By Adam Allington, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Hundreds of protesters converged on the steps of the Washington University Music Building on Tuesday to demonstrate against former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
Gonzales was the featured speaker in a talk sponsored by the school's College Republicans organization.
The protesters, mostly students, were speaking out against a list of human rights violations, which they lay at the feet of the U.S. government and Alberto Gonzales.
Sophomore Nadia Mann was angry that he would only answer pre-approved questions.
"I'm ok with controversial speakers, but any questions that are asked of him have to be pre-approved. He's giving us answers to the questions he wants asked."
The protesters were dressed in orange jump suits, in reference to prisoners being held in a military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
College Republican Vice President Ryan Winograd said the event has served the purpose of fostering political dialogue on campus.
"He [Gonzales] has a unique perspective, he was a significant player in a lot of the events we've seen unfold. We can talk about Guantanamo, wire tapping, all the controversies, U.S. Attorney firings...he's going to bring a point of view that we have not heard before."
Gonzales was paid a sum of $30,000 for the event; some students and faculty said that was too much.
The sum came out of student government funds, which were approved by an elected panel.
The event was closed to the media.