Hundreds Protest NSA & Mass Surveillance in Nation's Capital at 'Stop Watching Us' Rally

Hundreds of individuals flocked to the streets of Washington, D.C. on Saturday to protest what they said was the illegal surveillance of Americans by the National Security Agency.

The "Stop Watching Us" rally featured several notable speakers, including Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) and former Congressman Dennis Kucinich, in addition to a "stellar group of whistleblowers, activists, researchers and others from both sides of the political spectrum," organizers said.

Individuals gathered in front of D.C.'s Union Station before marching on the National Mall towards the U.S. Capitol. There, organizers said they would deliver a petition to Congress demanding an end to mass surveillance.

"We’ll be handing more than a half-million petitions to Congress to remind them that they work for us — and we won’t tolerate mass surveillance any longer," organizers said.

One participant told TheBlaze she went to express her opposition to the NSA.

"I came to continue our voice against the NSA," Olivia Valentine, an activist with libertarian group Young Americans for Liberty, said. "The young people need a voice and say in this mess."

Signs featured at the rally thanked NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden and demanded Congress to "stop mass spying."

One sign seen played off of President Barack Obama's "yes, we can," slogan and altering it to read "yes, we scan."

Video & pictures from the ground:

#StopWatchingUs marching towards the Capitol pic.twitter.com/uAgYsaDP0F

— Michelle Fields (@MichelleFields) October 26, 2013

Hey Congress, remember the Fourth Amendment? These people do. #StopWatchingUs pic.twitter.com/tASZaLIdiu

— EFF (@EFF) October 26, 2013

Pres. Obama brought his spy cam and surveillance drone to the #stopwatchingus rally! Hoorah! pic.twitter.com/D2OcB9NFni

— Andrew Boo-lake (@apblake) October 26, 2013

Obamacam #StopWatchingUs pic.twitter.com/E9Rl3sOSiQ

— Michelle Fields (@MichelleFields) October 26, 2013

"Yes We Scan" #StopWatchingUs pic.twitter.com/1x1rERI3H9"

— Anonymous Palestine (@tamayza) October 26, 2013

Follow Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) on Twitter

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