Former presidents draw massive crowd at Toronto Convention Centre
Amanda Roth
Issue date: 6/9/09 Section: News
It was a unique scene for Torontonians on May 29; a scene that might have caused confusion for those unaware of the historic event taking place in the city that day.
Protesters rallied across from the Metro Toronto Convention Center, where former US presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton met in discussion for a crowd of approximately 5,000.
The protesters held signs of accusation regarding war crimes committed by each of the presidents and chanted to the Toronto police circling the scene on foot and horseback, "Do your job, arrest George Bush!"
Beyond the doors of the convention center provided a much different environment. Thousands of eager civilians, travelling all different lengths to attend this historic event, crowded through security and into the hall, buzzing with anticipation for the appearance of the presidents.
Finally, at 4 p.m., after many introductions by sponsors of the event and a half-hour delay, Clinton approached the restless crowd for his introductory speech.
"America never had a better ally and partner," Clinton expressed to the Canadians in the crowd, addressing the war in Afghanistan and thanking Canada for their participation and assistance to the US.
"We live in an interdependent world where we can't escape each others fate, and we'll either go up or down together," said Clinton.
Succeeding Clinton in both presidency and introduction, Bush was next to take the stage.
"Retirement is not all that bad," he said.
"It's hard to go from 100 miles per hour to zero."
In his introduction, Bush outlined what he has been up to since leaving the White House and passing on the role and responsibilities of presidency to Barack Obama in February.
He outlined his activities as giving speeches and working on his book.
"Some people may be saying 'Write a book? The guy can't even read a book.' Well I'm going to prove them wrong," said Bush, in good humour.
And with that discussion began, lead by Frank McKenna, Deputy Chair of TD Bank Financial Group, who asked the presidents a wide-range of questions while the three lounged in front of the audience in large green TD sofa chairs.
Protesters rallied across from the Metro Toronto Convention Center, where former US presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton met in discussion for a crowd of approximately 5,000.
The protesters held signs of accusation regarding war crimes committed by each of the presidents and chanted to the Toronto police circling the scene on foot and horseback, "Do your job, arrest George Bush!"
Beyond the doors of the convention center provided a much different environment. Thousands of eager civilians, travelling all different lengths to attend this historic event, crowded through security and into the hall, buzzing with anticipation for the appearance of the presidents.
Finally, at 4 p.m., after many introductions by sponsors of the event and a half-hour delay, Clinton approached the restless crowd for his introductory speech.
"America never had a better ally and partner," Clinton expressed to the Canadians in the crowd, addressing the war in Afghanistan and thanking Canada for their participation and assistance to the US.
"We live in an interdependent world where we can't escape each others fate, and we'll either go up or down together," said Clinton.
Succeeding Clinton in both presidency and introduction, Bush was next to take the stage.
"Retirement is not all that bad," he said.
"It's hard to go from 100 miles per hour to zero."
In his introduction, Bush outlined what he has been up to since leaving the White House and passing on the role and responsibilities of presidency to Barack Obama in February.
He outlined his activities as giving speeches and working on his book.
"Some people may be saying 'Write a book? The guy can't even read a book.' Well I'm going to prove them wrong," said Bush, in good humour.
And with that discussion began, lead by Frank McKenna, Deputy Chair of TD Bank Financial Group, who asked the presidents a wide-range of questions while the three lounged in front of the audience in large green TD sofa chairs.
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