A robot was inspecting a suspicious package on the North Lawn of the White House after tax protesters threw what appears to be a box of tea bags over the White House fence.

[efoods]That prompted officials to clear Pennsylvania Avenue Wednesday.

The U.S. Secret Service on Wednesday locked down the White House compound after someone hurled a package in an apparent act of defiance meant to echo the rebellion of the Boston Tea Party and related tax protests around the country. Officers cleared the street and Lafayette Park across from the White House mid-afternoon. They also ordered journalists back inside the press room.

Demonstrators said they disapproved of government spending since President Barack Obama took office.

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