The College Republicans’ table in front of Malcolm X Plaza filled up with police as students expressed their opinions about election results early Wednesday afternoon.

The student club laid out a table as part of the day’s nonprofit job and internship fair along the quad and celebrated the reelection of President George W. Bush.

It wasn’t long before a group of about 13 uniformed police officers and some plain-clothes officers were called in to stand between the group of protestors and the club’s members.

“It’s just really sad we can’t peaceably assemble,” said Leigh Wolf, a member of the club, “even without violence.”

The group of protesters yelled out chants of “Get Out” and “The People United, We’ll Never Be Divided.”

Club members responded by holding up signs saying “Peace Is Not Free,” which only irritated the crowd even more.

The group marched through buildings around campus chanting “Walkout, Do It For Your Country” and “No Justice, No Peace.”
After about 150 students assembled, the group marched back to the club’s table at the Cesar Chavez Student Center.

“We’re protesting the unjust electoral system,” said George Sanchez, one of the protestors. “It’s a system manipulated by corporate interest and not poor working class people.”

Sanchez said over 50 percent of the U.S. population voted yesterday. He said even if Kerry defeated Bush, the entire country wasn’t represented.

“They’re trying to stop our Freedom of Speech,” said Derek Wray, president of the College Republicans. “At school like SF State, people can’t respect our intelligential voice. They’re just mad that we won.”

“I am proud that there is dialogue, but I don’t think this is dialogue as much as yelling each other,” said David Abella, the Associated Students (AS) president in witness to the protest. “I saw a lot of positive energy regarding this election, not just for the presidency, but on other initiatives as well.”

The protestors migrated to Malcolm X Plaza while the College Republicans took down their table and left under the protection of police at 1:30 p.m.