Protesters preparing for president's visit

When President Bush flies in Friday morning — his first visit to the Seattle area in about two years — a cadre of groups will be on hand to protest Bush's policies on the Iraq war, Medicare, schools and abortion.

Bush will attend a $1,000-a-head fundraiser for Congressman Dave Reichert's re-election campaign at a Microsoft executive's mansion in Medina. He is scheduled to arrive at the event at 10:45 a.m. and fly out in the afternoon in time for another congressional fundraiser in New Mexico.

But that's plenty of time for protesters "to voice their discontent," said Anthony Vicari, an Everett activist who organized protests when Bush visited Medina in August 2004.

Organizers say they expect 200 people to attend a rally in Bellevue's Downtown Park, 10201 N.E. Fourth St., at 9:30 a.m. They are also considering marching, either in the park or on the sidewalks, holding signs in kayaks and boats on Lake Washington and holding a separate protest in Medina.

As many as a dozen groups are planning to protest, organizers say, although the details may not coalesce until Thursday night.

"It's just scattershot," Vicari said. "It's all over the place."

The state Democratic Party, on the other hand, has firm plans for a large rally in Seattle at noon. The location has yet to be announced. Party leaders and Reichert's opponent, Darcy Burner, will speak, said party spokesman Kelly Steele.

Medina Police Chief Jeff Chen said his officers will enforce rules that bar protesters from blocking car or pedestrian traffic. The City Council also passed an ordinance last year that requires a permit for any large event or parade, and no group had requested a permit by Tuesday morning, Chen said.

Kenn Dzaman, a Brinnon, Jefferson County, activist helping organize several groups, said he has no plans to break any laws. "We're going to do whatever we can legally do," he said.

Ashley Bach: 206-464-2567 or abach@seattletimes.com