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Thousands of downtown DC protesters blast Obama
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-09-13 09:56

Thousands of downtown DC protesters blast Obama

US President Barack Obama waves to the press as he walks to Marine One helicopter to depart Washington for a day trip to Minneapolis, Minnesota to participate in a health insurance reform rally, September 12, 2009. [Agencies]
Thousands of downtown DC protesters blast Obama

Other sponsors of the event include the Heartland Institute, Americans for Tax Reform and the Ayn Rand Center for Individuals Rights.

Connie Castleton, 52, of Irving, Texas, said she drove 20 hours from her home to attend the rally. The nurse said she's motivated to try and get others involved in opposing Obama's health care plan.

"There's a lot more people mad about what's going on than I thought," she said.

Several protesters said they represented a "silent majority" or referred to themselves as "community organizers" -- a phrase often associated with the president.

"This isn't some right-wing conservative agenda," said 30-year-old Adam Moore of Rochester, Mich. "This is a true grass-roots movement."

Erica Coyle, who's in her 50s and is from Louisville, Ky., said problems began before Obama took office, but she said the situation has worsened and people are "finally waking up."

"This is his Waterloo," Coyle said of Obama.