Boulder, Co. — Former attorney general, John Ashcroft was in town Tuesday night speaking at the University of Colorado. The event was sponsored by the CU Student Union’s Cultural Events Board and drew a crowd of about 500. The talk was entitled “Freedom and Security in Post 9/11 America”. For a modest $5.00 ticket price the public either paid to listen, or heckle this former Bush official. At times the heckling was non-stop.

Before filing into the auditorium students and the general public were searched by police and striped of all video cameras, audio recording devices, and liquids of any sort. Still cameras were however permitted.

With in a few minutes into John Ashcroft’s speech, a group of silent protesters from Students for Peace and Justice stood up in unison and turned their back on him baring stenciled white shirts with the words “Shame” and “How would a real patriot act.” Tied over their eyes and mouths were American flag bandanas. The group would remain standing quietly for almost 10 minutes before being asked to sit down or leave by event organizers.

Ashcroft paid no attention to this group of students and proceeded with the message he came to deliver. Like a salesman trying earnestly to get you to buy his snake oil he peddled sales pitch, after sales pitch. It was like watching a Fox newscast on steroids.

As the speech progressed, it became quite evident that those in attendance would not stand for Mr. Ashcroft’s feeble attempt at convincing the audience he was indeed a constitutionalist, and that the Patriot Act which he helped pen did not violate the Bill of Rights. This rhetoric often resulted in loud gasps, and angry shouts from those in the audience who disagreed. The former attorney general jokingly responded to such outbursts by insinuating that they may need “medical attention”, or smugly proclaiming that maybe they just “need to be medicated.”

One would wonder what Ashcroft was expecting when he agreed to speak at CU in Boulder, Colorado, which boasts a large Libertarian population. Not only are they aware of what’s written in the Constitution they are also quick to point out that it was originally drafted on hemp.

Judging by the mild applause that Ashcroft received, probably half or less then half of those in attendance actually supported him. However these supporters were no where to be found during question and answer time as the disapproving majority jumped in lines behind the microphones in order to seek answers to their Constitutional concerns.

The questions were fierce, direct and well researched. No one held back. They asked him about torture, our reputation in the world, the missing Weapons of Mass Destruction, and how we failed to capture Osama Bin Laden. They defended the Bill of Rights admirably, and spoke about the founding fathers.

Unfortunately Ashcroft did everything but answer the questions. The crowd intently watched the stage as this lawyer danced in the rain without getting wet. However avoiding the questions only infuriated the crowd and soon dozens of people just began shouting questions to Ashcroft. That’s when the question and answer session ended. For some reason Mr. Ashcroft thought that he could come to the front of the stage and maybe sign some autographs, and that the persistent questioners would simple turn around and leave now that the question and answer session officially was ended. Was he ever wrong! More than three dozen people met him there at the front of the stage demanding answers, and after only one autograph John quickly fled backstage.

It was a tough night for John, he certainly had to work for the $20,000 that he was paid for his attendance. You can watch all the nights events in the video below which was released by WeAreChangeColorado.org and TruthAlliance.net. However not all of the protests and confrontation methods can be attributed to these two groups, as there were other protest groups at the event as well. Including vflog.com, Students for Peace and Justice, and numerous concerned citizens not affiliated with any group.

Extended Version (Includes audience questions and more)