 "Photo: Mary Kottlowski")
Young Conservatives of Texas members were met with more hostility than support Friday when they set up a table on the West Mall suggesting ways to discard John Kerry paraphernalia.
While some passers-by showed support for the group and the display, many sneered and made comments of disapproval.
"We've had a lot of very angry people come up," said Lauren Conner, YCT chairman and management junior.
A bumper from a 1964 Corvair covered with Kerry stickers and instructions for removing them was on display. On the ground in front of the table was a bucket and a mop with a sign that read "Bush mopped the floor with Kerry." A trash can labeled "Toxic Waste" filled with Kerry signs sat next to the table. A toilet seat with a sign reading "Flush the Johns" was also included in the display, and conservative talk radio played from a tall loudspeaker.
"We are celebrating Bush's victory and helping people get rid of Kerry stuff," said Lauren Kennedy, communication studies sophomore and chair of the event.
Megan Flynn, a psychology sophomore, said she was angered by the display, and hoped both Republican and Democratic groups would work to promote unity after the elections.
"How is this promoting unity?" Flynn said. "I was confused. How is this positive?"
Students could scratch stickers off the bumper with screwdrivers and throw their Kerry signs and stickers into the bucket, the trash can or the toilet, Kennedy said.
"It's a way to de-stress," Kennedy said.
Some students stole signs and threw the instructions for removing Kerry stickers in the "john."
"People are angry and don't know how to vent their anger in a constructive way," Kennedy said.
People had been hanging around the display plotting to ambush it, Conner said, and YCT members needed to guard their signs.
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