I love this photo.
Posted on 07/05/2009 7:59:30 AM PDT by iceskater
I've never done an AAR so forgive me if it isn't quite up to snuff.
I attended the Washington DC Tea Party with about 2000 of my closest friends. Things got rolling around 9:30am with some music by some band I never heard of - "Pokerface". Sorry I'm not so much up on pop culture. The location was the Upper Senate park. We were right in the shadow of the capitol building. Awesome location.
Anyway, there were lots of speakers. One of the first was one of the organizers, Lisa. Single mom, small business owner. Great perspective on how government actions are affecting her.
There was a speaker from "Get Out of Our House". I was very intrigued by his idea for completely cleaning House. www.GOOOH.com is their website. I'll be looking into that.
My brother-in-law spoke near the end of the event. He did great, of course. One moron near the front was heckling him a bit but my BIL kept his composure and finished up his speech.
There were tables set up so people could sign up for various groups and we were busy at the tables. That was great.
I'm not sure which network was there - I heard CNN and NBC. In any event, I didn't recognize the reporter. He was completely surrounded by patriots yelling "state run media" while he was giving his report. He was not comfortable at all. I guess he thought we were all going to pull out our guns and shoot him or something. When he finished his report one patriot confronted the reporter. I didn't hear what was said. Then I started yelling "sell out". Our little reporter friend didn't like that either. One of the organizers came up and said 'let's be respectful'. And the crowd dispersed a bit. I went back to the tables and continued signing people up for 912 groups, etc.
I wish I had said, "why should we be respectful of them? They certainly aren't respectful of us. If they talk about us at all, they talk as if we are knuckle-dragging, racist, homophobic, neanderthals who are looking for an excuse to shoot people. They don't see us, much less report on us, as people who care about this country and what is happening." Alas, I never think of those things in the moment - always the next day.
Anyway, it was awesome. The Upper Senate Park was cleaner after we left than when we got there.
I'm looking forward to 9/12 March on Washington.
How many in attendance? I cannot seem to find a number.
Thanks for your fine report. I can’t even get a report on my local Asheville, NC paper of the Tea Party downtown yesterday-a 100 or so-last time they said a 100 or so it was 500. humph
I love this photo.
I think 2000 attending is about right.
I think 2000 attending is about right.
I missed that one! Excellent.
What’s really sad about the poster is the National Archives is right across the street - they could go over there and read the originals any time they want.
Several years ago some of us Freepers had a rally in the same spot with big name speakers. It was the clinton years. CSPAN didn't cover it. Brian Lamb is a lefty ya know.
And a lot of those attending had never gone to something like this. As they learn that they can be part of a strong voice I believe we can turn things around. [Mr] T cc: DC Chapter Master Ping List
Up until this year, I had never done anything like this. I know I am not alone in that. I went to the Richmond VA Tea Party on April 15th and we had 5000 in attendance.
People like me are worried about what’s happening. I’m glad we’re speaking up. I just hope it isn’t too late.
They’re all lefties.
And a lot of those attending had never gone to something like this. As they learn that they can be part of a strong voice I believe we can turn things around. [Mr] T cc: DC Chapter Master Ping List
Only 2,000? Wow, that is disappointing. I thought it was suppose to be huge. Smaller towns got more than that.
Here's a hint
Yeah, I think I got it. Disappointed all the same.
Don’t be disappointed. When we try to hold political rallies on days when we competing against picnics at the lake, backyard barbecues, camping trips, and the biggest vacation week of the year we aren’t gonna get much turnout.
I was there from about Noon to 1:00 and was a little disappointed at the crowd size too. Also, I walked through the crowd and didn’t see anyone I knew, which I thought was odd. I think most of the politically active people in DC must have been out of town. Anyway, it was inspiring and energizing to see so many citizens exercising their freedom of speech.
My sister and I were talking about the attendence. We think there were a couple of things going on. One, it was a holiday - and going to the Mall on July 4th is a scary thought. Traffic, parking, etc.
Two, most people who live in the area either work for the federal govt or a company that does business w/the feds. So, we think there is probably a bit of fear.
Last, apathy and being outnumbered by leftists.
I don’t know. I don’t live in the area anymore. Yes, the crowd size was small-ish but you have to start somewhere.
See my post 18. Just some thoughts on the crowd size.
Oh! I forgot about the traffic. I parked at my office and took a cab to the Capitol. If I did not have a parking space I might have stayed home. Nope, I missed the tax day party because I had to work, I would not have missed this one and I’ll be back on 9/12.
Maryland PING!
I hate to be critical, but this may have been piss-poor plaiing on the part of the organizers.....damn.
Great job, iceskater! Thanks for the description. Hope to see you in September.
Thank you iceskater. We plan on being there in Sept.
Short and sweet. I like short and sweet.
I’ll be there!
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