Sensing that the moment was ripe, World Net Daily (WND) columnist Larry Klayman sent out the call for revolution. “MILLIONS TO OCCUPY WASHINGTON D.C.,” Klayman announced, declaring to the world that his Tea Party-powered "second American Revolution" would gather near the White House in Lafayette Square on November 19 and sweep President Obama from office. “In conjunction with the masses gathered in Lafayette Park, we encourage millions to occupy parks, sidewalks, public areas, etc., consistent with the law.”
Klayman's revolution never quite managed to reach its lofty attendance goals. At its peak, the rally had about 130 people in attendance.
The revolutionaries gathered in Lafayette Square consisted of birthers and other conspiracy theorists voicing their opposition to the Obama administration. The protest, organized by Klayman's group Freedom Watch, demanded the “resignations of President Barack Hussein Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and House Speaker John Boehner.” Despite nearly six hours of speeches and some creative hand-made signs, at day's end the three men remained securely in office.
Klayman is a long-time conservative activist who despite indulging in several conspiracy theories (like claiming that President Obama is not a natural born U.S. citizen) has remained in a position of influence with some on the right. Klayman recently appeared alongside Sarah Palin and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) at a protest related to the government shutdown.
In his opening remarks to the gathered revolutionaries, Klayman said he suspected Obama would be “hiding under his desk” in reaction to the protest. Klayman said he and the other organizers had assembled “a Gideon's Army of people” to oppose “tyranny,” and assured the audience that they had “God on our side” which would ensure eventual victory for the “revolution.”
Klayman announced plans for a future gathering in Philadelphia in order to convene a constitutional convention and elect a president, vice president, cabinet and other officials with the goal of replacing the current government when it either steps down or is overthrown via nonviolent means.
Appearing with Klayman was an actor dressed as George Washington who read a “Declaration of Independence” that proclaims the right of the American people to be “free from the tyranny of President Barack Hussein Obama and his compromised and corrupt Democrat and Republican Party enablers in Congress and the courts.”
The declaration also enumerates “a list of demands that require resolution,” such as changing the “rules of engagement” so that they no longer “favor Muslim jihadists.” It demands the end of Obamacare, which is an “attempt at socializing” America; lower taxes for all citizens; the abolishment of the IRS; and the sealing the U.S. border. The declaration also insists that President Obama “submit himself to examination and appear in front of a citizens' grand jury” regarding his many treasons, and that he “provide a physical, original copy of his birth certificate.”
WND founder and columnist Joseph Farah spoke and described the “growing tyranny” in America, adding that “we've heard the litany of high crimes and misdemeanors perpetrated by the occupant of the White House.”
Farah dedicated his speech to Miriam Carey, the woman who was shot by police after a high speed chase from the White House to the U.S. Capitol. Farah said the incident was symptomatic of a growing “police state” in America.
Accuracy in Media's (AIM) Roger Aronoff, who earlier this year announced a “citizens commission” to investigate the Benghazi attacks, also spoke. As he had at AIM's event, Aronoff revisited several long-debunked Benghazi-related conspiracies and promoted AIM's ongoing efforts to supposedly uncover the truth.
Aronoff attacked “the failure of the media to do their job” in covering important political issues, invoking Fox News contributor Pat Caddell's claim that “the media have become the enemy of the American people.” He also praised Fox News and talk radio for carrying the conservative message, but his speech was cut short when the generator powering the public address system died. (This happened several times during the event.)
Benghazi was a constant theme at the rally, with speakers regurgitating false stories and assertions about the attack on the U.S. consulate that have become common in conservative circles (particularly on Fox News). The audience was very receptive to the Benghazi rhetoric and several signs referenced the attack. Other signs demanded Obama's impeachment and equated his actions with those of Osama bin Laden and other terrorists.
Occasional Washington Times columnist James Lyons (who was at AIM's Benghazi event) spoke, describing the “Obama doctrine” which he claimed “undercut[s] our friends and allies, leaving them confused and feeling betrayed.” Two congressional candidates spoke to the audience: Former Rep. Bob Barr (R-GA), who is attempting to mount a comeback to Congress; and Joe Kaufman, a fringe Republican from Florida. Klayman expressed disappointment that “tea party” members of Congress who had been invited failed to show up.
Other speakers at the rally attacked “lazy parasites” on government assistance, “government grants to the medias [sic],” martial law, a “civil war on Christianity,” and the purported ACORN plot in all 50 states that stole the 2008 election on behalf of President Obama.
Some members of the conservative media were covering the rally, including conspiracy theorist Zeeda Andrews, who organized the failed “Truckers for the Constitution” event in October, and frequent Fox News guest Michelle Fields as part of NextGeneration.TV.