Protesters advocate views at Obama event

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SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Protesters gathered outside President Obama's fundraising lunch in San Francisco Tuesday, speaking out on a variety of issues.

CREDO Mobile organized most of the protesters gathered outside Obama's $7,500-a-plate fundraiser, rallying against construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline across the Midwest, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Advocates of medical marijuana conducted a news conference near Obama's fundraiser, announced they were preparing a 2012 ballot initiative to increase regulations on medical marijuana dispensaries.

California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, a San Francisco Democrat, called himself part of the "loyal opposition" to Obama and wanted the president to "rein in" the Justice Department of Justice, which recently began cracking down on medical marijuana dispensaries in California. While state voters approved the regulation of medical marijuana, there are no such distinctions in federal law.

"They're acting like thugs," Ammiano told the Chronicle.

Other protesters included Tea Party movement supporters, members of the "Occupy" movement, and anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan, who protested former President George W. Bush's war policy.