We Are Marching to the White House': 'Million Vet March' Descends on Washington, Barricades Torn Down

UPDATES:

The following video from Facebook user Paul Longenecker shows a confrontation in front of the White House between law enforcement officials and protestors:

US Park Police have arrived in front of WH. Some in riot gear! Tea party/veteran protesters start booing.

— Jim Acosta (@JimAcostaCNN) October 13, 2013

Obama’s America. Cc: @radleybalko RT @ConstWarrrior: #1MVetMarch Moving in pic.twitter.com/jhwBKwUa3o

— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) October 13, 2013

More and More Police Arriving #1MVetMarch pic.twitter.com/8fxKMUbl0H

— Constitution Warrior (@ConstWarrrior) October 13, 2013

Mounted security near WH, to control crowds. #1mvetmarch pic.twitter.com/nq1P34avZD

— Beth (@betbell3) October 13, 2013

DC #1MVetMarch Lines are being drawn pic.twitter.com/B2wNOx0nFc

— Constitution Warrior (@ConstWarrrior) October 13, 2013

Hoping this doesn't get ugly #1MVet #1mVetmarch #1MVetProtest pic.twitter.com/xuaIMOCfKL”

— ARMOR Bearer 147 (@ARMORBearer147) October 13, 2013

Strange to hear helicopters buzzing so close & so constantly around #Vietnam Memorial - @Cameron_Gray pic.twitter.com/nkhu3XUT3J

— Lolo Gray (@LoLoGray6979) October 13, 2013

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Members of the so-called “Million Vet March” descended on Washington, D.C., Sunday to protest the Obama administration’s decision to close the city's public memorials.

Thousands of demonstrators arrived early in the morning and tore down barricades that had been set up to block people from visiting the popular attractions, WTOP reports.

The group said military personnel and veterans are “being used a political pawns in the ongoing government shutdown and budget crisis,” according to a statement on its website.

The group also said it has no political leaning, but believes that the closing of memorials is “a despicable act of cowardice.”

Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) spoke to the crowd at around 9:30 am ET and were later joined by former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

The crowd energized itself by chanting "Tear down these walls!" and singing "God Bless America" and other patriotic songs.

“Tractor-trailers headed down 17th Street toward the Mall, blaring their horns. The Metropolitan Police Department blocked off the street, prompting the crowd to head up the street, shouting at the police to move their vehicles,” WTOP reports.

“By 11 a.m., the group had headed back to the memorial, and dozens congregated around World War II veterans, shaking their hands and thanking them for their service,” the report adds.

Here's a collection of pictures from people who were there:

Barricades are trashed on the side of the hill. pic.twitter.com/AXFpo2J1Ub

— Gabriel Malor (@gabrielmalor) October 13, 2013

Gadsden Flags on fence at White House #tcot #vetmarch #shutdown pic.twitter.com/2xw05il7eS

— ibreakthings (D) (@Kudzu81) October 13, 2013

Barricades at the Whitehouse gate. Lol pic.twitter.com/Z72dP84F6i

— Rick Clark (@rclark50) October 13, 2013

No NPS right now. pic.twitter.com/fOgyy0pCyF

— Gabriel Malor (@gabrielmalor) October 13, 2013

#BARRY-CADES DOWN. WE HAVE ARRIVED. #1MVetMarch pic.twitter.com/5mlutXWjVe

— Melissa (@MelissaRNMBA) October 13, 2013

Note how the angry mob neatly stacks the Barrycades. pic.twitter.com/GDeP1VIdTE

— Arthur Kimes (@ComradeArthur) October 13, 2013

A veteran paraplegic on a Segway is helping carry a barricade #1MVetMarch pic.twitter.com/3gDx7uZGQn

— Andrew Creech (@andrewbcreech) October 13, 2013

Barrycades to the White House - Return To Sender pic.twitter.com/5NupHnJ7nI

— Concerned American (@WRSABlog) October 13, 2013

WWII veterans have arrived #tcot #shutdown #vetmarch pic.twitter.com/FZlBAmB18X

— ibreakthings (D) (@Kudzu81) October 13, 2013

he is what this is about #1MVetMarch pic.twitter.com/zEHOj9ApjG

— Sher (@ZephyrK9) October 13, 2013

We areMarching to the WhiteHouse to return the #Barrycades!! #tcot #tlot #ocra #opSLAM #orpuw pic.twitter.com/BHzXoOY1VZ

— Danny Brown (@TheRedMan2117) October 13, 2013

Barrycades are down. #1MVet #1MVetMarch pic.twitter.com/LymfFlpfkY

— Sherry Lucas (@PorchPhilosophy) October 13, 2013

Crowds are chanting "USA USA USA" at the Lincoln Memorial as they tear down the barricades. #1MVetMarch pic.twitter.com/ydfhAOps4n

— Andrew Creech (@andrewbcreech) October 13, 2013

Lincoln memorial right now! I am part of the #UnrulyBunch #T4vets pic.twitter.com/1v13ldzUeI

— Proud Repealista (@verytari) October 13, 2013

Probably the best picture yet #1MVetMarch pic.twitter.com/Vrf8dbAlwh

— Judge Lucas (@JudgeLucas) October 13, 2013

Mary Louise, New York came to her memorial #vetmarch #tcot #shutdown brought her sign pic.twitter.com/YcxHO79T1k

— ibreakthings (D) (@Kudzu81) October 13, 2013

Vets, civilians inside the "closed" Lincoln Memorial #MillionVetMarch pic.twitter.com/Xi0Ih9omCa

— Jake Harris (@JakeHarris4) October 13, 2013

Taking barrycades to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave #1MVetMarch pic.twitter.com/nEtaKzk2rk

— Sher (@ZephyrK9) October 13, 2013

Three American heroes with the patriots today at the #1MVetMarch !!!! pic.twitter.com/20JfzWB9zJ

— Sharmen S. Wright (@SharmenSWright) October 13, 2013

"@NurseLiberty: Police blocking us from Lincoln Memorial @SeanHannity #Greta pic.twitter.com/onQi6uGhU5" #1MVetMarch

— Dani K. (@KoenigDani) October 13, 2013

Its real pic via "@NurseLiberty #1MVetMarch #T4VETS "@sirtatters "@elliemae0404 "@WilandKate "@clarencesilkwow pic.twitter.com/U4HhPjwqXL

— almostsixty (@Lillibees_mom) October 13, 2013

Protestors block authorities @ Lincoln Memorial. pic.twitter.com/QcU2PtRom6

— Whitney Waters (@WhitneyWaters14) October 13, 2013

BEAUTIFUL PHOTO of a PRICELESS TREASURE #Veteran #1MVetMarch pic.twitter.com/XcnQiUca1f

— Tanya Grimsley (@luvGodncountry) October 13, 2013

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Follow Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) on Twitter

Featured image via @ZephyrK9. This post has been updated.

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