Protests Planned Outside Mitt Romney Fundraising Event

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is scheduled to be in the Bay Area for a private fundraising event in Redwood Shores on Monday evening.

A reception for Romney is being held at the Hotel Sofitel San Francisco Bay, located at 223 Twin Dolphin Drive, according to event organizers. Tickets start at $1,000 per person and go as high as $25,000.

Several activist groups plan to protest outside the 5:30 p.m. reception, including Occupy Redwood City, Raging Grannies and Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment.

Raging Grannies member Ruth Robertson said her group plans to adopt "billionaire personas" and stand outside the event starting at around 4 p.m. with signs mocking people who are driving in to attend.

Protesters will be wearing fake fur and holding signs reading, "Corporations are People, Too," she said.

"We think by mocking them it might bring them down a rung or two," Robertson said.

Members of Occupy Redwood City also plan to attend the protest as "pretend" millionaires, member Paige Scott said Monday morning.

Romney's chief rival for the Republican presidential nomination will be in the Bay Area on Thursday.

Rick Santorum is scheduled to attend a private fundraising event at the home of Mark and Becky Pine in Alamo, according to his campaign. Tickets range from $125 to $2,500.

-- Bay City News