Posted on 04/15/2009 6:33:05 AM PDT by laotzu
The Alamo, a symbol of freedom and defiance against government oppression, will be the focal point of one of the largest of many Tax Day protests against federal waste held across the country.
This evening's rally in Alamo Plaza, billed as the San Antonio Tea Party, will have plenty of color. Rocker Ted Nugent will play the national anthem on guitar. Fox News talk show host Glenn Beck will air his program live, with supporters and the Alamo's familiar shrine behind him.
Gov. Rick Perry won't be there. Tea Party officials have declared the stage a politician-free zone.
“It's their time to listen to us,” said Julia Hayden, event spokeswoman.
Though some details have changed, organizers have been clear that they welcome anyone who is a “fiscal conservative” and “strict constitutionalist” favoring “minimal intrusiveness by the federal government.”
Beck has been promoting the San Antonio event on his show for more than a week. A one-minute YouTube video comparing it to the 1773 Boston Tea Party and the 1836 Battle of the Alamo also has inspired conservatives to send a message to Washington: “Don't Tread on Me.”
But it was the billions of dollars in stimulus funds dispatched to revive the economy, despite a looming federal debt, that's angered folks, Hayden said.
“That was just the breaking point for a lot of people,” she said.
After Beck's live broadcast, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., the rally will run from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. With more than 9,000 people expected, HemisFair Park has been designated as an overflow site.
Organizers have raised $82,410 of the $91,710 cost of the event, mostly from individuals. The Tea Party's Web site lists 13 sponsors, including the San Antonio Toll Party, which opposes toll roads.
On Tuesday, a group calling itself $aveTheRich announced the creation of a Web site saying the tea parties were being staged by lobbyist-run think tanks pursuing a special-interest agenda under the guise of a grass-roots movement.
Hayden said she was amused by the group's claims that the tea parties seek to benefit “conservative millionaires.” Hundreds of volunteers are helping with the San Antonio event, she said.
Organizers have asked crowds to show respect for Alamo Plaza and have banned signs opposing President Barack Obama.
Gov. Perry plans to attend tea parties today in Austin, Arlington and Fort Worth, but he will not be in San Antonio, Perry spokesman Mark Miner said. Perry, like many Texans, is “tired of out-of-control spending,” he said.
A tea party also is set to begin today in Boerne's main plaza at 5 p.m.
Beck, originally tapped as keynote speaker at the Alamo, will only give opening remarks.
Alamo historian Bruce Winders had earlier been slated to appear on Beck's show, but the Alamo and its custodians, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, have no involvement with the Tea Party or Beck's program, said Madge Roberts, president general of the DRT.
If Luttrell, Beck and Nugent can’t draw at least 100,000 then something is wrong with Texans.
Is this comedy? Obama is the root of the spending and the movement to brand Us Vets as terrorists.
Conservatives never learn, we get absolutely nowhere by playing nice.
To paraphrase, nice guys get brown shirts.
Back to the tank and try again...better luck next time.
Live in Austin and planning on biking down to city hall for the happenings around 11:30am, stick around there for a couple of hours, then bike on down to the Alamo for Beck’s broadcast.
Damn, buddy!! From the Capitol to the Alamo?!!
Is your real name Lance?
That's a dangerous stretch in a Peterbilt. Please be safe.
My parents are taking my kids (ages 15 and 12) to San Antonio. I hope the crowd is HUGE and SAFE!
God Bless you!!! Look for a disruption from La Raza...have a plan of escape for you and your kids....give them a cell phone just in case! Stand for Liberty!!!
I’m stuck in Houston at work... The wife wanted to go to SA, but she is still recovering from surgery and I don’t think we should make the drive...
I wish they had kept the San Jacinto location alive... We may get downtown to the Post Office...
The Alamo is a shrine to those who fought and died there. I have no problems with the "No Signs" request. I would expect the same if the event were being held at Arlington National Cemetery or at Gettysburg.
It seems we should have a “Live Thread” thruout the day for people to report experiences and give updates. I’m stuck in a cube except for the hour I’ll be on our Capitol lawn for our TP. I could check in here though, for news.
I have a sign with a portrait of the Founding Fathers that says PROUD TO STAND UP FOR WHO DHS CALLS A “RIGHT-WING RADICAL EXTREMIST GROUP”! I hope that doesn’t fall under the restrictions. The other side says HASTE, WASTE AND FEAR ISN’T A SOUND ECONOMIC POLICY!
Additionally, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas have stipulations on what is allowed to take place at the Alamo. They DID NOT have to allow the tea party there. They, however, chose to allow Glenn Beck's show to be aired from there. Signs are permitted in other areas and they can carry signs against Obama in those areas.
I’ll be there too! Signs and all.
I wanted to go to San Antonio, but couldn’t work out logistics.
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