Published: July 02, 2009 03:27 pm      

Tax protest set for 4th

Members of Taxed Enough Already (TEA) are holding a peaceful protest to celebrate the Fourth of July and our freedom.

The event will take place on the west side of the Cooke County Courthouse from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, July 4.

TEA member Nicki Truesdell said everyone is invited to participate in the protest.

“There just seems to be a lot of people not happy with the way our government is moving right now,” said Truesdell. “This is a chance, if you’re not happy with health care, car companies, bailouts, the way your representatives are voting in congress or whatever, to voice your concerns.”

Truesdell describes the TEA party as a patriotic event. It is open to anyone who has issues with big government, no matter what party a person belongs to.

“This is a patriotic event for people who love their country,” she said. “It’s a way to have your voice heard, no matter who you are or who you voted for. This is not a time to bash the president or the country, but a time to express what you would like to see changed in our government.”

Hundreds of tea parties around the country will be held on July 4, added Truesdell. With that in mind, TEA members decided to also hold a party to make a statement.

Their basic message is simple. TEA wants people to know that they value our freedoms and believe this protest is the best way to prove that, she said.

Anyone present who would like to speak at the protest, will be given five minutes to say something, added Truesdell. Speeches will also be read from historical figures such as past presidents, patriotic music will be played and at least one petition will be signed and sent to a representative in congress.

For those interested in attending the TEA party, Truesdell recommended the following items to bring: cold drinks, an umbrella for shade, sunblock and signs to let people know how you feel.

The idea to form TEA came from a play on words from the 1773 Boston Tea Party. Much like the Boston Tea Party, where colonists protested Britain taxes, Truesdell said she believes the July 4 TEA party will also give citizens a chance to voice their complaints about current governmental taxes.

“The biggest complaint people have who show up at these TEA parties is about taxes,” she said. “That, and that there is less income and less representation for people.”

For more information about the TEA party, contact Truesdell at 612-1300.