Corrected: Moveon.org Rallies in Bayside

Correction: This article has been revised. A previous version had incorrectly stated that one of the organizers of the rally had asked an anti-Obama member of the group to leave. In fact, Neal Madnick, characterized as “anti-Obama,” does not characterize himself as such, and was not asked to leave. Patch further regrets the misspelling of Madnick's name, and the mischaracterization of a woman he interacted with as an event organizer.

Liberal activist group Moveon.org drew a dozen people to protest in front of Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-Bayside's office on Tuesday.

Moveon.org had organized several simultaneous rallies across Queens to send a message to encourage lawmakers to keep Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits off the cutting room floor of debt ceiling negotiations.

“Where were the Democrats when the Republicans were taking this country?” Janet Wright from Middle Village demanded an answer as she chided a representative from Gary Ackerman’s office.

“Republicans are screwing the economy,” said Lori Bath of Auburndale. “They are doing everything they can to get Obama out of office.

Neal Madnick of Flushing, who teaches American History in Long Island grabbed the attention of all attendees when he spoke about the re-election of President Obama and his recent budget proposal.

“No President was ever re-elected with an employment rate this high, his failures will cost him re-election.”

Curiosity struck a few commuters who honked their horns to show support, while others rolled down their windows to scream a few choice four-letter expletives at the group.

Brian Gardner, a Queens resident and teacher brought his children Justin, 11, Caleb, 9, and Grace, 6, to show them how to stand up for their beliefs.

While looking onto his children, Gardner instructed them, “We’re here because Republicans refuse to raise the debt ceiling, and we have to stand up for our beliefs." Their little faces looked on with astonishment at the lively scene playing out in front of them.

“This is class warfare!” shouted Brian Wright of Middle Village. 

Ackerman's Executive Assistant, Anthony Lemna, welcomed the demonstration as evidence of a vibrant democracy. “We’ve heard about MoveOn.org through several community leaders and we are happy to speak with them,” he said. 

Lemna, said he understands the group's feelings, but his committee assignments do not sync with their demands. Ackerman was is Washington at the time of the demonstration.

“I commend these fine folks for standing with us in demanding a balanced approach (to raise the debt limit) that does not balance the budget on the backs of the middle class and seniors," Ackerman said in a written statement.

"While Republicans continue to support subsidies for big oil companies, loopholes for corporations and tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires, Democrats will continue the fight to protect Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other critical programs that are vital to the middle class," he added.