Protests planned for former Pres. Bush’s upcoming speech at Morongo Casino

Various organizations, including Occupy groups,announced today they will protest former President George W. Bush’s role in thewars in Iraq and Afghanistan when he speaks at a local government gathering inCabazon on Thursday.

Bush is scheduled to give the keynote speech at the Western RiversideCouncil of Governments’ annual General Assembly at Morongo Casino, according tothe Press-Enterprise newspaper. The Western Riverside Council of Governmentsdidn’t immediately confirm Bush’s attendance, and the meeting’s agenda didn’tlist his appearance.

The organizations planning to protest Bush’s appearance includeCoachella Valley and Riverside Occupy groups, Veterans for Peace and the LosAngeles chapter of ANSWER — Act Now to Stop War and End Racism.

The Western Riverside Council of Governments includes Riverside County,17 cities and two water districts. The General Assembly receives corporatefunding — no public money will be used to pay to bring Bush to the gathering,according to the Press-Enterprise.