Protester Throws Human Feces At Governor

Armana governor was not hit by fecal matter


DUBE CITY, ARMANA--A spokeswoman for Armana Governor Dale Fulbright says the governor was not hit by fecal matter, after a protester tried to throw a bucket of human feces on him.

The incident happened Wednesday afternoon in Dube City, where the governor was touring a new expansion of the Port of Dube. About 200 protesters from an environmental group, which opposed the port expansion project because of its supposed harm to wetlands, were on site to show their disapproval.

According to spokeswoman Jane Fletcher, Fulbright toured the facility with about two dozen other dignitaries, and then was scheduled to give a speech at 1:00 pm. However, as Fulbright was walking from the port's dock to the grassy entrance to give his speech, a protester on the other side of a chain link fence threw a bucket of human feces at the governor and his team.

The man was too far away from the governor, and the fecal matter did not hit Fulbright, Fletcher said.

"It came close. This man was probably only ten or twelve feet away," Fletcher said. "But the governor and his staff saw the man was attempting to throw something over the fence and they quickly stepped out of the way before they could be hit by anything."

The man then fled and ran across the street to an adjacent park, where police caught up with him. Charles Buckley, 59, of Lahawra, was arrested and transported to the LaFugh County jail, where he was later charged by prosecutors with first degree assault of a public official, first degree malicious mischief, and harrassment and intimidation of a public servant.

Police say the man disguised the bucket as a flower pot to ease suspicion.

"He used adhesives to put flowers on the top of the bucket, to make it appear to be a flower pot. We're guessing this was to make people less suspicious," Sgt. Daniel Cleverley told the NPF.

Fellow protesters say the man is mentally disabled.

"There's something wrong with Charles. He's not totally with it, in the head," said Diane Fallow, who organized the protest.

Dube City Police Chief Ron Kysington told GNN affiliate WDUC-TV that protesters were not allowed on port property, and it's unclear how Buckley and about twenty other demonstrators were able to get on the facility's property despite police presence. Trespassing charges may follow, pending an investigation by the police. Kysington noted most protesters were located on the street and sidewalks, which the city had closed to accomodate the demonstration.

The governor's speech went on as planned, but was delayed, according to Fletcher. Mr. Fulbright did not talk to the press following the incident, although, as he was getting into his car to leave the ceremony, he was asked by a reporter what he thought of the incident, and reportedly responded, "People have done a lot of things to me, but I've never had poop thrown at me. This is truly a first."

The governor may address the issue next Monday during his regularly scheduled press conference, Fletcher said.

Buckley was charged and released from jail on $75,000 bond. His first appearance in court is set for Monday.