Protests against Barack Obama occurred throughout the United States during

Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II (born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who was the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the first African American president in American history. O ...

'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 The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is an American 501(c)(3) nonprofit legal advocacy organization specializing in civil rights and public interest litigation. Based in Montgomery, Alabama, it is known for its legal cases against white ...

, 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.

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.

Protests during Obama's presidency

2009

* April 15 – Tea Party protests against high taxes and

big government Big government is a term that refers to a government or public sector that is considered excessively large or unconstitutionally involved in certain areas of public policy or the private sector. The term may also be used specifically concerning ...

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. The ceremony itself took place peacefully with the few hecklers shouted down and Obama receiving several standing ovations. * 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. * September 12 – Taxpayer March on Washington. Tea Party rally consisting of tens of thousands marched on Washington protesting the expansion of government spending.

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 Present-day climate change includes both global warming—the ongoing increase in Global surface temperature, global average temperature—and its wider effects on Earth's climate system. Climate variability and change, Climate change in ...

from President Obama and the government. Particular focus was put on stopping the expansion of the

Keystone Pipeline The Keystone Pipeline System is an Pipeline transport, oil pipeline system in Canada and the United States, commissioned in 2010, formerly owned by TC Energy. It is now owned by South Bow, following TC Energy's spin off of its liquids business i ...

. *July – Obama's visit to

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...

sparks protests against United States actions in the Middle East.

2015

* June 22 – Protesters rallied at

Times Square Times Square is a major commercial intersection, tourist destination, entertainment hub, and Neighborhoods in New York City, neighborhood in the Midtown Manhattan section of New York City. It is formed by the junction of Broadway (Manhattan), ...

to denounce the Iran nuclear deal, with calls for Congress to reject the agreement.

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.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Obama, Barack Protests in the United States Protests against results of United States elections Barack Obama controversies Protests against politicians