The Secret Service has created restricted areas to keep those actively opposing President Bush's policies from being seen during his public appearances. People have been arrested for stepping outside the designated free speech area, and one man was prosecuted in federal court. In South Carolina a long-time political activist was fined $500 for entering a restricted area during a presidential visit. Much like two people who were arrested for stepping onto the street in Atlanta, Brett Bursey, 55, was peacefully protesting. Originally Bursey was arrested for trespassing and faced up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine. However, five months after his arrest, he was charged with an obscure federal statute and the trespassing charge was later dropped. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Barton said that Bursey was charged under the federal statute because the incident took place at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport and South Carolina law does not allow local authorities to prosecute incidents there. Prosecutors claim that Bursey was in an area that had been closed to the public except for through traffic and ticket-holders. Conversely, Bursey explains that he had no idea that area he was in was off limits. He believes that he was picked out of the crowd because he was holding a sign that read "No War for Oil,"; while people with signs favoring Bush were not arrested and remained in the area. On Jan. 19, an estimated 800 protestors gathered in Atlanta awaiting the arrival of President George W. Bush where he came to visit Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s grave. Protestors organized across the street from the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, where the president was paying his tribute to Dr. King's legacy. Immediately in front of the protestors stood a long line of Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority buses. The buses were not there for transportation; instead they were used to block the President's view of the protestors. Standing alert on top of the buses where city police in riot gear. At least two people were arrested for stepping into the street beyond the buses. For more information on “protest zones” see OMB Watch’s article Suit Challenges Secret Service “Protest Zones.”