Slideshow: Glenn Beck Rally, MLK March and AFP Conference
Washington experienced an influx of Tea Partiers this past weekend. Not only did Glenn Beck host his Restoring Honor rally in front of the Lincoln Memorial on
Jul 31, 202011.5K Shares960.8K Views
Washington experienced an influx of Tea Partiers this past weekend. Not only did Glenn Beck host his Restoring Honor rally in front of the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday, Americans for Prosperity also held a conference on Friday. But not all activity was on the conservative side. Rev. Al Sharpton organized a counter-march to commemorate the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Below is a selection of TWI’s photos from these events:
Glenn Beck addresses the crowd from the Lincoln Memorial. Attendees filled the space on the steps behind the stage, and the crowd reached back to the Washington Monument.
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Beck-Flag.jpgBeck gestures toward a flag on stage while speaking. Event organizers had asked attendees to refrain from bringing political signs, a guideline that was generally followed. But flags and flag paraphernalia were widespread throughout the crowd.
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Sarah-Palin2.jpgFormer Republican vice presidential candidate and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin addresses the rally crowd. Fitting the nonpolitical goal of the event, Palin spoke as the mother of a veteran.
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Multi-culti2.jpgAt the beginning of the rally, Beck brought out a diverse group of religious leaders. A preacher (far right) led the opening invocation for rally, here joined by two Native Americans and a rabbi. The language of the invocation was strictly Christian.
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/08/King.jpgDr. Alveda King, the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, addresses the crowd at the Restoring Honor rally. The event took place on the 47th anniversary of MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech. Many criticized Beck for holding his rally on that date. King, an anti-abortion activist, spoke at the rally to defend the timing of Beck's event.
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Pujols.jpgSt. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols accepted a "Purple Heart" award at the Restoring Honor rally. Beck decided to restyle the medals for noteworthy civilians. Pujols received the charity award for his off-the-field efforts. Accepting the award, he said, "Twelve years ago, I made the best decision of my life, and that was following Jesus Christ."
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Lincoln-Flag.jpgDuring Glenn Beck's main speech, supporters sitting close to the arches of the Lincoln Memorial held aloft a flag.
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Colonial-Man.jpgTea Party protests have become known for eye-catching signs and individuals wearing unique costumes. At Saturday's event there were few signs in the crowd, and only a few individuals decided to come in colonial garb.
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Carolina-patriots.jpgA group of Restoring Honor attendees show their home state pride.
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Monument-Base.jpgThe crowd watching Beck's event stretched all the way out toward the Washington Monument.
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/08/WW2.jpgPeople sit on the steps of the World War II Memorial, watching the event across from the pool.
More attendees gathered at the World War II Memorial. There were screens and loudspeakers set up along the Mall so all could see and hear.
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Prayer.jpgPeople bow their heads and raise their hands to the sky as a preacher gives the opening invocation.
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Pledge.jpgAttendees put their hands over their hearts for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Bachmann.jpgImmediately after the conclusion of the Restoring Honor rally, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) hosted a Tea Party town hall meeting on the other side of the Washington Monument. She brought other members of the Tea Party caucus and Tea Party activists on stage to speak at the hour-long event. Around 1,000 people showed up for the post-rally town hall.
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/08/louie-gohmert.jpgRep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) spoke at Bachmann's town hall event. Gohmert gained increased national attention earlier this month when he appeared on CNN to defend his statements on "terror babies."
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/08/MLK-March-Monument.jpgRev. Al Sharpton organized a counter-march to honor the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous speech. The march went to the future site of a MLK statue. The parade marched past the Washington Monument shortly after Bachmann's town hall ended.
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/08/MLK-March3.jpgA man stops in the middle of the street to wave a "Justice" flag during the MLK march.
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/08/MLK-March.jpgGroups march down 15th St. NW, near the Washington Monument, to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech.
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/08/David-Koch.jpgDavid Koch addresses the crowd during the Defending the American Dream conference held in Washington on Friday. Along with his brother Charles, Koch is one of the primary funders of Americans for Prosperity, an organization that has been instrumental in organizing the Tea Party movement.
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/08/AFP-Crowd.jpgThe ballroom crowd during dinner at the Defending the American Dream convention.
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Will-Koch.jpgWashington Post columnist George Will accepts AFP's highest award from Koch during the Tribute to Ronald Reagan dinner.
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/08/AFP-Prez.jpgThough Koch spoke briefly at the event, it was AFP President Tim Phillips who served as the face of the organization during the day's proceedings. He addressed the full ballroom multiple times during the day, and took part in breakout panels.
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/08/November-is-coming-smart-car.jpgA "November is Coming" Smart Car sat outside the hotel where the AFP conference took place. November is Coming is AFP's campaign operation, coordinating money and political organizing in favor of "free-market" candidates for the upcoming midterm elections.
(All photo credits: Patrick Caldwell/The American Independent)
Hajra Shannon
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