Several hundred supporters of public broadcasting marched on Capitol Hill yesterday in a “Million Puppet March” in favor of federal funding for noncommercial programming.
The good-humored protest was prompted by Republican challenger Mitt Romney’s threat, in a televised debate with President Obama a month ago, to halt government funding to public media if he wins the White House on Tuesday.
Marching alongside “Sesame Street” characters such as Big Bird and Kermit the Frog, was one protester in a latex Romney mask.
“It’s not just ‘Sesame Street,’ ” co-organizer Michael Bellavia said, citing the long-running PBS educational show tailored to young children.
“We’re saying we want to support the whole ecosystem of public media — everything from the TV side, to radio, to all the Internet media that gets produced,” he said.
Fifteen percent of the overall public broadcasting budget in the United States comes from Washington. Contributions from foundations and individuals makes up the rest.
PBS, which was not involved in the protest, said in a statement, “We appreciate the recent outpouring of support and affirmation for value of public broadcasting.