2,000 rally in Utah against federal policies

Without the Boston Harbor available, Salt Lake residents did the best they could.

A few dressed in traditional colonial garb, while many proudly sported signs proclaiming their indignation over government policies they say crossed constitutional lines years ago. The visiting American Liberty Alliance organizers and members joined with local activists to protest at the Utah Capitol Saturday.

The alliance group, which is on a 20-state tour starting from California, joined with local activist groups in Utah to protest what they say is the federal government's increasing control over health-care reform, education and land-management policies.

"If we got along for so many years without this many government cabinets, why does the government keep expanding?" Ken Marrero, project organizer for ALA, asked. "The government is taking away my liberties, taking away my choices."

More than 2,000 people covered the lawn of the Capitol to show their frustration with legislation that one indignant resident said Americans rarely hear about or see.

"Few people will see anything on health-care reform until it's already been passed," Sally Merino, 34, said.

For 59-year-old Wes Jenkins, a leukemia patient who's been in and out of remission for the past 20 years, health care could be a life-or-death topic.

The Salem resident, who attended the protest with his wife, Alyson, says if health-care reform goes through, the medication he takes might not be available.

"With these policies, I have no assurance that the drug I need will exist," Jenkins said. "Not all drugs work for everyone."

Not only that, but the medication costs $25 a month with health insurance. It would cost $1,400 a month if he paid for it himself.

"Having the government trying to tell my doctor what he can do for me, or a panel deciding what drugs will be used — I have no idea what this will mean," he said.

Members of the crowd booed when a speaker mentioned Sen. Orrin Hatch's name. Susan Southwick, who helps organize rallies, said people are upset that Hatch and Sen. Bob Bennett, both R-Utah, voted for Cass Sunstein to head the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.

"This isn't what the people want," Southwick said. "These senators are out of touch with the people. We need to get new senators in Washington who speak for us."