BLOOMINGTON - A freedom rally to remember the victims of Sept. 11, 2001, and to galvanize the movement against government spending drew about 200 people to Miller Park Saturday.

The rally coincided with the national tea party rally Saturday in Washington, D.C., and the 9-12 Project created by conservative talk show host Glenn Beck.

Several speakers encouraged the local crowd to get involves in politics by either helping a candidate's campaign or going to city council and county board meetings.

"I'm going to squash the lie that 'I'm not going to vote because it doesn't matter,'" said Rosanna Pulido. "It does matter."

Pulido, a Republican candidate for the 5th Congressional district in Chicago, said being an advocate for freedom does come at a price.

"You have to count the cost, because you've seen what happens to Glenn Beck and all the rest who have dared to speak the truth," Pulido said.

Bloomington Area 9-12 Project organizer Donnie Shields said every voice matters in the effort to control Congress and reign in government spending.

"It's groups like this that changes the current course of government and policy," Shields said.

Shields also said the country has become complacent since the terror attacks eight years ago.

"Sept. 11 has become our generation's Pearl Harbor," Shields said. "This should be a day for remembering a tragic event; it is not a day for national service."

Other speakers included Republican congressional candidates David McAloon of Bourbonnais (11th District) and Eric Wallace of Matteson (10th District) and 9-12 organizers including Eric Decossas, a former candidate for Bloomington mayor.

Initially, the tea parties were promoted by FreedomWorks, a conservative nonprofit advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., and led by former Republican House Majority Leader Dick Armey of Texas, who is now a lobbyist.