By Tabitha Hale
Director of Member Relations and Outreach, SmartGirlPolitics.org
The question I was asked repeatedly was "what exactly are you protesting"? Looking around at the signs at yesterday’s DC Tea Party, I think it was clear: We’re done letting the government spend our money however it wants. We’re done watching them trample on our Constitution. It’s our turn to be heard. Popular signs said things like “Taxed Enough Already” and “Don’t Tread On Me”.
I had never been to a rally before, and somehow I ended up as the emcee for the DC Tea Party in Lafayette Park, directly across the street from the White House. I’m generally not the protest type, but that seemed to be a theme among the attendees - many people I spoke to were first time protesters. The crowd was diverse, despite accusations of white rightwing extremism – there were black, white, and Hispanic, men and women, Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. Especially notable is the increasing presence of young people and organizations like Young Republicans and Young America’s Foundation, both of which were represented yesterday in Lafayette Park.
It makes sense – young people are prone to action. We’re less jaded. We’re full of passion. We SHOULD be more involved. We SHOULD see opportunity for improvement and work to make things better. Some of the most inspiring moments for me personally were talking to students from American University, George Washington University, and other area colleges. Twenty-six year old Rachel Hoff spoke, discussing her candidacy for Chairman of Young Republicans. I brought two teenagers with me, who could not have been more excited to make an 8-hour round trip and stand out in the rain to be there. One of them even sported a Smart Girl Politics tee shirt and carried a stuffed pig.
At 25 years old, I’m a relatively recent product of public high school and a 2008 college grad. I know how I was TAUGHT to think in high school and college. The short sighted, entitled attitude of many students is infuriating to those of us who understand that the government does not owe us a high standard of living. Along with freedom comes responsibility for our own actions.
I spoke with Rebecca Wales, Lead Coordinator for the DC Tax Day Tea Party (and fellow board member of Smart Girl Politics) about the surge of youth activity in DC yesterday:
"Youth were integral with outreach for the DC Tax Day Tea Party and their presence was felt in a major way in DC and throughout the country. Here and Nationwide, Republican, Conservative, and Libertarian youth-related groups helped to educate young people about economic recklessness in our current administration and bring young people to Tea Parties Nationwide. To see articulate and powerful young people being interviewed yesterday onstage and by national media, sounding their concerns about their future, was empowering. They are saying they do not want to pay for the mistakes of these elected officials."
Young people clearly have a lot more at stake than our parents and grandparents. We’re going to feel the effects of these spending habits for a long time – as will our children and grandchildren. When I see people in my age group get fired up about REAL change, it does nothing but remind me that there is actually still REAL hope as well. They are our future government officials, voters, activists, and policymakers. It’s about time we engaged them.
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Hi guys-Michelle live blogging from the St. Louis, MO Tea Party! We arrived early to help with the setup and for me to get set to also do some live streaming. There was a pretty good crowd then (at 4:00) and we don't even start until 6:30!
A couple of photos for you:
6:49-The stream is running; the speakers are getting setup to talk now. We all just said the pledge and sang the anthem.
6:52-Crowd cheers for PROUD to be a conservative! Kevin MC-ing
6:55 Ed Martin Up now. Crowd boos CNN. Ed was watching it this AM. They said we are unpatriotic for protesting.
6:57 NO MORE AIG is being chanted. Ed lamenting the fact that AIG got a bailout but are sponsoring a soccer team that is not from America. Our won money is not staying here.
6:69 Chants of Barney Frank must go! His name is booed!
7:00 Naming off a list of taxes federal tax, state tax, sales tax, personal property tax-finishing with the DEATH Tax!
7:01 Gatewaypundit coming on.
7:07 When we beg China to buy our debt, we've got problems. When Putin warns the American people about the dangers of Socialism, we've got problems!
7:05 When you give millions to fund abortions right off the bat, we've got problems! (CHEERS!)
7:08 "Dont EVER EVER EVER give up!"
7:09 Who ever spends their way out of debt? They should have to call and ask US if they can't figure it out. We could help them figure it out. Gina Louden is up next!
7:11 Gina-MSNBC Called us "toothless teabaggers" we know our way of life is at risk. We believe our republic may be at risk. WAKE UP AMERICA!
7:15 "Save our republic!" chants! America WAKE UP! Now talking secret ballot. There is nothing secret about that ballot-they are attacking our rights with that. We want to save our childrens future. Our children are going to be paying this bill.
7:21 God bless the children. Save our children.
7:22 Todd Akin is here, but NOT to speak. He is walking around in the crowd a bit and talking to individuals though. This is a good thing.
7:22 Dana is next!
7:23 Can't believe the turnout! She is happy we are all here! (as we all are!)
7:24 Is upset 8 year old son sees a report on KTVI (our local Fox affilate) where we were all called extremists. She does not serve a party, but her country. (aprox 7,000 people here) Can't make this about politics-we won't let them. This is about doing the right thing. We are allowed to excercize our constitutional right to assemble-that does not make us fringe.
7:29 Our debt has been tripled-this is a big problem. "You got a tax cut, whatcha' crying about?" How long will that $13 last when Cap and Trade goes in effect? Cap and Trade will effect all of us. (AHH Todd Akin just shook my hand and talked to me! Yay!) We have lost touch with what it means to be an American.
7:32 USA USA USA chanting! Dissent is now so frowned upon they have to issue reports about those who are dissenters and call us extremists. Protesting is an American thing to do. It's ok for them, but not for us. Chants of "Vote them out!"
7:40 Geez I need a FIRE I am getting cold and shiverin'.
7:44 Bill Hennessy speaking now. Lower the tax rate for business and families FOR REAL and spend some money on the military so they can do their job. Liberty is something to share with all your friends and neighbors! God bless America and chants of USA!
7:45 Folks clearing out now. It's done. Great crowd no problems! Thanks EVERYONE for coming out today! I will log back in later and share some more pictures.
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The question I was asked repeatedly was "what exactly are you protesting"? Looking around at the signs at yesterday’s DC Tea Party, I think it was clear: We’re done letting the government spend our money however it wants. We’re done watching them trample on our Constitution. It’s our turn to be heard. Popular signs said things like “Taxed Enough Already” and “Don’t Tread On Me”.
America’s Foundation, both of which were represented yesterday in Lafayette Park.
"Youth were integral with outreach for the DC Tax Day Tea Party and their presence was felt in a major way in DC and throughout the country. Here and Nationwide, Republican, Conservative, and Libertarian youth-related groups helped to educate young people about economic recklessness in our current administration and bring young people to Tea Parties Nationwide. To see articulate and powerful young people being interviewed yesterday onstage and by national media, sounding their concerns about their future, was empowering. They are saying they do not want to pay for the mistakes of these elected officials."
