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Tea Party Protests Nationwide

Tea Party Protests Nationwide Mark Growing Objection to Higher Taxes
Coast to coast, Tea Party protesters took to the streets on July 4th in objection to the Obama administration's skyrocketing federal deficit spending and the tax burden expected to be levied on American taxpayers who will be forced to foot the bill. In Dallas Texas, organizers of an Independence Day tea party at Southfork Ranch on Saturday said the Tea Party drew a crowd of over 35,000 people, despite temperatures that soared to over 100 degrees. From Albuquerque NM to San Francisco, Tea Party protests were planned over the Independence Day weekend. Throughout all of the Tea Party rallies on the 4th of July Americans held up their concerns over too much government, over taxation and a growing disparity towards the Constitution in governing law.

More Than 25,000 Attend Southfork Ranch Tea Party, Organizer Says
An estimated crowd of 25,000 to 35,000 people attended the Independence Day tea party at Southfork Ranch on Saturday, one organizer said. While the official figures haven’t been tallied yet, Debbie Meyers said the bulk of the crowd arrived after 7:30 p.m. to avoid the heat of the day. The temperature reached a high of 101 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. “I was standing on the stage and couldn’t see the end of the people,” said Meyers, president of the event-planning business Bravo Entertainment. The event had been billed as the largest tea party in the nation, and some organizers had said the crowd could reach 50,000.

Georiga Tax Protesters Rally at Capitol in Atlanta
Tax protesters kept with the Independence Day theme Saturday to declare their independence from federal policies. “It’s time that we take the country back,” event organizer Bob Frady said to a crowd of more than 200 seated across Washington Street from the state capitol. Attendees touted opposition to federal taxing as a remedy for pollution — as in the “cap and trade” provision to the energy and global-warming bill the U.S. House of Representatives passed recently. Others feared the results of what they called a federal spending spree to prop up failing banks and auto companies. “I’m scared to death we’re being spent into oblivion,” Lilburn’s Marshall Myers said. “We’re losing control of our government. I don’t want to be a socialist.”

TEA Party Activists Rally In D.C.
Instead of celebrating the Fourth of July holiday with barbecues and sparklers, about 2,000 small-government advocates, toting signs and chanting slogans, rallied outside the U.S. Capitol Saturday. Activists said the TEA Party Day -- an acronym for "Taxed Enough Already" -- was in response to what they called runaway government spending. They are taking to task the Obama administration's stimulus program and health care initiative, and say Congress is not giving constituents enough information about where their tax money is spent.

Tea Party Protest In Perrysburg Targets Extent of Federal Spending
Boisterous tea party protesters, described by an event moderator as clinging to their guns and Bibles, rocked downtown Perrysburg on Independence Day, demanding that the federal government curb spending. "Folks, we are seeing our foundations destroyed before our very eyes," Dr. William Zouhary of Rossford, the moderator, told the crowd of about 1,000 people. His words drew yet another thunderous cheer of the kind that set off a few car alarms and scared away turkey vultures from the skies over Hood Park where the 70-minute rally was held.

Evansville 'Tea Party' Draws Estimated Crowd of 1,750 in Rain
Taxed Enough Already group leads wide-ranging protest
EVANSVILLE -- Despite buckets of rain that fell on Downtown Evansville on Saturday morning, a local "TEA party" attracted hundreds of people steeped in indignation over taxes. Nearly 1,750 people were estimated by organizers to have attended the protest staged outside the Civic Center. It was coordinated by the group Taxed Enough Already and coincided with a number of similar events held across the country in honor of Independence Day. In Evansville, the crowd overflowed across King Boulevard to the side opposite the Civic Center. Those attending heard a number of speakers list their grievances over what they regarded as the government's interfering in the lives of U.S. citizens.

July 4 Tax Tea Party in Cheyenne, Wyoming
"I Think We're Going to Whip the S.O.B.'s", Says One Speaker
Cheyenne, Wyoming -- The July 4 tax tea party at the state capital (also known as the Cowboy Tea Party) brought out a few hundred locals of all ages during a partly to mostly cloudy and breezy afternoon to hear speeches and sign various petitions. This July 4 tax tea party in Cheyenne, Wyoming affirmed three major themes in speeches: the Constitution under attack by political leaders, God, and speaking English. Here's more about this July 4 tax tea party in Cheyenne, Wyoming. There were some interesting sayings on signs and t-shirts, including two t-shirts that stated "PROUD OWNER OF AIG & GM" and "PARTY LIKE IT'S 1773". 1773 is when the Boston Tea Party took place. Many people wore red, white, and blue clothing and carried replicas of Revolutionary War era flags.

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About 1,000 Attend Tea Party at Wyo. Capitol
CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- A July Fourth "tea party" drew about 1,000 people to the state Capitol this weekend. People rallied Saturday in support of various `American' causes, including restraining the power of the federal government. It was part of a second round of such tea parties held on Independence Day around the country. Similar events were also organized on April 15 - tax day. Some of those at the Cheyenne rally were unhappy about the federal stimulus package and having states like Wyoming help pay for the budgetary problems of California. Others said global warming is a sham and protested against cap and trade proposals to limit emissions.

Many East Tennesseans Celebrate Independence With Tea Parties
HARRIMAN -- Many people in the region and across the nation didn't celebrate the Fourth of July with a barbecue. Instead, they had a tea party. Saturday was round two for the 'Taxed Enough Already' or tea parties which are protests against big government spending and high taxes. It's no coincidence they're holding the parties on Independence Day. "It has all to do with our independence. They are taking our rights away. We need to stop it," added Tirita Phillips.

'Tea Party' Attracts Thousands
The event was organized by a group called the Central Valley Tea Party. One organizer, Jared Gordon, said 15,000 people showed up between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the freedom rally, but he acknowledged that was only a rough estimate. He said a volunteer counted 8,000 people who came through one gate, but he didn't know how many people came through two other gates. Many people carried around signs with messages such as: "Stop spending our future," "Our liberty is in jeopardy!" and "High taxes kill jobs." The rally was one of 600 such "tea parties" that were scheduled across the country, Gordon said. On April 15, organizers hosted several similar tea parties at various sites throughout the Valley.

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Over 15,000 attend Freedom Rally Tea Party in Tulare
More than 15,000 people from Bakersfield to Modesto gathered at the International Agri-Center Saturday for the Freedom Rally Tea Party Saturday. The event had several speakers, talking about their viewpoints of the country's government. “We believe in limited government, fiscal responsibility and the free market and think that’s something Americans should get behind,” said Jared Gordon, Central Valley Tea Party spokesperson.

Hundreds Cry Out for Reform at Tea Party
HUNTSVILLE, AL -- Hundreds packed the fairgrounds off Airport Road, calling out for government reform Saturday night. People in Huntsville joined 800 other cities across the country for an Independence Day Tea Party. Organizers say the main message is freedom of speech. Participants are voicing their opposition against massive deficit spending, bailouts and take-overs of the private sector.

Houston Tea Party Defies Heat Wave
On a warm July Day, in Downtown Houston, passionate citizens came together to uphold one of the most cherished of American and democratic principles. The right to "peaceable assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances" is one of the many rights that Americans have spent this weekend commemorating. Regardless of political ideology, the Houston Tea Party on Friday, July 3rd, was a fascinating lesson in those rights and in the power of a democratic and free society.

Northwest Arkansas Fourth of July TEA Party Goes On Despite Rain
This TEA party marked the second event of it's kind in Fayetteville this year. The local Arkansas Unite coalition hosted it's first Tax Day TEA Party on April 15, when federal and state income taxes and tax returns were due. "Since then, we've formed a unified coalition of TEA parties across the state," Masterson said. "Now, more than one-third of Arkansas' 75 counties are represented. There are 18 TEA parties in Arkansas and about 1,800 TEA parties across the nation." According to its Web site, Arkansas Unite is an ad hoc group "formed to explore and enact ways to restore constitutionally limited government across the state and country."

Tea Party Participants Carry on After American Legion Calls Off Its Event
WAUSAU -- Participants in the Wausau Tea Party's Fourth of July events Saturday in downtown Wausau forged ahead with their demonstrations despite controversy surrounding the events. Members of the American Legion Post 10 were originally scheduled to do a flag presentation and a 21-gun salute in honor of fallen soldiers between noon and 12:30 p.m. Saturday. The post's color guard co-commander, John Pellegrino, canceled the appearance Friday so as to avoid any connection with the Wausau Tea Party that began in the same space at 1:30 p.m.

Tax Protesters Put Dissent On Display
ASHEVILLE -- While the Fourth of July is traditionally a time for fireworks and barbecues, many people chose to spend part of Saturday protesting taxes and the negative direction they believe the U.S. is heading. Several speakers fired up the crowd gathered in front of the Buncombe County Courthouse for the Asheville Independence Day Tea party. Similar rallies — modeled after those organized in April — were staged in cities across the country.

Kentuckians Gather At Capitol For Tax Protest
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Hundreds of Kentuckians carrying flags, signs and brown-bag lunches gathered at the Capitol steps to protest taxes and government as part of a national effort known as the "tea party" movement. The Saturday rally was organized by the group TEA Party of Kentucky - with TEA standing for "taxed enough already." Similar rallies were held in other cities statewide and nationwide. The Frankfort event featured music and speakers as those gathered sat on walls and in lawn chairs they brought from home. All age ranges were represented in the crowd, from babies in strollers to retirees.

Albuquerque 'Tea Party' Protests Government, Taxes
People at the Albuquerque Tea Party observed their Independence Day by exercising their right to free speech. Hundreds of protesters stood along Alameda to let everyone know how they feel about their government on the Fourth of July. One protester said Saturday, "I'm tired of government taking everything we make and I'm tired of our money going overseas when we have needs for it here in the United States." Another told Eyewitness News 4, "We're protesting Congress ignoring the will of the people -- especially the House of Representatives." Besides lining the road, there were speakers and music.

In Houma, Tea Party Protestors on Independence Day Declare Outrage
HOUMA -- A rally to protest what organizers call wasteful government spending and threats on their rights to privacy and bear arms attracted about 200 supporters to the Downtown Courthouse Square Saturday afternoon. The Houma Tea Party organized the Independence Day rally, an event that follows the Tax Day Tea Parties held in April in Houma, Cut Off and across the country.

'Tea Party' Draws `Protesters' to Downtown Canton
CANTON -- People who oppose “tax and spenders” communed with the like-minded Sunday afternoon, filling the “Kresge lot” in downtown Canton at a rally called “July 5 Canton Tea Party: Defend and Declare.” Led by the Canton Tea Party Organization, the crowd welcomed state Rep. Josh Mandel of Lyndhurst, a candidate for Ohio treasurer, and Frank LaRose Jr. of Akron, a candidate for Ohio Senate, and listened to a Columbus band: Lt. Dan’s New Legs. Organizers said the event’s theme was “Defending the Constitution of the United States of America and Declaring Your Independence from the Tax and Spenders.”

'Tea Party' Protest in Hawaii
American flags accompanied signs of protest along the Queen Kaahumanu Highway in Kona on the 4th of July, as dozens of citizens organized by the local Kona Tea Party Committee exercised their right to free speech. The demonstrators in Kona reportedly joined seven other tea parties held across the state of Hawaii today. Although messages were varied, the unifying theme seemed to be against the growth of government, and took a similar tone to the tax day tea party demonstrations in April. The federal government - and the Obama Administration - bore the brunt of the criticism.

More Than 2,000 Gather in Gilbert to Protest Higher Taxes
GILBERT, AZ -- Fed up with higher taxes, about 2,000 people rallied in Gilbert Saturday for a TEA party. They were showing support for the Taxed Enough Already initiative. Event organizer and former Gilbert Councilman Dave Petersen said the issue extends to every corner of the state -- possibly the country. The event was part of a series of rallies nationwide against higher taxation.

Several Hundred Gather at Grand Rapids, Michigan Tea Party Protest
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN -- Amidst the traditional Fourth of July celebrations—barbeques, family gatherings, and fireworks—another group of people celebrated July Fourth from a slightly different perspective. Yesterday, thousands of people in the United States took part in Tea Party protests organized in cities large and small. The rightwing protests—Tea is an acronym for "Taxed Enough Already"—have gained prominence since the election of Democrat Barack Obama and the large anti-tax Tea Parties held on April 15.

Hundreds Rally At Lansing `Tea Party'
LANSING, Mich. -- Hundreds of people rallied at the state Capitol to protest government tax policies on Independence Day. Joan Fabiano, an organizer of the "Lansing Independence Tea Party," says that Saturday's rally was to re-declare "independence from big government." It was one of many rallies planned throughout the country. It's not the first such gathering in Lansing. A mock rendition of the Boston Tea Party revolt was held at the state Capitol in April on tax day.

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Spending Stirs 'Tea Party' Protest In Lansing
"We are tired of the out-of-control spending," Joan Fabiano shouted from a microphone on the steps of the state Capitol, "tired of the socialization of our government, tired of the erosion of our personal liberties." It was a protest against taxes, efforts to create a national health care system, the Waxman Markey cap-and-trade energy bill, and strict separation of church and state. A tea party April 15 drew 5,000 people to downtown Lansing. This one was smaller. Capitol Building staff estimated the crowd at 800. Fabiano said it was at least 1,500.

Group Rallies Against Tax Policies at state Capitol
DENVER -- A group of people protested President Barack Obama's tax policies outside the state Capitol on Saturday. The anti-tax protest was among so-called Tea Parties scheduled around the country on Independence Day. Those attending the event said they are unhappy with the Obama administration's agenda on health care, energy and the environment. Organizer Tony Gillis said "things have gotten out of control" and that the government's economic stimulus plan is a problem.

Wilmington Hosts Tea Party Of Their Own
Protesters against high taxes and deficit spending by the government used Tax Day to get their message out in events across the country. One protest was right here in Wilmington. “The way we are devaluing our currency, printing it out like mad for bogus spending bills that aren't going to do a thing but put more people out of work in the long run, all we are doing is causing China to step and say it's time to cash in,” said Joseph Hamilton.

North Central Ohio Residents Declare Their Independence From Taxes
The original Mansfield T.E.A. Party (Taxed Enough Already) was held on the 4th of July at Mansfield Mororsports Park. .. Area residents were asked to declare their independence from taxes and spending politicians at the original Mansfield T.E.A. Party held on Fourth of July. The event was held at Mansfield Motorsports Park on Crall Road. T.E.A. stands for Taxed Enough Already, with the event people had the chance to protest taxes and wasteful government spending. Kenneth Hammontree of Ashland, a living history re-enactor, stood in as Thomas Jefferson, one of the writers of the Declaration of Independence.

A Second TEA Party Rally Is Held in Salem
Many vehicles honked to show their support to those gathered for the second TEA Party on Sweney Corner in downtown Salem Saturday afternoon. Over a dozen supporters of the group Taxed Enough Already held signs protesting proposed higher taxes. Among them was John Erickson of Salem. "We're just out here to show everyone that we are disgusted with what's going on with Washington as far as spending is concerned.

St. Augustine Independence Restoration Reclamation Rally
The United American Tea Party reported to Historic City news that the Historic St. Augustine Independence Restoration Reclamation Rally is being held today between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on the fort green at Castillo De San Marcos. According to Park Rangers’ official estimates, more than 1,200 citizens participated in the Tax Day Tea Party at the Castillo de San Marcos on April 15th. The United American Tea Party is the St Johns County component of Tea Party Patriots and they are organizing today’s Independence Restoration Reclamation Rally.

Frankfort's Second Local Tea Party Protests Government Policies
Frustrated over government spending, Frankfort resident Mark Hathaway voiced his concerns at the Independence Day Tea Party Picnic at Yoctangee Park Saturday afternoon. The event was conducted so citizens could bring their concerns or issues that currently are facing the nation. For Hathaway, his main concern was the increase in taxes. "The government is spending more like there is no tomorrow," he said.

Plattsburgh Crowd Voices Opposition to Government Spending
PLATTSBURGH -- Thomas Jefferson once said all tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. To let their voices be heard, more than 150 people united Saturday morning in opposition to government spending and taxation. "This is an important issue to all of us," said Jonathan Nelson, who co-organized the second local Tea Party protest at Trinity Park in Plattsburgh. Mayor Donald Kasprzak said the nation's $11.5 trillion deficit "grows every day at our expense."

NWA Group Rallies For Freedom, Against 'Big' Government
FAYETTEVILLE -- Grassroots protests against big government spending served as the fireworks Saturday at the Independence Day Tea Party where several hundred showed up to light the fuse. Arkansas Unite rallied the troops at the Washington County Fairgrounds in its effort to regain a constitutionally limited government. Organizers and supporters urged the public to take action against politicians who allow government to take away civil liberties from the people. “They are stupid, ignorant idiots. When I don’t have the money, I don’t spend it,” said Joan Phillips of Evansville, holding a sign that read, “Washington: Where’s Your Common Sense?”

Morristown 'TEA Party' Demonstration Trashes Taxes
MORRISTOWN -- Curtis Glenn fought in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II, and sees today, at age 94, just as harrowing a fight between citizens and the American government. Their concerns for where America is headed brought them and hundreds of other citizens to the Greens in Morristown and Newton on the Fourth of July for rallies organized by local chapters of the national activism group TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Party. Approximately 1,000 people in Morristown, and about 300 in Newton, clamored against high taxes, a proposed national public health plan and the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, also known as the "cap and trade" system.

Declaration of Independence Read at TEA Party Gathering
The hourlong event, beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, was sponsored by the Salina TEA Party, a nationally based conservative movement that stands for Taxed Enough, Already. According to the group's Web site at www.salinateaparty.com, the organization is committed to "inform, encourage, equip and mobilize at the grassroots level to reclaim control of our government; local, state and federal." A previous TEA Party event on April 15 (tax day, naturally) drew some 500 people to protest what organizer Joe Winship called an increasingly intrusive, expensive federal government and to promote individual liberty and fiscal responsibility.