Violence at Tampa health care forum

[jefferson_dem]

Violence at Tampa health care forum
Posted By: Phil Landeros

Tampa, Florida - Angry protesters and strong supporters are clashing inside and all around a health care reform town hall meeting in Downtown Tampa. The meeting which was scheduled to begin at 6:00 at the Children's Board of Hillsborough County drew hundreds of people who quickly began to overwhelm staff and event organizers at the front entrance.

As the building filled to capacity, angry protesters stuck outside began to scream, yell, and chant. At one point, those trying to get inside began banging on windows as Tampa Police officers quickly spread out guarding all entrances.

10 Connects photojournalist Kevin Carlson, currently inside the meeting reports at least one fist fight breaking out inside. Some other journalists remain outside.

Democratic Congresswoman Kathy Castor and State Representative Betty Reed were hosting the event.

UPDATE 7:13pm

Police on bullhorns are trying to break-up the crowd outside the building on 1002 E. Palm Ave.

Many in the crowd are refusing to go.

Related Story - Pelosi: Protests won't derail health care overhaul

Anticipating problems at health care forums, Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman released the following statement today:

"Throughout the summer, we have been reaching out to Floridians to engage in an important debate on the future our health care system. We have heard story after story from people who are struggling to get the care they need. "Recently, their thoughtful discussions are being interrupted by angry mobs - well funded and organized by Washington special interests - attempting to drown out the voices of the hard-working Floridians who are desperate for health insurance reform. These groups are not concerned about Americans' access to quality heath care, but are extreme ideologues, only interested in 'breaking' the President and thwarting the change Americans voted for last November."

http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=111086&catid=8

[flvegan]

1. I posted earlier in GD about them not being let in

The Fox guy was talking about it "getting ugly" and I just knew it would get worse.

[madaboutharry]

2. What can these people possibly be thinking that would

cause them to behave in an uncivil mannner?

No matter how angry I was about Bush administration policies, it never crossed my mind to punch someone for thinking he was doing a great job.

I really don't believe that these protestors are really all worked up about health care.

[dgibby]

4. These protesters are merely Insurance Industry Pawns.

The organizers are pandering to the basest instincts of these low info, radical right fundies. They have scared them shitless, telling them the govt. is going to ration care, kill their parents and grandparents, etc.

These are the same people who believe everything Rush, Hannity, Beck,Bill O, and Fox tells them, and many, if not most, are racist.

In addition, the Congressional republican leadership is actively encouraging this. As far as I'm concerned, it's time to designate the Repbulican Party as a Hate Group.

IMO, this is NOT going to end well. I would be willing to bet someone will be seriously injured or killed before it's over.

[Fire1]

7. My sentiments exactly. n/t

[Cha]

13. And, this is how insurance companies

treat people.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

3. THE THUGS ARE GOING INSANE AND

THEY HAVE NO INFO ON WHY


LOW INFORMATION VOTERS

THE MEDIA HAS DONE ITS JOB

[dgibby]

5. I just forwarded this to Ed, Keith, and Rachel. n/t

[AspenRose]

6. Doesn't Florida have concealed carry laws?

:scared:

[TomCADem]

8. II Am Glad That Progressives Are Not Backing Down And Getting Intimidated

The right wing is trying to silence the truth, and drown out any dialogue. Its about time that we Healthcare Reform Now!

[SemiCharmedQuark]

9. 60 years is long enough.

[GivePeaceAchance]

10. I'd like to see perspex barricades to protect congress members....

This can all be by-passed by supporting President Obama's grassroots door to door campaign to get the wod out on the public option. This is just sinster political theater now. People can put 2 and 2 togehter this is a co-ordinated situation. When it sprouts all over the nation with the same slogans.

[jefferson_dem]

11. Some video here -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49XUPHp6P-k

[mscuedawg]

12. Would expect nothing less from a town that boasts the "World's Largest Rebel Flag"...

...waving over Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd...

[Rebellious Republican]

14. Here is who the Tampa group is, and their coporate sponsor....

babylonsisters post....
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

my reply to her post...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

Their website....
http://www.meetup.com/tampa912/calendar/11039990

Their coporate sponsor, left hand column on their link...