February 12th, 2007
Sen. Hillary Clinton (D - New York) spoke at Keene High School in Keene, New Hampshire this Sunday. Several members of Student Scholars for 9/11 Truth attended the event in hopes of being able to ask the former First Lady a question or two about 9/11.
Usually press for the Fitzwater Center are greeted very warmly at political events. However, when the Student Scholars attempted to get in through the press entrance, they were asked a series of question about their legitimacy after a volunteer noticed that one of the Student Scholars was wearing a shirt that read "Investigate 9/11." Ultimately, those in charge decided that the Student Scholars could be admitted with press passes.
Student Scholars for 9/11 Truth got a spot for their camera on the platform, got three seats in the second row, and waited for the Senator to arrive. Around 3:45, Secret Service did a sweep of the auditorium, indicating that the guest of honor was in the building.
At 4:00, State Senator Molly Kelly addressed the crowd and praised Senator Clinton. She ended her remarks by belting out Hillary's current campaign slogan, "Let the conversation begin!" The crowd cheered and held up their "Hillary for President" signs as she took the stage. She covered her previous trips to New Hampshire during her husband's campaigns, education, alternative energy, health care, and her thoughts on the war in Iraq. Apparently 9/11 is old news because it didn't come up once.
After her speech, she answered questions from the audience. After the first couple questions were asked, it became apparent that the audience was only interested in singing her praises and not asking real questions. Every time people raised their hands, the Student Scholars in the second row stood up and raised their hands high. Senator Clinton looked right them, and even made eye contact with the young man wearing the "Investigate 9/11" shirt on. However, they were never given an opportunity to ask their question, as others in the crowd around them were all called upon.
Around 5:00, the Q and A ended, but Hillary said she would stay and talk with people. At this point, a gentleman in the back who was not affiliated with Student Scholars unraveled a banner that read "9/11 Truth Now!" and quietly held it up. Secret Service whisked him out of the auditorium before the audience even had a chance to read what it said, let alone the Senator. Some of the Student Scholars got nervous at this point, but Founder Justin A. Martell and Co-Founder Michael Jackman were determined to get their voices heard.
Despite the large crowd surrounding Hillary, Martell and Jackman made their way through crowd and got within a few feet of the Senator. At that point, a Secret Service Agent noticed Martell's shirt and told him not to get any closer. Once again, Hillary saw Martell and Jackman in the crowd but talked to others around them and right after Martell asked "Senator, could I have a quick word with you?" a voice announced over the PA system that it was time for Hillary Clinton to go.
Martell and Jackman turned on their cameras and tried to talk to Hillary before she left, but their path was blocked by several Secret Service agents that old them once again not to proceed any further. A few moments later, Hillary Clinton had left the building.
To add insult to injury, anyone with a press pass was invited to a reception afterwards. However, after someone in charge noticed Martell's shirt, he was grilled with questions as to who he was with and how he got a press pass. Despite the fact that the Student Scholars all had press passes, and were supported by the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication, they were told that they were not legitimate press and just to grab a plate of food and leave.
Hillary Clinton has said that she is not just starting a campaign, but that she is starting a conversation. It's certaintly a shame that she plans on limiting that conversation to a few topics that she wants to talk about.
"If Hillary thinks we're just going to go away because she ignored us once, she's got another thing coming." Said Justin Martell as he was leaving the event, "We're here in New Hampshire, anyone who's serious about running for President has to come here because of the first in the nation primary, and before their campaigns are over, they're all going to hear from us."
