Thousands For, Against Health Reform Gather in Phoenix
At first, the most vocal of the protestors were pro-health care reform and pro-Obama. Many were sporting Obama-Biden campaign t-shirts, buttons, stickers -- the works.
A spokeswoman for the Arizona Democratic Party says that people have been calling their offices wanting to get involved. After seeing the rage and rancor at congressional town halls around the country, many Democrats here have been looking for ways to have their voices heard, calling or e-mailing the state party asking "where can we show our support." The state party and groups such as the Obama campaign arm, Organizing for America, used social networking, e-mails and traditional word of mouth to mobilize their supporters.
5247141A few hours into the demonstrations, more anti-Obama and anti-health care protestors showed up outside the Phoenix convention center. With chants of "kill the bill" and "no Obama," the two sides of protestors faced off against each other from across an intersection.
A few of the anti-Obama protestors said they were not part of any group, just individuals out protesting. One man, an independent, said he was out because he didn't like what was happing on the health care front. One protestor took it to the extreme, hanging a stuffed donkey, the symbol of the Democrat party, from a noose.
CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care
Robert Hendin is a CBS News White House producer. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here.