Protests against Barack Obama explained

Protests against Barack Obama occurred throughout the United States during Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign and during Obama's presidency.

Many incidents of racism occurred across the United States in the wake of Barack Obama's election as the country's first black president. These incidents included cross burnings, threats of violence, racial slurs, and other forms of harassment against black individuals, with many incidents being reported after the election. The Southern Poverty Law Center, which monitored hate crimes, noted an increase in such incidents following the election. Many people believed that these incidents reflected a deep-seated racism that continued to exist in America, even after Obama's historic election. The article quoted individuals who expressed frustration and anger with the changes that Obama represented, including one man who advocated for the deportation of all members of Obama's former church. Others noted that racism, like cancer, was never totally eliminated but instead was in remission.^[1]

Protests during the campaign

2008

During the 2008 presidential election, particularly in the lead up to November 4, election day, numerous racist incidents against Obama were documented.^[2]

Protests during Obama's presidency

2009

• April 15 – Tea Party protests against high taxes and big government were held in Lafayette Park.
• May 17 – The University of Notre Dame's selection of President Barack Obama as its commencement speaker led to a gathering the day before of around a hundred anti-abortion rights activists to protest against his invitation.^[3] The ceremony itself took place peacefully with the few hecklers shouted down and Obama receiving several standing ovations.^[4]
• July 4 – About 2,000 small-government advocates gathered for Tea Party Day to protest the economic stimulus plan and health care initiative of the Obama administration and Congress.^{[5] [6]}
• September 12 – Taxpayer March on Washington. Tea Party rally consisting of tens of thousands marched on Washington protesting the expansion of government spending.^[7]

2013

• February 17 – Forward on Climate (not necessarily a protest against Obama as much as a protest to pressure Obama). An estimated 40,000 people rallied on the Mall and marched to the White House demanding action on climate change from President Obama and the government. Particular focus was put on stopping the expansion of the Keystone Pipeline.
• July – Obama's visit to South Africa sparks protests against United States actions in the Middle East.^[8]

2015

• June 22 – Protesters rallied at Times Square to denounce the Iran nuclear deal, with calls for Congress to reject the agreement.^[9]

2016

• November 16 – Anti-Obama protests were held in Athens, Greece during his visit there, and became violent after Greek riot police used tear gas.^[10]

See also

• Public image of Barack Obama
• Timeline of protests against Hillary Clinton
• Protests against George W. Bush
• Protests against Donald Trump
• Tea Party protests
• White backlash

Notes and References

1. Web site: Obama election spurs race threats, crimes . 2023-03-11 . NBC News . 15 November 2008 . en.
2. News: Racist Backlash Greets President Barack Obama. Southern Poverty Law Center. en. 2017-02-04.
3. News: Protests Precede Obama At Notre Dame . 1 January 2020 . www.cbsnews.com . CBS . 17 May 2009.
4. News: President Obama's Visit to Notre Dame Carries Barely a Hint of Controversy That Preceded It . 1 January 2020 . The Chronicle of Higher Education . 17 May 2009 . The ceremony, which was Webcast live, continued as it had begun, in an atmosphere that was both celebratory and respectful, and was punctuated many times by cheers, applause, and standing ovations.
5. Web site: TEA Party activists rally at Capitol . Rachel . Streitfeld. www.cnn.com. en. 2018-08-21.
6. Web site: Bernstein. Jonathan. The Consequences of Weak Crowd Numbers. Bloomberg View. Bloomberg. 2 February 2017. 23 January 2017. In 2009-2010, (journalists) chose to take Tea Party protests against Barack Obama very seriously indeed, which in turn probably strengthened those actions and helped to convince members of Congress to treat them as a massive popular movement..
7. News: Protesters March on Washington. Sherman. Jake. 2009-09-13. Wall Street Journal. 2018-08-21. en-US. 0099-9660.
8. Web site: Bond. Patrick. Obama's message in South Africa. SocialistWorker.org. International Socialist Organization. 2 February 2017. 4 July 2013. a small anti-imperialist movement has emerged here, announcing three protests against Barack Obama--in Pretoria, Soweto and Cape Town--especially because of ongoing U.S. meddling in the Middle East, what with Palestinians under the thumb of an Israeli occupation largely approved and subsidized by Washington..
9. News: Americans pack Times Square to denounce Iran deal. Yahoo! News. July 22, 2015. July 23, 2015.
10. News: Violent anti-Obama protests break out in Athens. The Telegraph. en-GB. 16 November 2016. 1 February 2017. Greek riot police used tear gas and stun grenades in central Athens on Tuesday to disperse about 3,000 Left-wing marchers protesting a visit by President Barack Obama.