Operation American Spring, Day 1, Part 1

Yesterday was the start of Operation American Spring, a protest against the policies and actions of President Obama, House Speaker Boehner, Senator Reid, and other people in high places.  Due to my proximity to Washington, D.C., deciding to participate was essentially a no-brainer.  I arrived at around 8:00 a.m., at a location east of the Washington Monument, previously agreed on with a fellow BlogTalkRadio user known as Movin Forward.  After meeting up, we proceeded up to the Monument, which had previously been indicated by the OAS organization to be a starting point.  A small number of participants had gathered near the base of the Monument.  While enduring some rather intense rain, we exchanged pleasantries with some people, but also took some time to kneel down in prayer.  During the morning the rain gradually subsided and stopped, making life easier for us protesters.

Here are a few wet participants, in front of a few of the flags that surround the Washington Monument.

Toward the right, in this view facing the base of the Monument, the man in green, wearing glasses and a baseball cap, talking to a man in a light blue shirt, is Colonel Harry Riley, the principal organizer of the event.

These men present their grievances.

Here are their opinions of the president and his signature piece of legislation.

Looking to the west, a view of the Lincoln Memorial, its reflecting pool, and part of the World War II memorial.

Steve Elliott of A 'Cross America Ministries brought his cross.  Somehow, I don't think that anyone crucified by the Romans had the luxury of a wheel at the bottom end.

A few protesters had their signs.

Another group brought theirs.

From the location of the photo immediately above, several people gave some short speeches, including Pastor Wiley Drake, the official OAS chaplain, wearing the suit and tie.  Colonel Riley, in green, stands next to him.  By this time, the weather had greatly improved.

Here's another shot with Pastor Drake.

Pictures from the event will continue in the next post.