WASHINGTON — Tens of thousands of conservative protesters, many complaining that the nation is racing toward socialism, massed outside the U.S. Capitol on Saturday, denouncing President Barack Obama’s health care plan and other initiatives as threats to the Constitution.
The crowd — loud, animated and sprawling — gathered at the West Front of the Capitol after a march along Pennsylvania Avenue.
Invocations of God and former President Ronald Reagan by an array of speakers drew loud cheers that echoed across the Mall. On a windy, overcast afternoon, hundreds of yellow “Don’t Tread on Me” flags flapped in the breeze.
“Hell hath no fury like a taxpayer ignored,” said Andrew Moylan, head of government affairs for the National Taxpayers Union, urging protesters to call their representatives. The demonstrators roared in approval.
Movement makes gains
The demonstrators are part of a loose-knit movement that is galvanizing anti-Obama sentiment across the country, stoking a populist dimension to the Republican Party, which has struggled to find its voice since the 2008 elections.
With Democrats in control of Congress, battling the president legislatively has been difficult. But after anti-tax rallies and health care protests proved to be effective, a growing number of GOP leaders are dropping their wariness and seeing the political possibilities of latching onto this freewheeling coalition. Others are cautious about embracing views that can be seen as extremist.
No official crowd estimate was available, but the throng Saturday appeared to number in the many tens of thousands.
“You will not spend the money of our children and our grandchildren to feed an overstuffed government,” Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., said of the Obama administration, drawing raucous applause.
“Our history is decorated by those who endured the burden of defending freedom,” Price said. “Now a new generation of patriots has emerged. You are those patriots.”
The group’s sponsors included Tea Party Patriots, ResistNet and FreedomWorks, a Washington-based group headed by former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas. They and others involved in the rally comprise a loose coalition of conservative groups that helped organize the health care and anti-tax demonstrations in the spring and summer.
The White House declined to comment, but Democrats said the rally and other protests in recent months represent a small minority of voters and will not slow Obama’s proposals.
Array of criticisms
The demonstrators spanned the spectrum of conservative anger at Obama, including opponents of his tax, spending and health care plans and protesters who question his U.S. citizenship and compare his administration to the Nazi regime.
Most signs were handmade: “Socialism is UnAmerican,” “King George Didn’t Listen Either!” “Terrorists Won’t Destroy America, Congress Will!” and “The American Dream R.I.P.” Dozens of signs mentioned Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., who heckled Obama during a Wednesday night speech to Congress.
Dee Meredith, 62, of Callao, Va., said she had never heard of Wilson before he shouted at the president, “You lie!” At the rally, Meredith waved a placard: “Thank You Joe Wilson.”
“We’re the forgotten people,” she said, “and he’s given us a voice.”
Jeff Mapps, 29, a stagehand and labor union member from South Philadelphia, held a sign that said “Preserve, Protect, Defend” on a Metro train packed with conservative activists. He fretted over a “blatant disregard for the Constitution.”
“We’ve been watching it for six to eight months,” he said. “It was finally an opportunity to get involved. It’s been boiling over. . . . It’s not just about health care. It’s about so much more than that.”
What they said
“We’ve been watching it for six to eight months. It was finally an opportunity to get involved. It’s been boiling over. . . . It’s not just about health care. It’s about so much more than that.”
Jeff Mapps, 29, of South Philadelphia
“I think the overriding message after years of borrowing, spending and bailouts is enough is enough.”
Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana, chairman of the House Republican Conference
“My grandkids are going to be paying for this. It’s going to cost too much money that we don’t have.”
Richard Brigle, 57, of Paw Paw, Mich., on proposed health care reform
“I came out today because he needs to hear from people like us, exercising our First Amendment rights.”
Dottie Dupree, 38, of Maryland, of President Barack Obama
“Hell hath no fury like a taxpayer ignored.”
Andrew Moylan, head of government affairs for the National Taxpayers Union
