Advocates take Obama issues to sidewalk

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) - Hundreds of protesters lined Rio Ranch streets Thursday determined to declare their messages even if they didn't reach the ears of President Obama as he headed to and from his town hall meeting.

Some were for, some were against, and all were trying to get their points across.

Residents could be heard yelling, "Spend the stimulus, yes; spend the stimulus"

There were take-action signs, and signs targeting the protestors themselves.

So many clashing ideas even lead to protesters turning on each other.

No matter their cause they all showed up to make a point to the president.

Kathy Chavez says she came out to support education funding.

"Ask him to please remind New Mexico not to save the education stimulus money but to spend it as he intended, as he directed," she said. "Spend it wisely, spend it quickly, save jobs and create jobs."

Matthew Kearns said his message was support for the military.

”I'm here to stand up for the U.S. veterans and tell Hussein Barack Obama that 9/11 isn't a joke," he said reversing the president's first and middle names. "Don't be flying over our city, New York City.”

Kearns also said he hoped the president got the message but that it didn't matter.

The whole crowd wasn't full of just protesters though.

Steve Chase and his two girls stood on the sidewalk for over an hour just hoping to catch a glimpse of Obama.

“For the social lesson, to see the president and see how close they can get to him," Chase said.

"It's pretty cool that he's here," one of his daughters said. "We get to see his limo and stuff."

The crowds thinned out as the president began speaking inside Rio Rancho High School about 10 a.m.

There were about 100 protesters left on the sidewalk as he left.

Although some of the protesters and counter-protesters clashed verbally, police said officers did not have to get involved.