Protesters, supporters throng street outside Republican debate

CONCORD, N.H. — A few hundred protesters of all flavors have amassed outside the site of Sunday’s Republican presidential debate, aiming to earn their issue or candidate of choice a bit of media attention.

A few dozen supporters of President Obama lined the sidewalk opposite the arts complex hosting the debate, bearing signs saying “Republicans kill jobs.” They were joined by members of United Auto Workers who urged passersby to “fight the attack on the American Dream.” Across the street, protesters from the Occupy Wall Street movement huddled with posters denouncing the influence of money in politics.

{mosads}Seemingly the most out of place was a group of Orthodox Jews in black hats and long coats, imploring the candidates to reject— not support — Israel. The group, who also made an appearance outside Saturday’s debate in Manchester, are part of a small sect called Neturei Karta that believes that biblical prophecies preclude Jews from having a nation in Israel until the coming of the Messiah.

“Message to the candidates for president: Please speak up for the Palestinian people’s rights. Judaism rejects Zionism and any Jewish state,” reads one of their signs.

The group sparked a controversy in 2006 when members traveled to Iran to support Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s assertions that Jews were exploiting the Holocaust to drum up support for Israel.

On the sidewalk outside Sunday’s debate, they paraded a giant banner with the Jewish Star of David — and a thick red line crossing through it.

Candidates and their campaigns also did their best to turn out an impressive show of support outside the debate hall. Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney had large trucks driving up and down the street, their names and campaign slogans plastered across the sides.

Jon Huntsman seemed to have the largest contingent of supporters assembled in the quickly growing throng, followed in close second by Romney.