It was a carnival like atmosphere outside the Health Care Town Hall meeting at Towson University.
An estimated 2,000 people showed up for the forum called by Maryland Senator Ben Cardin.
ABC2 had team coverage of the event. I followed the crowd outside while my colleague Christian Schaefer followed the developments inside meeting.
We talked to people from as far as away as Fort Washington and Potomac.
Many admitted they had not read the bills being debated in Congress, although many were armed with information taken from the internet.
Opponents far out numbered supporters of health care reform. Many carried signs opposing what they called socialized medicine and Obamacare.
One sign read "Say healthy you're going to need to".
The biggest fear among opponents was that the public option being debated in Congress would one day replace privitized medicine.
The large number of opponents didn't bother supporters like Sissy Bryant of Baltimore.
Bryant told ABC2 "the health care train is rolling and no opposition would stop it".
Amy Barlow of Rockville Maryland said she simply wanted her voice heard. She made the trek with a group of friends only to find out seating was limited to about 500 people.
There were widespread rumors that union members and other supporters were allowed in first, leaving few seats for others.
Police officers on the scene denied those rumors.
While opponents and supports disagreed oftenly loudly on the issues, both sides were glad to see people actively engaged exercising their first amendment rights.
