Hundreds protest Bush visit to King's tomb, police arrest 2

ATLANTA -- Hundreds of people pushed past Secret Service barricades Thursday to protest President Bush's visit to the tomb of Martin Luther King Jr. on what would have been the civil rights leader's 75th birthday.\nTwo people were arrested as the protesters pushed toward the street in front of King's tomb, abandoning a designated area several hundred yards away.\nAuthorities responded by parking three city buses on the street to block the protesters from the president's motorcade.\nAs Bush arrived, the crowd -- estimated by police at about 700 -- booed and chanted "Bush go home!" Some protesters pounded on the sides of the buses, but no one was injured and the crowd dispersed soon after the president's 15-minute stop.\nBush's visit to observe King's birthday upset some civil rights activists who said the president's policies on Iraq, affirmative action and funding for social services conflict with King's legacy. They also complained that the scheduling conflicted with their own plans to honor King.\nBush placed a wreath on King's grave before heading to a $2,000-a-plate fund-raiser in Atlanta.\nBeating drums and chanting, "In 2004, Bush no more," protesters marched in circles near the tomb. Some held signs that displayed King's image and read, "War is not the answer."\n"When I heard Bush was coming here, I couldn't believe it. I was outraged and disgusted, and I just think it's a photo op. It's so transparent," said Kathy Nicholas, a flight attendant from Atlanta.