Outside the forum, signs of passion

Crowd was just as vocal outside

By Robb Murray
Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO —

Flanked by the Teamsters on one side and a guy carrying a “Live Free or Die!” sign on the other, Matt Johansen stood quietly among the group of “protesters” outside Mankato East High School Thursday night.

A Waseca resident, Johansen works in Brown Printing’s collections department. And he’s seriously opposed to the government getting into the health care business. That’s why he came to the town hall meeting held at East Thursday. To let people know.

“We do need reform, I’m adamant about that,” he said. But, from what he’s heard about the government’s intentions, he’s not interested in Obama’s or any other politician’s plans.

One thing he was happy about, though, was the fact that his congressman held a public meeting. He says he wrote a letter that was published in the Waseca County News saying Walz should hold a town hall meeting like representatives in other parts of the country.

The day after his letter was published, he says, Walz announced plans for the Thursday’s meeting.

“He listened,” Johansen said.

Johansen wasn’t the only guy with a sign Thursday. The Teamsters — clad in black T-shirts, carrying uniform signs, their semi positioned imposingly in the lot — stood like guards while holding signs with various messages including, “Unfair: Premiums rising three times faster than wages.”

On the other was a man angry with the Teamsters and carrying a signs that said “Live free or die!” and “No Obama care.”

“Why are you here?” he was asked.

“Haven’t you seen what they’ve been doing to people all over the country?”

“No.”

“Well then you’re blind, I can’t talk to you,” he said.

Other signs included: “Abortion is not health care.”

“It’s my life — Extend it, don’t end it.”

“Obama care is a nightmare.”

“Stop government interference in your health care.”

“Kill the health care bill! I choose freedom, I choose my health care plan.”

Perhaps the oddest sign is one that has been showing up at town hall meetings across the country. It is a head shot of Obama. Painted under his nose is a Hitler mustache.

It reads, “I’ve changed.” It was produced by LaRouchePAC.org.

Not everyone came with a sign.

Kim Georgiana of Mankato came because she’s opposed to public health care being offered to illegal immigrants. And Jeff Ambrose of Eden Prairie said he’ll support the administration’s efforts as soon as every American gets the same health coverage as Walz and other congressmen get.

He called the town hall meeting “the cartoon version of the road to serfdom.”

Nearly 750 were allowed inside, and police estimated another 200 were not let in. A large group huddled around the entrance after being turned away, and many stayed until the event was over.