Nationwide: In Tennessee, an overwhelming crowd of 10,000 people met on the Legislative Plaza, spilling into sidewalks and up the hill toward the Capitol building. Cars circled the area honking horns. In Rochester, N.Y., 1,000 tea partiers marched on the county administration building and city hall. Approximately 4,000 people crowded Fountain Square in Cincinnati, while 8,000 gathered in Madison, Wis., 5,000 surrounded the Oklahoma Capitol and 4,000 attended the Chicago party. Even Rhode Island, the smallest U.S. state, brought 1,000 protesters to its Capitol. Washington state police estimated crowds of 5,000 in Olympia while 2,500 marched the streets of Boise, Idaho and 1,500 rallied in Austin, Texas. In Lansing, Mich., throngs were measured at 7,000, while 3,000 gathered in Hartford, Conn., and 2,000 Floridians in Jacksonville poured wagons of tea into the St. Johns River. An additional 1,000 people packed into Market Square in Pittsburgh, Pa., while 1,000 gathered in Des Moines, Iowa.
Minnesota: Twin Cities: Hundreds of tea-bag toting protesters staged a “tea party” at state Capitol on Wednesday evening to express outrage over soaring federal government spending, bailouts and a sour economy. “Our message is simple,” said rally mistress of ceremonies Sue Jeffers. “Repeal the pork, cut the taxes, stop the out-of-control spending and get government out of lives.” Jeffers said the crowd totaled “at least 8,000.”
California: Sacramento: 5,000 protest - “We’ve had it!” Meckler shouted. “We’re tired of being punished by politicians!”
New York: Buffalo: They came by the hundreds filling up Niagara Square on this Tax deadline to say they’re fed with all the taxes their paying. “I came here today because I’m sick and tired of our government taking our money and my children’s money and my grandchildren who aren’t even born, taking their money and doing what they want,” said Alicia Howell, an East Aurora resident. “Why is the only answer they ever have to spend more and more of your money. They spend it, they mess it up, and then they ask you for more. That’s not the answer we need to do better than that,” said Marilla resident Seth Krull. “They’re serving themselves and they are not serving the people.They ask us to do without while they continue to do with more and more and more,” said Greg Collins, a Cheektowaga resident. Kostrzewski said, “If it continues we will become Socialistic. They will bankrupt us. We will become just like any other country, and that is not in our best interest.”
Texas: Rowlett turns out 200 - “What we see now is a government that’s throwing our money away,” said Jeff Estep of Rowlett. “It started with [President George W.] Bush. Nobody’s listening up in Washington to us.”
Florida: Panama City: Hundreds poured out Wednesday to rally against a surge in federal spending many said would leave their children saddled with trillions in debt. “Everybody wants a hand out,” said Virginia McDaniel, a teacher at Springfield Elementary School who has lived in Panama City since 2000. “It’s affecting our livelihood and you know it’s going to affect our children’s.” “I have lived in countries (Germany and England) with these programs and seen them up close,” McDaniel said. “They don’t work.” … Port St. Lucie - “The pirates of Somalia have nothing on the pirates of D.C.,” read one person’s sign. “We’ll keep our money, you keep your change,” stated another. More than 500 people lined the east sidewalk by the 5 p.m. traffic rush. Protesters blew whistles, waved flags, ran onto the median until reprimanded by law enforcement officials, and hollered each time a passing driver laid on his or her horn for support.
Michigan: Hundreds attended the Muskegon Tea Party - “We are here to say to government that you must be responsible,” Kaijala told the crowd. “Stop spending beyond our means to pay.”
Washington: Issaquah: When local Tax Day Tea Party organizer Tom Price arrived at the corner of Sunset Way and Front Street just after noon today, he was alone. Then, he looked down Sunset: Less than 500 feet away, hundreds of protestors were gathered on the steps of City Hall. Photo gallery here. … Price and more than 200 others were part of a groundswell of frustration with government bailouts, federal spending and the policies of Congress and the Obama administration. … Bellingham: From calls of “Born free, taxed to death” to “HONK – If I’m paying your mortgage,” an estimated 1,500 people came to Meridian Street Wednesday, April 15, to protest federal spending and taxation policies. Julie Roorda, a mother of four, came from Lynden to participate with her 6-year-old son, who held a sign that read, “Keep your hands out of my piggy bank.” “I am worried about my children’s future and the fact that they’re going to have to pay back a big debt they’ll never be able to,” said Roorda, a 41-year-old insurance broker. … Yakima draws 700 protesters - “I am sick and tired of hearing the private sector blamed for this mess,” said 55-year-old Elizabeth Benefiel of Yakima. The free market should be allowed to solve the problem without government intervention said Benefiel, who carried a sign reading: “Your mortgage is not my problem.”
Georgia: Savannah: Dozens of people gathered in front of the Chatham County Courthouse at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday. They marched from the courthouse on Montgomery down to Savannah City Hall. The group held signs and waved flags, calling for more government accountability. “We’re sick of all these things: the bailouts, layoffs, taxes. I don’t want my future children and future generations to be paying for the debt and the mistakes of this government,“ says Chrissy Thums, one of the march participants. … Atlanta: More than 7,000 tax protesters streamed Wednesday to state government’s front lawn, creating a sign-waving, anthem-shouting mass as darkness fell. The Atlanta “Tea Party” at the Georgia Capitol stretched for blocks in protest of federal spending. Amber Anneshensley and her brother, Michael Obetz, both 15 and from Suwanee, held signs to support the cause. Michael’s said, “Honk if we pay your mortgage.” Their mother, Paula Lanier, said she brought her children to the rally to “teach them to speak up for what they believe in.” “I don’t like how government is spending my money, raising my taxes to give it to people who let their own businesses fail.” … Newman turns out 200 protesters at City Hall - Participants hoisted signs proclaiming “End Corporate Welfare,” “Stop Spending Our Money” and “Don’t Tread on Me” as they cheered “U.S.A.! U.S.A.!” and sang patriotic songs such as “God Bless America” and the “Star-Spangled Banner.”
Kansas: Hutchinson: “We were hoping 2,000,” said Connie Schmitt. “This is more – this is just fantastic.” Attendees held signs ranging from “Taxed Enough Already” to “Com-mander and Thief” to one that said “Right Wing Nut Job,” with an arrow pointing downward. Standing near a table for attendees to sign a petition calling on the federal government to practice fiscal responsibility, Sam Caffery may have been the youngest of the sign-holders. The Prosperity Elementary School fifth-grader held a cardboard placard painted gold, with red letters that read “What About My? Future.” “It means I don’t want to pay a debt I haven’t owed,” Sam said.
Illinois: Springfield: Hundreds of people rallied Wednesday at the capitol. Many people are against the 50-percent tax hike proposed by the governor. They also question the 800-billion dollar federal economic stimulus plan.
West Virginia: Charleston - The crowd of almost 600 people in Charleston was part of the nationwide Tax Day Tea Party where Americans protested what they call out-of-control government spending. “I’m terrified by the massive leaps toward socialism that this country is taking,” said Crystal Newman, a home-schooling mother who addressed the crowd.
Connecticut: New Haven: “One day we woke up and we’re socialist!” cried Corinne Miller, as activists dumped tea into the New Haven Harbor in protest of Tax Day. Protesters rallied on a waterfront hill on Long Wharf Drive on Wednesday, waving dozens of American flags and joining in chants like, “Hey hey! No no! Get your hands off of my dough!” They held signs with anti-Obama slogans and sayings that included “Income Redistribution Sucks!” and “Taxed Enough Already!” Senator Chris Dodd’s name came up many times at the tea party, in the form of signs and chants of “Dump Dodd Now!”
Indiana: Indianapolis - Tax day tea party at the State House - Photo gallery here.
Louisiana: Shreveport: Check out a video and photo gallery from the Tax Day Tea Party held on the lawn of the Bossier Civic Center late Wednesday afternoon.
I am thrilled by the reports of the turnouts. We spend our summers in Bemidji,MN and I would love the organizer to contact me. Thanks and let’s definitely keep this movement going!!!
We had roughly 350 in Oregon City, Or. But if you count all the folks honking their horns and giving a thumbs up as they drove by, the numbers would be, well, heartwarming. We were enthusiastic, energized and ready for more action!
[...] 9pm EDT Update [...]
Kentucky, Bowling Green We had one month to plan, expected about 100 or so and we had at least 500 people at Fountain Square in downtown Bowling Green. Many drove by and honked their horns in support. Great signs. Citizens spoke after the pledge of alliegance by all. It was a great enthusiastic crowd. We are planning the next one for July 4th! On to bigger and better!
My husband and I attended the Denver ralley. Police estimated the crowd at 5000. Not too shabby! We were very proud of how well everyone behaved!
Even some representatives came out onto the balcony on the west side to
check us out! They also were very entusiastic and surprised to see so many.
They were snapping pictures of us. Even though one local news reporter stated “This was an angry croud”, it just goes to show, “They don’t get it”!
I don’t think it wise we should be dismissed. Let’s keep this going!
ST. Clair Shores, Michigan.
Inspired because we couldn’t join the party in Lansing. We thought we have a local Tea Party in our little city.
We were hoping for at least 50 to come and at the height of the event I counted at least 368. It was an amazing day. Met some great people and had a lot of fun!
Loved the people honking when they passed and the thoughtful ladies that couldn’t stay but brought us cake! We will remember the young girl and her dog who is on her way to serve this country. Her sign read ” I will die for my country but not for my government!”
Thanks to everyone who spread the word and was able to come.
Thanks to The Macomb Daily for coming to report on the event.
Manchester, NH tea party had 1000+ people. Great crowd and great speakers talking about changes needed in Federal and Local Government-let’s keep this movement going!
The Worcester Tea Party in Worcester, MA Had well over 2000 people. Amazing energy, Amazing turnout!
Happy to REPORT 10,000 at Indianapolis, Indiana…….YA
i live in very liberal town in southern Colorado and i was only expecting to see 40 or so people at the tea party but no there were hundreds of people there it really shocked me, i was so happy to see that there are more people than i thought in my area of Colorado that feels the same way. Im so glad to hear that Denver and Colorado Springs got good turn outs as well.
According to estimates, approximately 1,500 people showed up to the rally in Colorado Springs, Colorado
We had over 640 at our St Simons Island / Brunswick GA Tea Party!
In the small town of Belton, Tx, (populaton 12,000) over 1000 joined in the Tea Party Rally. This Tea Party is a grass roots protest by fiscal conservatives, Democrat and Republican alike, that understand the concept of an income statement and negative cash flow. As a country, for the last 35 years Republicans and Democrats alike have ransomed our childrens future with spending more than we make.
It is time to oust the perpetual spending machine in our government. It will be difficult and painful for many people………but the alternative of a defunct nation is not acceptable. We must stand up for the principles that our Republic (not a Democracy) was founded upon.
In Anchorage, Alaska more than 1,000 people met at the Federal Building starting at 11 am. Scores of people drove by, honking and yelling. Many great signs, but one of the best was “Don’t Tax Me, Bro’”
I was told there were other events around the state, including 2 in Fairbanks, Wasilla, Juneau, Ketchikan and Kodiak.
Next protest should be in Washington. Let’s get organized with this grassroots group and get the crowds out for DC this summer. I believe we can do it and I will be there and commit at least 10 other people.
Vicki
Tunica, MS
We just came from the Central Valley Tea Party and I’m happy to report over 7,500 attendees!
About 7,000 people I estimated in Denver. Was extremely exciting and everyone was ambitious for change…..not the proclaimed change of the Obama administration.
Count me in! Thanks to all those who made this happen!
Punta Gorda, FL over 2,000 people attended our Tea Party at Gilchrist Park. The last half hour was spent marching on the one mile long Gilchrist Bridge to the sounds of honking horns a waving supporters.