By Althea Peterson
Transcript Staff Writer
Back in 1973, hundreds gathered in Washington to have President Richard Nixon impeached.
Now, remnants of the same group are in Norman with a similar cause.
Drivers at the corner of Flood Avenue and Symmes were greeted with a “drive-thru impeachment” table, encouraging drivers to stop and sign a petition to impeach President George W. Bush. The group, “Committee to Impeach the President,” has traveled through Washington D.C., Virginia, Texas and Oklahoma so far.
Jim Goodnow, 67, of Terlingua, Texas, said after protesting Nixon’s presidency in the ’70s, he never thought he would have to resurrect the group once again.
“You’re seeing history made in Norman,” Goodnow said. “This is the first and only drive through impeachment location.”
The “drive-thru impeachment,” which could be noticed from far away because of the large tour bus in the driveway, had several drivers stop to sign Saturday evening.
Andrea Farnan, 18, of Norman, said she was volunteering to help promote the petition because she wants to increase awareness.
“I think it’s important that people know what is going on,” Farnan said. “There’s a lot of censorship going on right now, which is wrong. Back during Vietnam, people weren’t afraid to speak out against the war.”
Goodnow certainly remembers those days. Inside the tour bus, which has many American flags, has pictures of the original Committee to Impeach the President group, which worked against Nixon.
“Who would have ever thought we’d go through this again?” Goodnow asks. “This is Deja vu.”
The committee will stay in Norman through Friday at the same location to collect more signatures before heading to Washington D.C.
