VIDEO: Students protest humanitarian award for George W, say he should be in 'handcuffs' instead

Students, faculty and alumni from the University of Denver (DU) gathered to protest the presentation of the "Global Service” award to President George W. Bush in Denver on Monday. 

President Bush was originally to receive the award for “Improving the Human Condition,” in part for his contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS, but the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies changed the name of the award after 1,600 students, faculty and citizens signed a petition in opposition. 

“People can do good without always doing good,” said one female student, responding to details on on the humanitarian programs started by President Bush.

WATCH: 'I think he should get a set of handcuffs and a long prison sentence.'

“First off, I think this is a rebranding effort, it’s almost disgusting that a president thinks they can go do humanitarian aid in Africa to cover up the war crimes that they committed in other areas of the world,” added Sara Fitouri, of the Colorado Student Power Alliance.

“I don’t think he should be awarded for anything” said Roshan Bliss, a master's student at DU's Josef Korbel School of International Studies. “I think he should get a set of handcuffs and a long prison sentence.”

The original petition, started by Christine Hart, a graduate of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies argued Bush was unworthy of the award.

“As students, alumni, and faculty of the Josef Korbel School and the University of Denver, we urge Dean Hill and the administration to choose an alternative recipient of the 'Improving the Human Condition Award' who better represents a humanitarian spirit, a commitment to human rights and human dignity, and whose contributions and leadership have truly resulted in positive change,” it said. 

ABC news recently reported that Bush's humanitarian work would lead to the prevention, treatment and research on HIV/AIDS. 

“In 2003 Bush founded the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which guaranteed $15 million to be spent over the course of five years on prevention, treatment and research on HIV/AIDS. Under the Bush administration, the U.S. was also a leader in contributing to the Global Fund on AIDS,” according to the report. 

“At more than $5 billion a year in humanitarian aid to Africa, President Bush has given more assistance to the continent than any other president,” it added. 

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