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Chesterfield County Fairground was the site for one of the growing numbers of ‘tea parties’ springing up across the nation.
Touted by organizers as a Festival of Freedom and Liberty, the event was hosted by WRVA’s own the affable Doc Thompson who told the assembled throng how his political views were formulated after reading Ayn Rand’s tome ‘Atlas Shrugged’ whilst in his twenties. Thompson then went on to introduce over ten speakers including renowned American author and essayist Edward Cline who spoke about the original Boston tea party and the currents and their parallels and differences.
Next up was Tito the Builder who rose to fame during last year’s presidential election. The Columbian immigrant told the crowd that the proudest day in his life was the day he became a US citizen and that he was only sorry he couldn’t do it twice. This was red meat to this extremely patriotic audience.
Pat Webb, from the Second Amendment Sisters, spoke on what the Second Amendment actually means
State Director for Americans for Prosperity, Ben Marchi, discussed how we can stop nationalized health care. More red meat. The group Americans for Prosperity are embarking on a nationwide “Patients First” bus tour which will take in 25 towns and cities in six days across Virginia with a message to urge constituents to call or visit their Congressmen and Senators in order to sign a petition that reads "oppose any legislation that imposes greater government control over my health care that would mean fewer choices for me and my family and even deny treatments to those in need."
The bus, covered with a giant red hand print and a message that reads: "Hands Off My Health Care," is well decked out which is not surprising as it the former campaign bus Senator John McCain used in his campaign for the Presidency. Staffers were handing out stickers and placards which stated “Socialism isn’t Cool.”
Other speakers’ topics included: “Progressive beliefs” by John Taylor who heads up Virginia Institute for Public Policy, “Don’t’ get angry get organized” which was a fiery yet humorous address byRobert Stacy McCAain a well known reporter, columnist and blogger, and “The Rights of Man: the American Founding Principle”.
Most in attendance would agree that the highlight of the day was the speech by Adnan Barqawi, a Kuwaiti immigrant who became a naturalized US citizen this year. Adnan, whom I interviewed before he took to the stage, was the buzz speaker. Many at the tea party had either heard Adnan speak at the Virginia Republican Convention in Richmond earlier this year or had heard about it. On that long Saturday afternoon at Convention when most were ready to go home Adnan walked onto the stage in his pristine military uniform and a star was born. Ten standing ovations later, Republicans were already talking about him running for Senate. Many remarked that it was a shame he couldn’t one day run for President to which the normal reply was “well it didn’t stop Obama.” I have written about Adnan previously and will do so again – he is a name to watch.
The Richmond Tea Party is an organization that touts themselves as a ‘nonpartisan group who support Individual Rights and Liberty’.
Many groups set up vendor stall selling buttons, stickers, books, t-shirts and other paraphernalia. A list of groups can be found here http://www.richmondteaparty.com/rsvpliberty.htm
Media reports have estimated the crowd at several hundred. I beg to differ as one of the organizers, Mickey White, said her people who monitored the RSVPs and entrance gates said over 2000 people were there throughout the course of the day. Of course, this is usual with political rallies and protests with the media underreporting attendance and organizers adamant that numbers were higher. I usually wait for a law enforcement officer to estimate the figure. For those of you reading this who attended Saturday; I would be interested to know your thoughts on crowd numbers.
A highlight of all these gatherings is the homemade t-shirts, signs and outfits. People are really creative and funny and their children even get into the act with “President Obama don’t steal from my piggy bank” and “Mom, President Obama doesn’t write his Bills for Congress so does that I mean I don’t have to do my homework?” Yellow flags with Don’t Tread on Me were in abundance. Upon entering the fairground people were greeted by a grave with a cross stating “R.I.P. American Taxpayer next to a grave with a shovel and a sign saying ‘shovel ready’.
This is not the last of the tea parties with other events, marches and fundraisers planned. The tea party movement is flourishing the longer Obama and his Democratic Congress continues their profligate spending. Already a website www.AfterTheParty.com has been set up to further the movement and keep people informed. The groups are using the internet to organize to great effect with various web sites as well as social networking tools like Twitter, MySpace and Facebook. Long may it continue.
Comments
What a great day and a great event. It was so good to see all those people with similar interests gather for a peaceful demonstration, voicing and expressing their patriotism. The educational seminars were also well attended and informative. Great account of the day Ms. McDermott.
Let us all be thankful for a reporter like Karyn who covers the a story honestly and completely. Great Job Karyn on the story and pictures.
Even though it is hard to estimate a crowd size, I talked to many people (est. 2000+), (police, est. 2,500+) food vendors (est. closer to 5K taking in consideration of many people coming and going) who attend events and are better than most estimating crowd size.
Nice to see some honest fair reprting for a change. It was a great event and I pray that this movement continues to grow. I have been asleep for too long but I am awake now!!
Thomas Jefferson said it best:
"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good concience to remain silent"
I for one shall remain silent no more.
I was astonished and horrified to read about this group 'americans for prosperity' (AFP) who oppose state control/management of healthcare.
In the Uk, a highlight of our NHS is the emphasis on patient choice, you pay a 'national insurance' tax/subcription to the government and the healthcare is 'free at the point of use' for the UK'S citizens.
The idea from AFP that more state control of healthcare would 'deny treatments to those in need' is madness. More state control of healthcare will provide treatments to those in need. I believe in the free market etc, but some systems are not suitable for the free market and as a society we need to support state management of these structures that cannot/are unsuitable to naturally make a profit on the free market.
Tea Parties are making a difference!
The healthcare debacle demonstrates that it's time to take the spending power from the politicians and give it back to the taxpayer. Congress has no idea what it takes to run a successful business or get value for their money. After all it’s our money they are spending not theirs.
Taxpayers are better stewards of the money they earn than the legislature.
Support Taxpayer Control
www.taxpayercontrol.org/Sign_the_Petition.html
First, I would like to take a moment to comment on the statement of "J Bickle" on this board. It is interesting that the individual from the U.K. doesn't mention the consequences of having the Government ration care to the populace. Whether it be telling OB/Gyn Physicians that they are NOT to offer epidurals to women in child birth (due to the cost) or the fact that life saving treatment is withheld in the name of "savings". One has but to look at the U.S. Government's "efficient" handling of Social Security and Medicare (both Bankrupt with $100 Trillion in unfunded liabilities)to have a glimpse of what America's combined medical future would be under "Government Control". Government does NOTHING efficiently. The very notion that "costs" will decrease when you open the flood gates to the entire nation is preposterous. The cost will ultimately be born by the Middle Class who will pay the highest price & suffer the worst consequences of such schemes. The time to take America back is now.
I would love to be the driver of this truck and wear my sporty shirt that I just ordered from RadRight.com !
Go TEA Partiers! I wish I had known, it's not that long a drive from Fredericksburg for a good cause!
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