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Washington, DC, Great Tea Party!
April 15, 2009 | Kburi

Posted on 04/15/2009 6:22:52 PM PDT by kburi

Rain Didn’t Dampen Washington, DC Tea Party

Arriving in a steady drizzle at 1030 am, there was already a sizeable crowd in Lafayette Park across from the White House. The crowd continued to grow in size even as the rain increased. My unofficial estimate is that there were some where between 3,000 to 3,500 participants.

Washington DC Tea Party

This crowd was a lot of fun to be with. A surprising number were from out of state, such as Oregon, Arkansas, Ohio, NJ, NY and Pennsylvania in addition to Maryland and Virginia. Many of the signs were handmade (unlike those at protests by the left who carry signs which are mass-produced and paid for by Moveon.org.). The program was robust with good speakers, the crowd saying the Pledge of Allegiance and singing the National Anthem. It was easy to talk with strangers and we all have a lot in common. We care deeply about our country and how precious it is. No one spoke political party, just the importance of having responsible elected officials. And of course a few Freepers were in attendance.

Instigaters

Code Pink showed with Medea Benjamin leading two of her flock. They stayed only a little while and then left to a few pointed comments. One minor disturbance in front of the stage. Two college age young men in tuxedos and two college age women in gowns caused a disruption and left after a few minutes.

April 15, 2009 Photos, Washington, DC Tea Party

A lot of signs are featured in hope readers here will find a message they can replicate at future rallies.

Note the Media which seemed to be everywhere – whether they report remains to be seen. And note the large number of children who attended with their parents..

The Crowd

<

Steady Rain 2:30pm

Youth

Laura I – (9am – 12noon) 570 am, Washington, DC

One of our favorites

SIGNS

The “Media” ?

They were out in force -- What will they report?

Ryan James being interviewed

CNN - another jerk!

This reporter kept pushing other topics – out of context…

German Reporter based in Georgetown

Elton John Wannabe, This reporter became argumentative and very leading.

Answering leading questions with facts-Again!

Miscellaneous

Code Pink – Medina Benjaman

Homeland Security Plant???


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Free Republic; Government; News/Current Events; US: District of Columbia
KEYWORDS: aar; bho44; dc; freep; protest; tax; teaparty
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1 posted on 04/15/2009 6:22:53 PM PDT by kburi
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To: kburi; 1 Olgoat; 103198; 10Ring; 11Bush; 1stbn27; 2ndClassCitizen; 2SterlingConservatives; ...

PING!
A great time !


2 posted on 04/15/2009 6:25:31 PM PDT by kburi
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To: kburi; 1 Olgoat; 103198; 10Ring; 11Bush; 1stbn27; 2ndClassCitizen; 2SterlingConservatives; ...

PING!
A great time !


3 posted on 04/15/2009 6:25:50 PM PDT by kburi
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To: kburi
Here is a flickr set of photos my daughter and I took at the DC tea party in Lafayette Park today. http://www.flickr.com/photos/36356986@N06/sets/72157616821969008/

Here is one of Laura.


4 posted on 04/15/2009 6:27:48 PM PDT by Pete
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To: kburi

Thanks for the ping.


5 posted on 04/15/2009 6:31:04 PM PDT by GOPJ (The New York Times can compress the most words into the smallest ideas of anyone- bow to Lincoln)
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To: Pete

Thanks it was a great day. I couldn’t get close to hear any of Laura’s comments. But I did listen to her show until 10 or so.


6 posted on 04/15/2009 6:31:40 PM PDT by kburi
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To: kburi

The “which one are you drinking? Tea or Kool Aid. Was a wonderful picture. Thanks for sharing.


7 posted on 04/15/2009 6:34:26 PM PDT by GOPJ (The New York Times can compress the most words into the smallest ideas of anyone- bow to Lincoln)
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To: kburi

Great pics and it looks like everyone had a great time. Good sign about Pelosi’s ride. If we are not at war she shouldn’t have a ride.


8 posted on 04/15/2009 6:39:22 PM PDT by armymarinemom (My sons freed Iraqi and Afghan Honor Roll students.)
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To: kburi

When the message isn’t contrived by leftist organizers, then it seems, as in our rally, evidenced by all the hand-made signs, every topic is covered - nothing missed.


9 posted on 04/15/2009 6:51:20 PM PDT by BufordP ("I've abandoned free market principles to save the free market system."--George "the Abandoner" Bush)
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To: kburi

How the hell did I miss everyone.


10 posted on 04/15/2009 7:18:02 PM PDT by Trueblackman (Neo-Marxism promises everything to the underachiever and delivers nothing to the achiever)
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To: kburi

Great report, great pictures and a GREAT TEA PARTY! Thank you all on behalf of those of us that couldn’t be there.


11 posted on 04/15/2009 7:22:22 PM PDT by RockerMom2MyHero (Fight the Good Fight - Keep the Spirit alive!)
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To: kburi

Thank you SO MUCH for this terrific photo report...LOVED THE GREAT SIGNS MADE BY HAND BY GREAT AMERICANS!!! I LOVE THESE PEOPLE! I DO!


12 posted on 04/15/2009 7:32:00 PM PDT by Republic (Jedem das Seine)
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To: BufordP; kburi

Great signs! Great pictorial report! Sorry I missed you, BufordP. I stayed on the brick walk as close to the stage and I could get for over an hour. It sure did rain hard the whole time I was there and the radio announcement said it was 47 degrees.

I met some very nice people who were out with their young children at a protest for the first time, some taking a lunchtime stroll through the park (government workers who wanted to take part in the Tea Party — shhh, don’t tell the masters), and lots of people of all party affiliations who were tired of big government spending and power grabs.

As I was leaving, a policeman had a large flag on an 8-10 foot pole that he said had been left standing in the ground (which was against the rules). He looked like he was putting it in the trash and I and several others objected to throwing away a flag. He said he was only trying to lean it against the trash can. Well, I couldn’t take such a large wet flag back with me to my office, but a guy nearby who also objected to the policeman’s actions decided to hold the flag and take it home if no one claimed it.

The signs were really good. Spirits were very high, even though a lot of people were not able to hear the speeches or see the stage. The rain intensity necessitated keeping the speakers under the tent and they were not in the proper place to project sound very far.

There were reports of Secret Service snipers on adjacent rooftops and the White House. I told people that it was standard operating procedure during large rallies. The DC Chapter had certainly seen those same sights of black figures located strategically around during previous rallies.

There were a number of people I spoke with today who were familiar with Free Republic and a few who hopefully will be curious enough to check us out.

I’m glad I was able to take part in today’s Tea Party and hope the momentum continues.

FReep On!


13 posted on 04/15/2009 8:06:02 PM PDT by Angelwood (FReepers are Everywhere! We Support Our Troops! (Hillary's Vast Rt Wg Conspiracy))
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To: kburi; All
fwiw, as i rode home from work at 9PM EDT tonight, i heard that "a FEW right-wing protesters gathered near the WH" for a tea party.

i wonder how many THOUSANDS it takes for the media-DUMMIES to call it a BIG CROWD???

otoh, the NITWITS, America-HATERS, LEFTIST idiots & ANTISEMITES of "Code Pink-O" got LOTS of media coverage.

free dixie,sw

14 posted on 04/15/2009 8:09:24 PM PDT by stand watie (Resistance to TYRANTS is OBEDIENCE to God. T. Jefferson, 1804)
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To: Trueblackman

We were looking for you. But I heard you on the Great One’s show while I was finishing this up.

A great time was had by all.


15 posted on 04/16/2009 2:41:11 AM PDT by kburi
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To: Angelwood

Shame we didn’t meet up. Sorry I missed you.


16 posted on 04/16/2009 2:56:17 AM PDT by BufordP ("I've abandoned free market principles to save the free market system."--George "the Abandoner" Bush)
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To: kburi
I'm reading about all of these tea parties and am VERY impressed!

They seem to have really ticked the media and the Dems off, so that right there makes them a success.

17 posted on 04/16/2009 2:57:58 AM PDT by Allegra ( Never argue with an idiot. They bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.)
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To: kburi
I was over on the H street side of the park, but close to the crowd. I saw a bunch of you out there, but didn't recognize anyone. It was a great time, despite the rain. Here are some pics:

DC Party pics

18 posted on 04/16/2009 3:08:28 AM PDT by P8riot (I carry a gun because I can't carry a cop.)
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To: kburi

Thanks for this comprehensive report of the crowds and signs. Last night Greta did a review of Tea Parties across the country and three things stood out -

The signs were inventive and original, not mass-produced and paid for by agitator groups.

The people were serious but smiling - not hiding their faces behind anarchist masks.

Large ranks of police were no where in evidence.

Liberal media can deny these facts, but the people who attended all over the country saw the truth and will share what they experienced with their families, neighbors, and colleagues.


19 posted on 04/16/2009 5:17:07 AM PDT by maica (Politics is not about facts. it is about what politicians can get people to believe. - Thomas Sowell)
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To: kburi

Wish I had been there. : )


20 posted on 04/16/2009 6:10:45 AM PDT by YourAdHere (Joey Greco '12)
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