Orange Street divided them.
Supporters of President Bush lined the road’s southern edge; protesters gathered on the northern side.
But they all had one thing in common: They hoped to see the president’s motorcade drive through Lancaster city Friday afternoon on its journey from East Lampeter Township, where the president spoke at Lapp Electrical Service, to York.
“It’s nice to see the spectacle of the presidential motorcade,” Vince DeStefano, of Denver, said.
Downtown traffic was interrupted for a few minutes as the convoy of police motorcycles and cars, buses and sport utility vehicles crept through the city.
Most people on Orange Street, one of several city streets the motorcade traveled, seemed to be enjoying the rare opportunity to get a glimpse of the president.
Others, however, wanted to make sure their voices were heard.
“Even if I’m just one guy, I want the president to see that he is supported,” DeStefano said, “but it seems like negativity will win today.”
Protesters outnumbered the president’s supporters, filling the sidewalk and the stairs of the Wachovia Bank building at Orange and Queen streets.
City resident Kelly Frey stood along the road “just so (Bush) knows that, in Lancaster County, not everyone supports him.”
Many demonstrators held signs condemning the war in Iraq and calling Bush “the real terrorist.”
“The war is immoral and illegal,” said Antonio Callari, an economics professor at Franklin & Marshall College, as he waved a European peace flag.
“Bush is the worst president in the history of the United States.”
Phyllis Spencer of Manheim Township agreed with Callari. Her 19-year-old son, Marine Pfc. Aaron Finefrock, is deployed in Afghanistan.
“He’s defending our country for what?” Spencer said.
City resident Deana Gatlin read Bible passages and prayed aloud for Bush and his administration despite the protesters’ shouts.
“I love my president. We pray for him --- thank God for him,” she said.
In response to Gatlin, the Rev. Daniel Schultz of Lancaster city announced to the crowd, “I believe in God, and I’m voting for John Kerry.”
A group from Macedonia Church in Norwalk, Conn., was walking through Lancaster when they heard about the presidential visit and decided to stop and watch the motorcade.
“We support Bush for what he stands for, not because of the party affiliation,” church member Karen Carter said.
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