Protest against Bush's Commutation of Libby

NATICK - Women upset about President Bush's policies and recent commutation of I. Lewis Libby's prison sentence protested during yesterday's Fourth of July parade.

The group of four women stood on a hill in front of the First Congregational Church on East Central Street.

"The Fourth of July is about freedom," said Louise Coleman, a member of Peace Abbey in Sherborn. "I'm very concerned about our loss of freedom. The president is doing whatever he wants."

The timing of the protest, Coleman said, is mostly a result of recent actions Bush has taken. Bush on Monday commuted "Scooter" Libby's 30-month prison sentence.

The decision came five hours after a Federal Appeals Panel ruled that Libby could not delay his prison term. The commutation means Libby will still have to pay a $250,000 fine and serve years of probation for his conviction of lying and obstructing justice in a probe into the leak of a CIA operative's identity.

During yesterday's protest, the women held signs calling for Bush's impeachment and to end the Iraq war.

One of the signs read: "Paris serves more time than Libby," a reference to celebutante Paris Hilton's recent jailing for violating probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case.

While they protested, most people in the immediate area had their attention on the street, where the 52nd annual parade was passing by.

Some people approached Coleman and expressed their discontent. Coleman said they asked why they were protesting on the Fourth of July.

About 30 people complained to her group, said Coleman. "Some people were telling us to go away," she said. "Somebody has to stand here."

Marcia Hutchinson, of Sherborn said protesting is free speech, and she shouldn't have to explain herself to the public.

"I don't say anything," said Hutchinson. "If we have come to the point where I have to point that out, I don't have free speech."

Kim Nguyen, another protester, held a rainbow flag that said: Peace. She said Bush's commutation was unlawful.

"He didn't go through any protocol," she said. "This isn't a small thing, this is the security of our country."

Bush said in a statement Monday: "I respect the jury's verdict ... I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive."