Group Protests Liberty Medal on Independence Mall
By Tim Jimenez
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Before the Liberty Medal was awarded to former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a few dozen people gathered across the street from the Constitution Center to protest.
On the eve of the one year anniversary of the attack in the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, a new organization formed with an award of their own.
The Independence Hall Foundation formed as a counter to the Constitution Center. And they say former Secretary of State Clinton getting the Liberty Medal is disrespectful to the four Americans killed in Benghazi a year ago, especially near the anniversary. Instead of honoring Clinton, they're honoring Ambassador Chris Stevens and the three other victims with the Defender of Liberty Award, says member Mary Ellen Jones.
"They were there because they were proud of their country Mrs. Clinton. They loved their country Mrs. Clinton, concepts that you do not understand now and you never will," said Jones.
And bringing up Clinton's 2008 campaign ad about a 3 a.m. phone call, Army veteran Chris Hill.
"She not only didn't answer the phone, she didn't care that the phone rang," said Hill.
As for former Florida Governor Jeb Bush presenting the award to Clinton, Don Adams with the Independence Hall Tea Party group says its politics as usual.
"Almost as if it's one first family patting another first family on the back," said Adams.
