By
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - In a preview of what may come on Inauguration Day, police arrested three protesters yesterday after two of them dangled outside the third floor of the Interior Department with a huge banner opposed to the new Bush administration's environmental policies.
The protest by Greenpeace-USA activists came on the opening day of confirmation hearings for Interior Secretary-designate Gale Norton. Members of the group have expressed concern that Norton would allow energy exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Two of the men used ropes and pulleys to lower themselves outside the third floor of the department's headquarters, unfurling a red-white-and- blue banner which read "Bush and Norton: Our Land, Not Oil Land!"
After 45 minutes, the activists lowered themselves to the street and surrendered peacefully. Police arrested a third on the roof.
Craig Culp, 41, of Baltimore, Bob Lyon, 30, of Chicago, and Pat Keys, 26, of Washington, have been charged with disorderly conduct, which carries a fine of up to $50.
Anticipating the largest inaugural demonstrator presence since tens of thousands marched against the Vietnam War in 1973, an army of law enforcement officers representing 16 agencies has added new twists to their usual precautions for President-elect Bush's swearing-in at the Capitol and the inaugural parade route to the White House.
For the first time, people attending the parade will have to pass through police and Secret Service checkpoints and have their bags searched. Demonstrators will be allowed to bring signs, but not the puppets or stilts used in recent protests, Secret Service spokesman Jim Mackin said.
U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler was scheduled to hear arguments yesterday from demonstrators seeking an injunction against the security plans. The demonstrators contend that the 16 checkpoints and other restrictions are unconstitutional and not intended to protect Bush so much from harm as from embarrassment.
Other demonstrators intended to get an early start by protesting during the inaugural opening ceremonies at the Lincoln Memorial yesterday. Elsewhere in Washington, a group advocating housing for the homeless planned to march.
Protests are planned by scores of groups advocating causes ranging from civil rights to the death penalty. Many had planned to demonstrate regardless of who won the election. They will be joined by people still angry over the contested election and those upset with Bush's policies or Cabinet nominees.
Law enforcement officials fret because many of the probable demonstrators took part in recent protests that led to violence and hundreds of arrests.
"They can do whatever as long it doesn't get out of hand and doesn't interfere with the procession and doesn't jeopardize the safety and security of those coming to watch the event or those participating in the event," D.C. Police Chief Charles Ramsey said. "We'll be as gentle or as forceful as we need to be."
Ramsey said 500,000 to 700,000 people were expected to attend the day's events.
Protest organizers, who say their turnout may exceed 20,000, blame police for past conflicts and say they plan no civil disobedience tomorrow.
Panes of 2-inch-thick bulletproof glass were installed Wednesday on a platform erected outside the Capitol's West Front, where more than 1,000 dignitaries will join Bush for the inauguration. Photographers invited for an advance look said stairwells covered in bulletproof material had been built on either side of where Bush will stand.
Lt. Dan Nichols, a spokesman for the U.S. Capitol Police, would not discuss platform security other than that the 70,000 invited guests who will watch from the Capitol's lawn will be screened by metal detectors and have their bags searched.
Another 300,000 spectators are expected to watch from the National Mall, after clearing less stringent security checkpoints.
The National Park Service has erected about five miles of 6-foot-high, chain-link fence along the Mall and around the Lincoln Memorial. That type of fencing never has been used so extensively for an inauguration, spokesman Earle Kittleman said.
The Secret Service, responsible for coordinating law enforcement agencies involved, will have most of its 2,800 agents and 1,100 uniformed officers on duty, spokesman Marc Connolly said.
As with past inaugurations, the agency will position observers and sharpshooters on rooftops, he said. Along the parade route, manhole covers will be sealed and mailboxes, potential hiding places for bombs, will be removed.
The entire 3,600-person D.C. police force will be on duty and 1,600 officers from other jurisdictions - mainly Maryland and Virginia - will line the two-mile parade route. Additional officers may be brought in from Pennsylvania and the U.S. Mint police force, D.C. police spokesman Sgt. Joe Gentile said.
About 4,500 military personnel also are expected to participate, with about 1,500 lining the parade route. Their role is ceremonial.
The U.S. Park Police will have about 650 officers, including 40 on horseback. Another 1,200 officers with the Capitol Police also will be on duty.
