By: HISTORY.com Editors
Tea Party protest draws thousands to Washington, D.C.
On September 12, 2009, thousands of protesters participate in the “Taxpayer March on Washington,” one of the earliest and biggest Tea Party movement events. Marchers in the nation’s capital clogged streets near the Capitol, railing against President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform proposals, federal spending, taxes and support for women's reproductive rights, among other issues.
Organizers touted the protest as the largest outpouring of political conservatives. Estimates of the number of protesters varied wildly, from 75,000 to more than one million. No official crowd estimates were issued. The event was widely promoted on blogs, TV and talk radio. The Wall Street Journal reported organizers believed protesters came from all 50 states.
Simultaneous protests were held in Denver, Dallas and elsewhere.
Marchers in Washington waved American flags and held signs that read “Go Green Recycle Congress,” “Please wake up and save America,” “Obama Bin Lyin’” and “We The People.” Referring to the president’s healthcare plan, protesters used slogans such as “Obamacare makes me sick” and “I’m not your ATM.”
Republican politicians largely embraced the event. "The coming weeks and months may well set the course for this nation for a generation," said Indiana Representative Mike Pence, the No. 3 GOP leader. Pence served as President Donald Trump's vice president from 2016-2020.
Later, on November 5, 2009, several thousand Tea Party Movement protesters rallied in Washington against healthcare reform. In Washington on March 24, 2012, several hundred Tea Party activists called on the U.S. Supreme Court to repeal Obamacare, which did not happen.
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Citation Information
- Article Title
- Tea Party protest draws thousands to Washington, D.C.
- Author
- HISTORY.com Editors
- Website Name
- History
- Date Accessed
- October 21, 2026
- Publisher
- A&E Television Networks
- Last Updated
- February 18, 2025
- Original Published Date
- April 29, 2022
