The “March on Washington” organized by Glenn Beck of the FreedomWorks organization, and a long list of other grassroots organizations was attended by two Freedom Works members from Yadkin County. The following is a first person account of the event from the volunteer’s stand- point.

“I was a volunteer Saturday, working along the march route helping the police to watch for skirmishes, anyone that became sick. All the volunteers were assigned a point to be at until the end. Mine was 400 Pennsylvania Ave.

This march was called a taxpayer protest – protesting the stimulus, cap and trade bill in regard to energy that will raise everyone’s power bill tremendously – estimate of $3,000 for a 2500-3,000-square foot house. So that means my Mom’s little 1,250 square-foot cottage will increase $1.500, the biggest issue was healthcare.

There were 80,000 seats placed in front of the Capital building. They were full in 30 minutes. The people marched toward the Capital building for over two hours on the six- lane Pennsylvania. Ave. after that. There were so many people at the starting point the march began one hour early. The metro was shut down several miles outside of Pennsylvania. Ave. so as to not let any more people come. The street was closed to any additional folks. There was not one arrest.

Some police employees made the statement that this was the biggest thing ever in Washington. I was at the beginning point at 7 a.m. and left at 5:30 a.m. I never heard one word of profanity; saw no out of order folks. There were old folks some in wheel chairs, young families with children, hundreds of pets with their messages wrapped around their bodies, and many veterans. All 50 states were represented plus Puerto Rico. I was very proud to be an American and to be a part of this.”

According to Freedom Works, this event was part of a movement that began in April to protest tax policies and a 7,000 mile bus tour that began in August in California.

Commonly referred to as “Tea bagging,” the peaceful protests are based on the Colonial-times Boston Tea Party.

FreedomWorks, founded in 1984 is chaired by former U.S. House Majority Leader, Dick Armey.The president of the organization is Matt Kibbe and it is headquartered in Washinton, D.C. with smaller groups of the organization in communities all over the U.S.

As stated on their website, their Mission is to fight for lower taxes, less government and more economic freedom for all Americans.

FreedomWorks Chair, Dick Armey is scheduled to speak at a town hall style meeting on Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Blaise Baptist Church in Mocksville.