From www.bishoponair.com

Marching to audit the Fed

September 16, 2009
by Greg Bishop

It is time to audit the Federal Reserve was the message Tuesday afternoon. Around 20 members of the public from around central Illinois gathered to send that clear messages in downtown Springfield, September 15th. S604, the Federal Reserve Sunshine Act of 2009, has 24 cosponsors in the Senate. Current cosponsors do not including the two Senators form Illinois: Senators Roland Burris and Dick Durbin.

A public display of Audit the Fed signs along with bullhorn-chants of get the country out of the red, audit the Fed and no more hanky panky Bernanke, show us the money were combined with thousands of signatures to be delivered to both Senator Burris and Durbins Springfield office. The rally began at the Old State Capitol Historic Plaza in the Capitol City.

After being interviewed by several different media outlets covering the start up of the rally, protestors began marching east on Adams street towards Senator Burris Springfield office. As rally participants stood outside the building holding signs, several members entered the lobby with cameras and over 300 signatures urging Senator Burris to support S604. Staffers were called down to the lobby to pick up the petitions.

Delivering the petitions to staffers also provided the chance to share, in person, the importance of transparency within the Federal Reserve Banking System. One staffer said he was not sure if Burris is aware of the bill, but ensured he would get the signatures to the Senator.

After delivering the signatures to Burris office, the march continued down 6th street with boisterous chants and passing cars honking in support. Marchers made their way to Jackson Street and turned east. As they continued their march towards Senator Durbins office, which is located on the grounds of the Abraham Lincoln historic home site, they were stopped by park police.

Whoa, whoa, whoa ..., a man came charging with hands waving. You cant have signs here. The free speech zone is down the street, the park officer said.

Free speech zone? This is America! We have a permit from the city

This is Federal property. You need a Federal permit

Then, another officer stepped out of a building with a gun on his hip and an attack dog by his side. Apparently, in order to protest on Federal Property you must have a Federal protest permit. Springfield protesters only obtained a city protest permit. Lessons learned for next time!

The officer with the attack dog politely asked the marchers to not disrupt the tourists visiting Lincolns historic site by using the bullhorn or chanting. He then escorted the group to Senator Durbins Springfield office, which is located on Federal property.

After arriving at Senator Durbins Springfield office, the armed escort asked the members to wait outside while he went to touch base with Durbins staff. About five minutes later, Bill Houlihan, Durbins scheduler, came out and was greeted with a box containing over 2000 signatures urging Senator Durbin to support the Federal Reserve Sunshine Act of 2009. Houlihan asked several questions about the bill: Who sponsored the bill in the Senate and whether it was in committee in the House? Both questions were answered and thanks were sent all around. We worked really hard throughout the summer gathering these signatures, Brent Roos of Peoria County said.

After delivering the petitions from across the state, marchers proceeded towards the free speech zone and began chanting and marching back to their original starting position at the Old State Capitol Historic Plaza. Similar rallies were held in Chicago and across the country urging Senators to support S604, the Federal Reserve Sunshine Act of 2009

Greg Bishop organized the Springfield audit the Fed rally and can be reached by phone: 217.633.4030 or email: bishoponair@gmail.com (less info)