Mark Polege
Keyboard Militia
Yesterday President Obama graced the St.Louis area with his presence. He is currently touring the country on a “I’ll Try Explaining My Health Care Plan…Again” tour. After his stop in St.Charles at a high school, he attended a campaign (of sorts) with Senator Claire McCaskill who has been, as many other Democrats, on the fence about voting for Obama’s government-run health care plan. Technically, it is a plan/bill that does not really exist…more of that hope for change…but in actuality it is more like the latest Senate bill.
Over 2,000 Tea Party protesters showed up across the street from the Renaissance Center in downtown St.Louis to make themselves heard…and heard they were. Though two corners catercorner across from the Center had Obama supporters lined with a few hundred, the Tea Party protesters completely filled the full depth of the sidewalks directly across from the Renaissance Center and down the street with more all across the whole area.
The police did a fantastic job of handling the few passionate rallying people on both sides of health care who filled into the street. Though there were many strong views on Obama’s health care plan, everyone seemed considerate of the other’s point of view and their right to express it. In fact, at one point the whole crowd joined in singing the national anthem.
Some of the Tea Party protesters were wearing all black with tape over their mouths to signify how their voices are not being heard over Obama and Congress’ decision to push through with their government-run health care plan. Also worth mentioning, though many had homemade signs representing their personal points of view, the Health Care for America Now and the AFL-CIO ralliers definitely had the more professional looking signs that would be perfect for any corporate event. Kudos y’all!
A number of television networks and media people were in attendance so there should be no shortage of digital memories out there soon. In fact, I happened to gather a few photos from the event as well. More are on my Flickr page.
A little after 6:00pm the Tea Party protesters migrated down to the middle of the block to protest toward the windows in the Renaissance Center where President Obama was still having his campaign which was by invitation only. The event died down a little before 7pm as people began to disperse. There was no sighting of the President to supporters or protesters outside the Renaissance Center.
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
