Chris Meller sat in a chair in a CVS on Pennsylvania Avenue just feet away from a tumultuous crowd of angry protesters.

Meller, a junior at the Virginia Commonwealth University, sat in the CVS attempting to warm up after hours of standing in the cold January rain and protesting the inauguration of George W. Bush.

“I think that there is a need for mass action,” Meller said. “The goal for us today is to see how much we can perfect the spectacle and to make a voice of dissent heard.”

Meller was not alone. Throngs of protesters from groups like the National Organization for Women (NOW), the Black Panthers, the Green Party and numerous other activist groups from around the country were on hand to line the streets of the inaugural parade route.

Collecting in a permitted protesting area, demonstrators chanted slogans, carried signs and challenged police who attempted to maintain order.

“This is what a police state looks like,” chanted the demonstrators at police who lined barricade lines.

“I have come to these protests before, and I was here for the April 16 demonstrations against the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund,” Meller said. “The reason we are out here today, in great numbers and from different groups, is because this election will only exacerbate the racial and wealth divisions in our country.”

The permitted protesting area was located at 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Freedom Plaza. The area bordered ticketed bleacher seats for viewing the inaugural parade.

“I think that those people (protesters) are horrible,” said Girl Scout Stephanie Miller, a Silver Springs High School student and parade volunteer. “I just can’t believe that people act like this.”

Protesters stood for hours in the cold rain waiting for the presidential motorcade.

“Yeah, it is really cold out there,” said Andrea Sanquer, a student at the University of Arkansas. “But it is worth it to show what we believe in. I have never felt so strongly about something as I do about the fraudulent results of this election and the injustices that were committed in Florida.”

“I can’t understand why more people aren’t here,” said Robin Zyken, a graduate of the University of Michigan. “Even in small countries, people will come together and rise up in support of things.”

Judah Schept and 80 fellow Vasser College students rode a bus to Washington, and stayed in a Virginia Church just for the opportunity to voice their anger about the U.S. prison system.

“The turnout today is a horrific testament to all the issues that are important,” Schelpt said.

The presidential motorcade was delayed in making the trip down Pennsylvania Avenue, but the protesters were not deterred.

“So what if we have to wait a few minutes longer?” Sanquer said. “When he (Bush) gets here we will just turn the volume up louder.”

When the motorcade did pass by the approximately 300-yard stretch of route occupied by demonstrators, they did “turn the volume up.” Protesters pushed against rope barriers that police erected in a double line rope-fence perimeter. Police stood at the fence facing the frenzied crowd.

“Shame, shame,” shouted the crowd as Bush’s motorcade passed slowly along the route.

Some plastic water bottles flew from the crowd and bounced in front of the motorcade, the police and Secret Service watching every projectile for signs of danger.

Though a ticket was not required to enter the protest area, Secret Service and Metropolitan Police officers inspected all bags and packages of spectators before they were allowed near the route.

“I think that it is wrong that our constitutional rights are being violated here,” said Jon Harturgh, a college student from Baltimore.

Secret Service officials and Metropolitan Police reassured the crowd with megaphones that the inspections were procedural and would be brief if everyone cooperated.

Sanquer was pleased with the results of the event.

“This is a slow process, changing things is never easy,” Sanquer said. “We are out here today to make our voices heard, and we did that. There was no way that George Bush could ignore what he saw from his limo. I am glad that I made the trip.”