Protest at the White House

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), April 10, 2006

A screaming intruder is arrested on the White House front lawn in a protest against President Bush.

Secret Service spokesman Eric Zahren identified the man as 40-year-old Brian Patterson, whose last known address was in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Patterson had been caught trying to enter the White House grounds on at least three previous occasions, Zahren said.

Wearing blue jeans and a white T-shirt that said: "God Bless America" he jumped the fence outside the White House yesterday and ran across the north lawn yelling: "I am a victim of terrorism."

Members of the Secret Service emergency response team, including one holding a dog, chased Patterson with their guns drawn and surrounded him.

"I have intelligence information for the president," he said, waving his arms in the air. "I'm not afraid of you," Patterson screamed at the officers.

Patterson eventually kneeled on the ground and was taken into custody shortly before 4pm. He cut his hand jumping the fence and was taken to George Washington University hospital for treatment. He will appear in court today.

Zahren said Patterson was charged with unlawful entry for the last time he jumped the fence, in February. He faces the same charge for yesterday's incident.