Revolution brews at TEA Party rally
Published: July 8, 2009
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Nearly 100 people gathered in protest at a TEA Party Rally held July 4 at Crisman Memorial Park, South Montrose. Some protestors displayed signs airing their grievances; one person dressed in Revolutionary War attire carried the Gadsden Flag.
With signs, speeches and one peaceful protestor in Revolutionary War clothing waving a Gadsden flag, about 100 people gathered at Crisman Memorial Park in South Montrose on July 4 to voice their grievances at a TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Party Rally.
Amy Bell, a Springville area homemaker, said, “For a long time, we walked around grumbling and complaining about the things we felt were going wrong.”
She said the rally gave her and her family a forum to share those feelings. “Things have gone terribly awry that we’re not okay with,” said Bell.
“One of the best things was to stand up and voice our opinions and realize we are not alone. There are other people who feel the same way. I don’t think we’re in the minority,” said Bell.
She said it was one of the most memorable Independence Day celebrations she had ever attended. “It really brought home what this country really is – the fact that we have the ability to go out there and say we’re not okay with how (this country currently) is. It was a neat, neat 4th of July.”
Mary Place, a retired Mehoopany resident living on social security and a small retirement, attended the TEA Party.
She said the South Montrose rally brought out a lot of good points. “We’ve got to stop the spending in this country,” said Place.
“I think we need some more TEA Parties to wake up Washington,” said Place. “I’m not sure if we can wake them up or if we have to vote them out.”
“There are lots of issues. And Congress isn’t listening to the people,” said Place. Other than spending, Place also has concerns about cap and trade, taxes and the health care bill proposals. “They’re trampling the Constitution and Bill of Rights – everything we have stood for in the past couple hundred of years.”
Place now plans to become more active and more vocal. “We have to get the message out. If the media doesn’t do it, we have to,” said Place.
She thinks the TEA Party events have gotten a bad rap in the media. “I think there needs to be more exposure to both sides of the issues. Either people don’t understand or don’t want to understand what it’s all about.”
“My husband and I are both conservatives, but not hard-nosed conservatives. We’re willing to listen to other ideas,” said Place, “but the liberals are shutting out all the ideas but their own.”
