http://www.komonews.com/news/local/61940897.htmlMOUNT VERNON, Wash. - As hundreds of protesters and counter-protesters shouted and waved signs, conservative TV personality Glenn Beck arrived in Mount Vernon for a controversial visit.
At least one protester was arrested Saturday evening as the crowd surged outside McIntyre Hall, where Beck is to receive a key to the city from Mayor Bud Norris at a sold-out, private event.
Glenn Beck
Protesters started gathering outside the building up to two hours before Beck's 7:30 p.m. appearance.
Anti-Beck protesters were cordoned off to the east, while pro-Beck supporters were funneled to the west, with barricades placed between them. But many of them still managed to debate one another across the barrier.
At least 600 people had gathered by 6 p.m., some from as far away as Oregon.
Beck arrived at about 6 p.m. in a black Chevy Silverado and was whisked past protesters, according to a Twitter feed from the Skagit County Herald.
Meanwhile, an airplane circled overhead with a banner saying, "Change the Locks," and cars and trucks circled up and down the nearby streets.
Protest planners say they are angry about Beck's stance on immigration, 9-11 victims - and for calling Obama a racist. They say Beck should not be given a key to the city.
But Beck supporters say the mayor can do what he wants, since Beck grew up in Mount Vernon and deserves the honor.
The city is definitely divided - the City Council passed a resolution saying, "Mount Vernon City Council is in no way sponsoring the mayor's event on Sept. 26, 2009, and is not connected to the Glenn Beck event in any manner."
In addition, the local chapter of the NAACP filed a protest with Mayor Norris, saying, "(His) ideology is inflammatory and insulting to many of your own constituents."
The Mount Vernon event follows an earlier appearance by Beck at Seattle's Safeco Field, which drew an unexpectedly large crowd of 7,000 supporters - and a small gathering of protesters.
The enthusiastic Safeco Field crowd greeted Beck on Saturday afternoon in Seattle, where his message and brand of journalism resonated with supporters.
"We watch him all the time ... found a common voice," said one participant among the crowd of thousands.
The "Take The Field With Glenn Beck" event had such a big turnout that organizers had to open another section of the stadium so more seats would be available.
Outside Safeco Field, a group of about 30 protesters expressed their displeasure with Beck for calling President Obama a racist who hates white people.
One protester, Don Sly of Seattle, held a tongue-in-cheek sign that said: "Sure he's an idiot bigot, but he's our idiot bigot."
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
