Rep.: Protesters Yelled Racial Slurs

Updated at 10:52 p.m. ET

House Democrats heard it all Saturday - words of inspiration from President Obama and raucous chants of protests from demonstrators. And at times it was flat-out ugly, including some racial epithets aimed at black members of Congress and gay slurs directed toward one of Washington's openly gay lawmakers.

Most of the day's important work leading up to Sunday's historic vote on health care was being done behind closed doors. Democratic leaders cajoled, bargained and did what they could to nail down the votes they will need to finally push Mr. Obama's health care overhaul bill through the House.

Complete Coverage: Health Care Reform

But much else about the day was noisy, emotional and right out in the open. After more than a year debating the capstone of Mr. Obama's domestic agenda and just hours to go before the showdown vote, there was little holding back.

The tone was set outside the Capitol. Clogging the sidewalks and streets of Capitol Hill were at least hundreds - no official estimate was yet available - of loud, furious protesters, many of them tea party opponents of the health care overhaul.

Rep. Andre Carson, D-Ind., told a reporter that as he left the Cannon House Office Building with Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., a leader of the civil rights era, some among the crowd chanted "the N-word, the N-word, 15 times." Both Carson and Lewis are black, and Lewis spokeswoman Brenda Jones also said that it occurred.

"It was like going into the time machine with John Lewis," said Carson, a large former police officer who said he wasn't frightened but worried about the 70-year-old Lewis, who is twice his age. "He said it reminded him of another time."

Kristie Greco, spokeswoman for Democratic Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., said a protester spit on Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., who is black and said police escorted the lawmakers into the Capitol. Cleaver's office said he would decline to press charges, but Sgt. Kimberly Schneider of the U.S. Capitol Police said in an e-mail later: "We did not make any arrests today."

Clyburn, who led fellow black students in integrating South Carolina's public facilities a half century ago, called the behavior "absolutely shocking."

"I heard people saying things today that I have not heard since March 15, 1960, when I was marching to try to get off the back of the bus," Clyburn told reporters.

(Note: Democratic Whip Jim Clyburn is scheduled to appear on CBS' "Face the Nation" Sunday)

Several lawmakers said they heard racial slurs and at one point someone yelled a gay slur toward Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass, CBS Radio News reports.

Frank, who is gay, called the angry protests part of a mob mentality that doesn't work politically, CBS Radio News reports.

Rallies outside the Capitol are typically orderly, with speeches and well-behaved crowds. Saturday's was different, with anger-fueled demonstrators surrounding members of Congress who walked by, yelling at them.

"Kill the bill," the largely middle-aged crowd shouted, surging toward lawmakers who crossed the street between their office buildings and the Capitol.

The motorcade that carried Mr. Obama to Capitol Hill to whip up support for the bill drove past crowds waving signs that read "Stop the spending" and "Get your hands out of my pocketbook and health care." Many booed and thrust their thumbs down as Mr. Obama rode by.

As police held demonstrators back to clear areas for lawmakers outside the Capitol Mr. Obama's speech, some protesters jeered and chanted at the officers, "You work for us."

Inside House office buildings, protesters made their views known by visiting lawmakers' offices and chanting at legislators walking by.

• Quick Poll

Will President Obama line up the votes in the House to pass health reform?
 Yes
 No
 Too Close to Call

Among the demonstrators was Delane Stewart, 65, of Cookeville, Tenn., who had come with her husband, Jesse.

"You know what's coming next if this happens?" she said, referring to the health bill's passage. "They're going to come after gun control."

Retired businessman Randy Simpson, 67, of Seneca, S.C., also said the health bill was just a first step.

"My concerns are about the health care bill, and the direction it takes us is toward communism, quite frankly," he said.

More Coverage of Health Care Reform Debate:
House Releases Schedule for Health Vote
Obama to House: Health Care Reform is in Your Hands
Pelosi: No Separate Abortion Vote for Health Care Bill
The Hunt for Health Care Votes: Democrats to Watch
Obama: Health Care Debate is About Country's Character
Obama Deploys Personal Presidential Touch

Details on the Bill:
What's in Health Care Bill? Take a Dose
Health Care Special Deals: What's Left In?
Read the Text (PDFs): Complete Senate Bill| Reconciliation Measure

At a daylong meeting of the House Rules Committee, members of both parties squeezed into a tiny hearing room traded accusations in a session that was often a shouting match.

"You all in the minority know what the American people think," Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., said loudly and mockingly at Republicans repeatedly saying the public overwhelmingly opposes Mr. Obama's health care bill.

Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, said a tricky voting procedure Democrats had been contemplating "corrupts and prostitutes the system" and would "unleash a cultural war in this country."

Mr. Obama's Capitol Hill visit was the day's emotional peak for House Democrats as he sought to energize them to finally approve the legislation.

Obama: "We're a Day Away"

He conceded that it could be tough for some to vote for the bill, but predicted it would end up being politically smart because once it becomes law people will realize they like its provisions like curbs on insurance companies.

"It is in your hands," the president said in what Clyburn later called the best speech he'd ever heard Mr. Obama make. "It is time to pass health care reform for America, and I am confident that you are going to do it tomorrow."

[judeenw]

Just as my refrigerator magnet states: Beware of very stupid people in large groups.

[JourneyHomeBurke]

Those demonstrations outside the Capital are the exact same tactics the republican corporation used in 2000 to derail the recount in Florida.

Imagine this world and country if the evil forces of greed, fear mongering, win at all cost fraudsters, oil barons and corporatist who had orchestrated the storming of the re-counters in Florida had been ignored in the first place.

A Gore Presidency would have already kick started the green technology revolution, scaled back our dependence on foreign oil, continued to streamline the governments procurement process, expanded broad band to all, upheld and improved our environmental standards and our health, and all on a balanced budget. Remember the peace dividend - well there would have been more of it.

Ignore the paid for corporate assembled hoards trying to violently prop up the status quo as their death grip on our economy and political process slowly, very slowly begins to loosen. They have made a mess of things through deregulation and redistricting and the pendulum is swinging back the other way.

The orchestrated angry mobs are nothing but a bunch of duped racists and henchmen for the well heeled. The well heeled who are trying to hoard as much as they can for themselves - destroying the country in the process is of no concern to them and has no affect on their bloated bank accounts stuffed with ill-gotten gain, tax loopholes, and no bid contracts - pathetic boys, pathetic. As their grip is loosened ever so slowly expect the same tactics, lawsuits, rigged elections, rigged redistricting, rigged courts, racial slurs, end of world scenarios, the repeal of our rights and the seizure and control of our media outlets.

You better all pray its already not too late. And remember the angrier they get the more successful the middle class becomes.

Paul Burke
Author-Journey Home

[slingemaster]

The racial and homophobic epithets are disgusting, but I'm sure not all the Tea Party folks are bigots. But the thing I can't get my mind around is why all these retired people, who would probably give up their guns before they'd give up their Medicare, see extending government funded health care to younger people as a sign the country is turning communist. I can only assume they've been whipped up into a frenzy about this by Rush and Fox News and haven't really stopped to think it through.

[jgg000101]

there is a big question as to whether this is true. nowadays, everything, and I do mean everything is videotaped. I find it hard to believe that with such an historic vote there is no actual videotape of anything, especially when someone claimed the "n" word was used 15 times. You would think somebody would have turned a camera on. Secondly, it has already been proven that the 11 year old kid, marcellus owens was a plant at a recent obama speech, and the woman who wrote the letter about having breast cancer and no healthcare coverage was a ruse. I also cannot forget the person in colorado who smashed the election office front window during the campaign and threw anti-obama and racist literature around turning out to actually be the son of a democrat who was working on the campaign. Finally, after this story broke, seeing nancy pelosi walking with her gavel, surrounded by members of the congressional black caucus it makes me highly suspicious that this was nothing more than a stunt to evoke sympathy and gain favor for the bill.
I hope they investigate this. If it's true, it's horrible. If it was a stunt, it is reprehensible.

[debbydoodles]

That's because it was fabricated. The DEMS are doing everything they can to pass this entitlement. This is not health care reform it is another entitlement that will fail like all the others (at the cost of our seniors) and will further bankrupt our nation.

There is no proof and the folks that are participants in the Tea Party Movement or Americans for Prosperity are so unlikely to do this.

[sandsnnydz]

I don't believe this for a minute!!! This is an outrageous LIE if this were true it would be on VIDEO for the world to see!!!
This would be VIRAL by now!!! I don't believe a WORD coming out of this White House not one WORD!

I have never heard this language at any protests with any Tea Party members NEVER!!!! Not once!!!

These people were plants for sympathy and God help the people who put them up to it
when the TRUTH comes out, and it will!!

Shame on CBS for running with this story!!! The New York Times, AOL yes .. but not CBS shame on you all!!

[bill517]

These accusations are being proven to have been UNTRUE. I am truly disappointed to see venerable cbs running these LIES without checking them out more carefully.

[strangeworld]

In my earlier days, I had been involved with protesting an issue that I still believe is unfair. I can tell you this...no matter how good you think your cause is, when you allow overtly racist, ignorant people to join you in protest, you've just lost the battle. It only takes a few of these morons to foul up the works...especially in this time of cable news.

My own personal belief is that there are a lot more than a few racists and homophobes in the teaparty movement...it's the type of "us against them" situation that draws these social miscreants like flies to a manure pile.

Any validity that the teaparty had has been compromised by getting their funding and organization from big business, allowing their members to be party to veiled or overt threats of violence i.e. carrying guns to the protests, and having the leadership of not only the teaparty movement, but also the GOP, stand mute as some of the most vile racist and homophobic behavior is played out by those in the movement.

Through it's behavior, the Teaparty movement has lost it's ability to draw sane, mainstream Americans to it's cause.

[jokr8790]

Right. Its bad press to let OVERTLY racist ignorant people to be heard by the press. People with hidden racist agendas are much more acceptable to the Republican/Teaparty. Its generally one of the few things I frequently admired about republicans though, they are racists and have always been proud of it. They are open and honest about their anti-minority anti-working class, pro-war profiteer agenda.

[drthvader]

According to the video this did NOT happen. They do shout "kill the bill".

[tsigili]

Angry people say things, in the heat of anger. Get over it, and recognize that what you trying to do, the majority of citizens in this country strongly disagree with, and in my personal view, the methods being used to try and pass this bad bill, border on dictatorship, and absolutely are indicative of zero ethics, zero democracy, and at this moment, I compare Obama to Chavez, who is trying to rule as a dictator, by decree.

If you expected people to be civil to anyone in Washington, right now, no matter who they are, you have expected too much.

[lakota2012]

You and your FAUX NoNooz syccophants can continue to 'think' the majority of Americans are against health care reform, but you're wrong, just like condoning angry people spewing racial and homophobic epithets at anyone's place of work -- even congresscritters. This health care reform will certainly pass this evening, and the teabagger's lose.

[debbydoodles]

Tsigili,
Thank you for your comments. You are absolutely correct. Lakota2012's comments depicts the the minority in this Country that are looking for yet another entitlement for themselves instead of working toward real reform. When you are a person who is already receiving entitlements, you are already invaded by government so that is why so many that support this unconsititional bill don't care about the increase of government in their life and since they don't pay taxes, there is total disregard for the 16,500 additional IRS agents that will be added to enforce this bill. When these folks get the knock at the door looking for the $2,500 fine for not buying insurance (before the entitlement goes into effect) we will all be saying "I told you so."

[debbydoodles]

It is amazing how far the democrats are willing to go. To plant people to belittle and take away the true meaning of the tea party members. If the democrats would educate themselves, the tea party is made up of folks from all races, nationalities, religion and economical means. They are not "racist", they are the folks who are true American Patriots, those that have fought for our country and love this Nation. The tea party patriots are not republicans or democrats necessarily but are moderates who want to save our country from corruption, reckless spending and total disregard for the US Constitution. I do not want a health care system run by the government. I want real health care reform that does not discriminate for pre-existing conditions, allows for nationalized options, etc. Do you realize under Obama care that you are not covered if you travel outside the US? Well you DON'T! You can get a college Pell gran under Obama care - Wow, isn't that terrific, more spending. How many of you Democrats actually read this bill. If you did it would make your stomach hurt.... Oh yeah, it will take months for you to have that stomach pain looked at.... Ha! Ha! Ha! What goes around comes around. I can't wait for the first 60+ year old that voted for these knuckleheads who is diagnosed with Cancer and is told to get in line for a C-Scan. They wait three months and find that the CAncer has now spread and then told ... I'm sorry, your too old and by the time we can get you an appointment for surgery you will be dead anyway so let me help you pick out your casket.

Thank you President Obama! Speaker of the House Pelosi and Speaker Reed!

Of course, this doesn't effect you as you will have the "beautiful people" insurance.

By the way... union members... you will be assessed a "Cadallac" tax because you will be considered to have premium insurance....

This and many more can be read in the Senate passed bill that is currently under debate. You can also read about the changes that were made during reconcilliation, and if you thought the "sweet deals" were removed, think again..... Votes have been purchased... and of course they were - this one is as good as the stimulus bill that still the average unemployment rate at 10% (15% or more in some states)! WAKE UP PEOPLE!

[shurch4truth]

debbydoodles March 21, 2010 3:46 PM EDT
It is amazing how far the democrats are willing to go. To plant people to belittle and take away the true meaning of the tea party members."

...do you really think anyone believe that you have already done a full investigation to conclude this???

...What's worst than this actually happeing is you saying it did without really knowing.

...if this is the make up of teabaggers than G-d help us!!!

[shurch4truth]

"As police held demonstrators back to clear areas for lawmakers outside the Capitol Mr. Obama's speech, some protesters jeered and chanted at the officers, "You work for us." "


...amusing

I was a Federal Law Enforcement Officer for 23 years and noticed that this sort of remark always came from people who did not seem to be very smart....I see they are still out there. Besides, I did not work for them, I worked for the Executive Branch of Government - Democrat and Republican.

Never the less, I always protected the rights of the dumb types as much as anybody else.

Peace Frinds

And to all the opponents - a lot of the people out there who don't have health insurance are soldiers who went to war to risk their lives for you....give them a break and give them a chance to get health insurance....stop being so close minded.