Check Out What's Happening at the Washington, D.C. Trash Pick-Up That Drew Sen. Mike Lee, Glenn Beck, & More

[Be sure to check back, as this post will be updated throughout the day.]

On Saturday morning, Glenn Beck joined forces with FreedomWorks and the Tea Party Patriots in a day of service to help "Fix Up D.C."

Attendees were asked to bring rakes, garbage bags, and anything else they might need to help keep the National Mall in a state Americans can be proud of amid the partial government shutdown.

Beck meets with members of FreedomWorks and Congress (Photo: TheBlaze)

Beck, who spoke before joining the clean-up effort, remarked: "All anyone is asking for is not equality, but equal justice under the law."

He added that it's clear that people are becoming disillusioned with the current state of affairs in Washington, because no matter how much you want to believe in words like "hope" and "change," common sense "eventually kicks in" and you realize you have a "virtual one party system" that is "coming undone."

(Photo: TheBlaze)

No more a fan of the Republican "establishment" than the Democrat Party, Beck said it falls to people like those who came to help "fix up D.C." to point to a new path "where we treat each other with respect."

"If you're different than me, that's cool.  I don't need to control your life, and you don't need to control my life," Beck said simply.  "Let's live like free men.  Let's live like decent Americans."

Smiling and getting ready to join the clean-up effort, Beck remarked: "Ask not what our country can do for us.  What do you say we ask what we can do for our country?"

Here are some pictures and video of the subsequent trash pick-up:

(Photo: TheBlaze)

Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) joins in the 'Fix Up D.C.' event. (Photo: Twitter/FreedomWorks)

Glenn Beck picks up trash in Washington, D.C. (Photo: TheBlaze)

It looks like even Slate political reporter and MSNBC contributor Dave Weigel pitched in:

[blackbirdpie url="https://twitter.com/daveweigel/status/389051695902515201"]

Weigel also took this picture of Beck with a "do not enter" sign, but wrote in Beck's defense: "To be clear, Beck actually found that sign in the trash can. He did not throw it in — he kept it 'for the museum.'"

(Photo: Twitter/@daveweigel)

As the trash pick-up wound down, many lingered to admire the monuments and greet one another.

Among the others who were there, it appears as though many veterans made it to the event:

Glenn Beck greets a World War II veteran. (Photo: TheBlaze)

Glenn Beck and Reps. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) greet U.S. veterans. (Photo: TheBlaze)

Reps. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) greet U.S. veterans. (Photo: TheBlaze)

The event was largely inspired by South Carolina native Chris Cox, who took it upon himself to keep the National Mall clean amid the partial government shutdown.

Cox became an "overnight sensation" after being photographed mowing the lawns, taking out the trash, and keeping the area from falling into a disgraceful state.  After Cox remotely appeared on Glenn Beck's show this week, Beck remarked that it would be an "honor" to shake the man's hand and help him pick up trash.

And it looks like he was able to do so:

Glenn Beck greets 'memorial militia' Chris Cox. (Photo: TheBlaze TV)

Watch video of Saturday's speeches -- which also included one from Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) -- courtesy of the Tea Party Patriots:

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