Massachusetts Protesters Join Taxpayers March in Capital
PROTEST
New Bedford Standard-Times
Ayesha Aleem and Burcu Karakas
Boston University Washington News Service
Sept. 12, 2009
WASHINGTON –Protesting a host of issues from health care reform to the stimulus packages, tens of thousands of people gathered in downtown Washington Saturday to demonstrate for lower taxes and less government.
Among the protesters was Bill King of Massachusetts who had arrived with others from the Bay State on Friday evening. “There’s too much government spending, too much chaos in the government,” said King. “It is time for positive change. There is too much corruption and no accountability.”
Groups of people came from across the country, marching under banners that announced the name of their state. Others marched on their own in a parade that extended 14 blocks between Freedom Plaza and the Capitol.
A boat-shaped float, symbolic of the Boston Tea Party, was part of the march. People aboard the float cheered protesters alongside. Families, young people, the elderly and disabled shouted slogans and carried signs. Even children joined in holding placards that read, “Stop spending my future.”
The march, originally scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m., started earlier at 10:45 a.m. A predominantly white crowd carried bold signs with messages such as “Joe Wilson for President” or “My Hero: Joe Wilson,” in reference to the outcry made my Rep. Joe Wilson at the president’s address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday night.
“Sarah Gets It” and “Sarah in 2012” were some of the other signs, in reference to Sarah Palin. They also chanted “USA!” and “You lie!,” creating an energized presence. Emotions were running high and conflicting views resulted in verbal skirmishes. Graphic images of aborted fetuses lined a short distance of the path.
King, criticizing the stimulus bill, said, “It did not create employment. We need employment, we don’t need handouts.”
The Massachusetts group that traveled by bus from Worcester and Chicopee met the San Francisco Tea Party Rally in Hartford, Conn., that is touring the country protesting similar issues, said King. “We have to take our country back in 2010 or our country, as we know it, will cease to exist.
A Massachusetts couple, each wearing a red t-shirt with the slogan “Silent No More,” said they were concerned about health care reform.
“We need health reform, but not a government plan,” said 61-year-old Garry Treadway. He said the march showed the patriotism of the American people.
His wife, Connae Treadway, 55, agreed with him and said she wanted to make her voice heard. “We want them listen to us.” They said they believe Obama’s plan will pave the way for socialism. “We are here to stop the socialism.”
The march ended at the Capitol, where the marchers gathered around the reflecting pool to listen to a series of speakers during the afternoon.
###
