certainly more sympathetic for protesters and activists now that my older brother is often one of the protesters carrying a sign. He is a dedicated pacifists and founder of his own newspaper The Mormon Worker.
Unfortunately, protesters get the stigma of being wackos or extremists... nope, that's just my brother... and your brother... who believe in something strong enough to try and do something about it.
So next time you see one, stop and chat with your friendly neighborhood protester. You might learn something.
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