Bakersfield California "Tax Enough Already!" protest

free republic.com ^ | April 15 , 2009 | Nateman

[Nateman]

I came out early to see todays Tea Party in Bakersfield. It had a huge turnout. Hundreds at least with 5 lefties who wondered on in and then went to the fringe. (It got to crowded in the main square to move around by about 4:00 PM!). Congressman Kevin McCarthy came by along with local radio show host Jazz McKay. It got so packed I never even saw the two of them! I stayed pretty busy taking pictures so I have a sample of such below with running commentary.

[Nateman]

They were selling T-shirts with this. They sold out quickly. I got there early so I got mine!

This is looking out towards the street. They had a huge flag hanging form a crane.

It was hard to capture just how many people were there. I had to step on the other side of the street to get this view. Some lefties did show up. There were 5. The cops formed a barrier around them because they were outnumbered 100 to one.

Too bad I did'nt do more than take their picture, I'm sure they had an interesting story to tell.

A man of few words. Got to respect that.

The protest started at 4:30 but this fellow was out there all by himself at 2:00 ! I figure he wins the dedication award.

I included these two suspicious looking characters because the Department of Homeland Security considers them potential terrorist, don't you know.

Super Statist fighter to the rescue!

I really liked this sign.

Another potential terrorist! Who knows what fould deeds he's capable of given enough time!

[Nateman]

Good God Look at all the typos! I really meant to hit “preview” and spare you all the errors, I really did!

[Deagle]

Typos are just that...not to be worried about... I just hope that this is just a preview of the July 4th revolt!

[DennisR]

There were several thousands in Olympia, WA - right on the steps of the Legislative building.

The TEA parties are a solid start. But we, the people, have to follow up by having “Push Back Until” events later this year, early next year, and for as long as we have to: http://pushbackuntil.com.

It will not be easy, but how interested are we in saving our country from an irresponsible Congress? If we, the people, do nothing, our country is finished.

“Be in D.C. to Push Back Until!”

[Nateman]

It was pretty big here. It started flowing into the street because the square no longer had enough room for everybody. The police even threatened at one point it shut it down unless people got out of the road. The public response was great too , all kinds of cars honking their horns along with a few big rigs that came by and blasted theirs. It made you feel like the America of Old had returned, that anything was possible.

[Nateman]

I like your ideas for push back. Perhaps some wild cat strikes thrown in for good measure. Imagine what could happen if those who actually do the work simply stopped on certain days?

[Nateman]

Congressman John Boehner also came by to speak. Whatever sins he has done in the past it should be remember that he threw the budget down on the floor in congress and accused all of them of not reading what they were voting on. I only stayed to hear local talk show host Jazz McKay speak myself. He did a great job of working up the crowd.

[DennisR]

Anything to disrupt “business as usual,” especially in D.C. That is why we have to get a few hundred thousand there - possible as early as July 3 (Friday, the day before Independence Day). Then we follow it up in September and - the coup de grace - on the day of the State of the Union address. We will do these events every year and increase them if we do not see Congress passing certain laws that ensure the long-term viability of the USA!

http://pushbackuntil.com

[CaliforniaCon]

RE: “It was pretty big here. It started flowing into the street because the square no longer had enough room for everybody. The police even threatened at one point it shut it down unless people got out of the road. The public response was great too , all kinds of cars honking their horns along with a few big rigs that came by and blasted theirs. It made you feel like the America of Old had returned, that anything was possible.”

*******

Sounds terrific!!! Great pics, too —

Seems like Bakersfield was similar to the turnout down here in Van Nuys, in the San Fernando Valley — great public response to all the attendees and lots of honking horns from passing cars. Numerous terrific signs and flags were everywhere. Police estimated crowd to be around 2,000 to 3,000. Imagine that in a city like L.A.!

[Nateman]

I grew up near that area (Northridge). I guess that makes me a home grown terrorist. Of course if they come to stick me in an Obama re-education camp I’ll claim I just converted to Islam, that way I will get a free pass to do almost anything.

[Nateman]

I took 185 photos in all of this event. After going over them in detail and preforming a little math I’ve since found out my estimate was way off. I’d say at least 5000 not 500. If anybody wants to see more pictures I’d be happy to post them.

[cowboy_code]

Slideshow of Tax Revolt- Van Nuys, Ca
To open slideshow, Use password tripod

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v213/photog1z/Tax%20Revolt/?albumview=slideshow

[CaliforniaCon]

RE: “I grew up near that area (Northridge). I guess that makes me a home grown terrorist. Of course if they come to stick me in an Obama re-education camp I’ll claim I just converted to Islam, that way I will get a free pass to do almost anything”

*************

Yes, you are a home grown terrorist! I am planning to put yet another bumper sticker on my car so as to easily identify myself to zero’s goons: “Proud Right Wing Extremist”

Cheers!

[CaliforniaCon]

RE: “Slideshow of Tax Revolt- Van Nuys, Ca
To open slideshow, Use password tripod”

**********

Thank you! I’ll take a look! I was wearing an NRA cap and carrying a “Don’t Tread on Me” flag -—

[Nateman]

This does not even capture half of them

[Nateman]

The square was so crowded people were lining the street. Police threatened to shut it down at one point due to concerns over blocking traffic.

I stood behind the screwballs with a REALLY BIG sign. OK , so I photo-shopped this image but if you found that funny click on that picture for the now classic (and huge!) teleprompter gag thread.