September 12th Rally - Washington DC
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As a 58-year-old homemaker from NJ, if someone had told me just a year ago that I would become an activist, I would have laughed and asked why. After seeing how the voters of this nation were bamboozled before and after the presidential election, I have become a soldier in the fight for our freedoms. I suppose you could say that "the housewife is now a community organizer."
For me, the march on Washington on September 12 was one of the most amazing, worthwhile experiences in my life. I have never felt more pride in being an American, and being surrounded by others who hold the same beliefs. It was surprising to see how many young people were at the rally, as well as a fair number of blacks and other minorities. My deepest respect and admiration went to an old man, in a wheelchair, who was breathing with the aid of an oxygen tank. I had to stop and tell him, "Thank you for coming today."
The sheer number that showed up was amazing! Did you notice how peaceful and neat everyone was? My friends and I spoke to several people -- everyone had a great sense of humor, and seemed decent and kind. It was very far removed from the anger, rancor and vitriolic insults that I have come to associate with the left. Most of the posters were to the point, and created with great wit and originality. There was not one arrest among the multitudes that came. There were no piles of garbage strewn anywhere. Everyone was civil, and there was not even a hint of an argument. I had been prepared with pepper spray for the possibility of some attack from the radical goons, but they stayed away I know there had to be at least a million gathered near the Capitol alone -- it was breathtaking. When my group and I walked from Union Station toward the Capitol, I had chills when I heard the roar of the crowd in the distance. Although I had only two hours' sleep the night before, I felt an energy that was spurring me on -- it was much greater than the sycophantic Matthews' "thrill up the leg."
As a country, we need to believe again in the God on whom this republic was founded, and we must do all we can to prevent the takeover of our free society. We must impose our collective energy to act as a barrier to the communist takeover of our government that is being attempted on the way to One-World Government.
Fight the good fight, and keep the faith!
Alina P.
It is hard to convey just how moving the whole affair was. We stayed the night before in a hotel in Alexandria, Virginia. The hotel was fully booked with several busses sprawled about the parking lot. The following morning we set out for the Metro at Pentagon City. We waited for several trains as there were many of us on the platform and the trains that showed up were 90% full.
I spoke with a policeman who said they have seen crowds of this size before, usually anti-war protesters. They didn’t need as many policeman to cover us as those folks because, as he put it, “they cause nothing but trouble.”
The family and I made the trip to DC to join the 9/12 Tea Party March on DC.
Ninety five percent of the signs carried were hand made. This is definitely a grass roots movement. Nearly all were respectful, but expressed the following:
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Joe Wilson was a hero
Joe Wilson was a hero •Desire for Term Limits
Desire for Term Limits •Objection to Abortion
Objection to Abortion •Objection to reduction of faith in God in our society
Objection to reduction of faith in God in our society •Objected to Healthcare reforms planned
Objected to Healthcare reforms planned •Felt that government was getting too big
Felt that government was getting too big •Spending is out of hand
Spending is out of hand •Worried about the future of the country
Worried about the future of the country •Desire to return to constitutional roots
Desire to return to constitutional roots •Displeasure with socialism
Displeasure with socialism •Displeasure with Obama
Displeasure with Obama •Displeasure with Congress and Senate
Displeasure with Congress and Senate •Displeasure with Pelosi
Displeasure with Pelosi •Displeasure with RINO’s
Displeasure with RINO’s More at http://tomsnow.serveblog.net/?p=88
I hate being in a crowd. I am not comfortable being an activist. ... But I put these feelings aside to be a part of the NJ Tea Party Coalition. My thanks to the NJ Tea Party Coalition organizers who have invested their own time, resources, and money.
-Ivan S.
I am so touched by all the people who deeply care about this great country. We need not to be idle, we need to spread the word, lets not grow tired. Remember the psalmist words in psalm 29:11 The LORD gives strengh to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.
Lets keep going!!!
-Barbara B.
After my car ride was canceled and my bus ride was full, I was still able to attend via Amtrak (round trip about $192!). I wouldn't have missed this for the world, a sentiment I heard others express as well. It was a thrill to be there, so many standing up together for Freedom. I met and spoke to many wonderful people that day. God bless America and all that you are doing for our country. Thanks to Michele for all her efforts on my behalf. -Rosalie G.
Let's have a goal to clean up DC within 4 years ... Shine the light on these cockroaches. -Walt
It was such a moving experience to be among a huge assembly of like-minded patriotic Americans. -Rdtjn316
September 12, 2009 was a day I will never forget, having been first time I ever protested something, in such an organized and grandiose fashion...Unless people, many, many millions of people wake up and realize the peril of our fragile freedom...and come out screaming mad....I dread the possibilities that harbor on reality. -Catherine
My girl friend and I went down by train on 9/12/09 and we were amazed at the number of people who attended, not to mention the dignity with which they conducted themselves. It was a privilege to be among such people! I will do it again and again in order to be heard!! Additionally, I was comforted by the people there. Outside of my friend, I "knew" no one, but felt as though I had known these people all of my life. Upon retrospect and introspect, I realized that I "grew up" with these people. They have the values I treasure and that is what brought us together.
Thank you for the opportunity to express my thoughts on that historic day. - Frances E.
Responding to the pent up anger in the USA about the abuse of our Constitution; the lack of transparency by the White House and the Democratic leadership in Congress; an alarming growth in government; and burgeoning taxation, I enthusiastically accepted an invitation to celebrate this event with a friend from Michigan. Booking reservations on Amtrak and at the Hyatt Regency, I even packed my "Liberty and Prosperity" New Jersey state flag! Along with 999,999 others, I reveled in the event. (Considering that I attended a DC rally contained on the Mall numbering 750,000 attendees by helicopter analysis, yes, the attendance on 9.12 was at least one million!)
Arriving at the Hyatt, I came upon a joyful, boisterous college reunion atmosphere. The halls were ablaze with red "Tea Party Patriot" gear, and I purchased a T-shirt, bracelets, bumper stickers, and pins. Those who didn't bring signs from home designed them on the lobby floor using markers, glitter, phony dollar bills, stickers, flags, streamers, and the genius of American ingenuity! In fact, it was the "Sea of Signs" that was the stunning show stopper at the march that impressed me most. All homemade, distinct, and creative, it evidenced none could honestly criticize that this event was organized by a large group or wealthy funding mechanism. No, it was just "We The People!" In fact, it was wonderfully disorganized...and totally appropriate for the occasion. The cheers were similarly unique. "Read that Wall" captured everyone's attention to the First Amendment engraved on the wall of the Newseum Building on Pennsylvania Avenue: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." And Brendan Steinhauser's comment on the steps of the Capitol: "Speaker Pelosi, we replaced the grass on the West Lawn with AstroTurf!" drew huge cheers! And, despite the incredible crowd, (perhaps because I was carrying my State flag), I met many others from Jersey who had traveled down independently - even including two old friends from Bergen County!!
Back at the hotel that night, we were now friends and compatriots. From Minnesota, Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, California, and every other state in the Union, we all dreamed the same dream and harbored the same hope: a merciful God *will* continue to bless America now that He knows We the People are silent no more! - Carolee Egan
Washington was a wonderful experience, because I felt empowered for the first time. I believe politicians did take note, and I hope are worried for their jobs. I was impressed that we were forceful, but not violent ( like the left, when they protest). I commend the organizers for an incredible job, especially since we lack experience. We need to see, next time, if we can have more toilets, and at more than one location. There was such a variety of estimates of the crowd, from thousands, to 1 or 2 million. -Ron D.
Thank you to everyone who contributed their thoughts and remembrances of the day! Unfortunately, due to the constraints of space, all of the photo submissions could not be added to the page and some of the comments needed to be slightly abridged.
