“In a surprise outburst that cast a diplomatic shadow, a screaming protester confronted President Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao and interrupted the welcoming ceremony on the White House lawn Thursday. Bush later apologized to the Chinese leader. ‘President Bush, stop him from killing,’ the woman shouted, to the surprise of hundreds of guests spread across the lawn on a sunny, warm day. ‘President Bush, stop him from persecuting the Falun Gong’ — a banned religious movement in China. Standing beside Bush, Hu had just begun his opening remarks when the woman started yelling in Chinese and English. Bush leaned over and whispered to Hu, ‘You’re OK,’ indicating the Chinese leader should proceed. Hu, who had paused briefly, resumed speaking even though the woman kept screaming for several minutes before security officers forcibly removed her. … Outside the White House gates, hundreds of banner-waving protesters loudly demonstrated against Hu’s visit. The clamor could be heard faintly during an elaborate lunch Bush gave in Hu’s honor.” [editor’s note: “The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which” - TLK, channeling George Orwell] (04/20/06)