With her hands protected inside a pair of dove-white gloves and a red sunhat shielding her face and neck from the relentless summer rays, 75-year-old Liz Porter sits in her wheelchair on the overpass at Interstate 4 and County Line Road, her protest sign held high.
Two years ago, she suffered a stroke and now requires around-the-clock care from her daughter, Cindy Ernst. But every Saturday, she makes the trip from Sebring to hold her sign, as part of the Lakeland/Polk County chapter of the group, Overpasses for Obama’s Impeachment.
“We need to take our country back,” she said. “It’s just gone too far.”
The sentiment is one shared by all of the group’s members, including Plant City residents Sheila and Jordan Dunkin, who joined Porter Aug. 24, for the group’s recent protest.
“We really need to get this country back in order,” Sheila Dunkin said. “It’s not going anywhere, and it’s getting worse.”
Bre McTiernan started the local chapter after she learned about the grassroots effort through Facebook. Her chapter currently has about 30 members, with about half serving actively during weekly demonstrations. After a sidewalk rally in Lakeland, the group moved to the highly visible County Line Road overpass. Armed with a variety of signs and American flags, the members sought nothing more than honks of support from drivers along I-4.
And the honks came — fast and furious.
“That’s why we’re here,” said Ernst, who wore a white T-shirt with the words, “Honk for USA,” on the front. “I am animated, passionate, and I love God and love our country.”
Nationwide, Overpasses for Obama’s Impeachment has nearly 40,000 participants staging demonstrations in all 50 states. Last week, the movement received national media attention from outlets such as New York Magazine and the CBS affiliate in Washington, D.C. In St. Charles, Mo., a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri State Highway Patrol officers arrested two anti-Obama protesters. A video of the arrests, circulated online, has sparked controversy about potential violations of constitutional rights.
McTiernan said she hopes her local chapter continues to grow and plans to stage weekly rallies in the area.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to wave the flag,” she said. “We love our country, and we want our country back.”
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.
IF YOU GO
The local Lakeland/Polk County chapter of Overpasses for Obama’s Impeachment, which also includes the Plant City area, will be protesting again this weekend.
WHEN: 9 a.m. Aug. 31
WHERE: Interstate 4 overpass at County Line Road, Exit 25
INFORMATION: For more information or to participate, email Bre McTiernan, beachbre43@aol.com, or Carol Bridges, carolsbridge@yahoo.com.