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Anti-Tax Faithful Rally at Tea Parties

By the Associated Press

Posted Apr 15, 2009 6:32 PM CDT
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(AP) – Whipped up by conservative commentators and bloggers, tens of thousands of protesters staged "tea parties" around the country today to tap into the collective angst stirred up by a bad economy, government spending, and bailouts. Protesters even threw what appeared to be a box of tea bags toward the White House, causing a brief lockdown at the compound. Click on Slideshow at left to see photos.

Demonstrators hold up signs during a Tax Day Tea Party in Pleasanton, Calif.
Demonstrators hold up signs during a Tax Day Tea Party in Pleasanton, Calif.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
People gather during a tax day tea party in Lansing, Mich.
People gather during a tax day tea party in Lansing, Mich.   (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Wendy DeVier of Lexington, Ky., waves a flag on the Capitol steps as she joins a tax-day protest in Frankfort, Ky.
Wendy DeVier of Lexington, Ky., waves a flag on the Capitol steps as she joins a tax-day protest in Frankfort, Ky.   (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)
Protesters carrying signs and American flags participate in a tax day tea party rally at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill.
Protesters carrying signs and American flags participate in a tax day tea party rally at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill.   (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
Susan Tranfaglia wears a tea-bag hat and ear rings during an anti-tax rally at the Statehouse in Concord, N.H., Wednesday, April 15, 2009.
Susan Tranfaglia wears a tea-bag hat and ear rings during an anti-tax rally at the Statehouse in Concord, N.H., Wednesday, April 15, 2009.   (AP Photo/Jim Cole)
Protesters take part in a tea party demonstration, Wednesday, April 15, 2009, in Lafayette Park, across from the White House in Washington.
Protesters take part in a tea party demonstration, Wednesday, April 15, 2009, in Lafayette Park, across from the White House in Washington.   (Ron Edmonds)
Theresa Patrie, an engineer from Lynn, Mass., attends a tax day protest on the Boston Common in Boston, Wednesday, April 15, 2009.
Theresa Patrie, an engineer from Lynn, Mass., attends a tax day protest on the Boston Common in Boston, Wednesday, April 15, 2009.   (Stephan Savoia)
Russell Wirtalla, dressed as a Colonial soldier, joins tax protesters rallying on the north steps of the state Capitol in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 15, 2009.
Russell Wirtalla, dressed as a Colonial soldier, joins tax protesters rallying on the north steps of the state Capitol in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 15, 2009.   (George Ruhe)
Protesters carry signs at a rally sponsored by West Virginia Concerned Citizens to protest government spending on the steps of the West Virginia state Capitol in Charleston, W.Va.
Protesters carry signs at a rally sponsored by West Virginia Concerned Citizens to protest government spending on the steps of the West Virginia state Capitol in Charleston, W.Va.   (Bob Bird)
Protesters take part in a tea party demonstration, Wednesday, April 15, 2009, in Lafayette Park, across from the White House in Washington.
Protesters take part in a tea party demonstration, Wednesday, April 15, 2009, in Lafayette Park, across from the White House in Washington.   (Ron Edmonds)
Protesters gather outside the Federal building in Anchorage, Alaska on Wednesday, April 15, 2009.
Protesters gather outside the Federal building in Anchorage, Alaska on Wednesday, April 15, 2009.   (Al Grillo)
Protesters take part in a tea party demonstration, Wednesday, April 15, 2009, in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington.
Protesters take part in a tea party demonstration, Wednesday, April 15, 2009, in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington.   (Ron Edmonds)
Nancy Woodrow, of Glen Rock, Pa., holds up a sign in the rain during a tax day protest on the steps of the Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., Wednesday, April 15, 2009.
Nancy Woodrow, of Glen Rock, Pa., holds up a sign in the rain during a tax day protest on the steps of the Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., Wednesday, April 15, 2009.   (Carolyn Kaster)
Five-year-old Elianna Dickens participates in a rally sponsored by West Virginia Concerned Citizens on the steps of the West Virginia state Capitol in Charleston, W. Va. Wednesday, April 15, 2009.
Five-year-old Elianna Dickens participates in a rally sponsored by West Virginia Concerned Citizens on the steps of the West Virginia state Capitol in Charleston, W. Va. Wednesday, April 15, 2009.   (Bob Bird)
Several hundred protesters participate in a tax day protest on the Boston Common in Boston, Wednesday, April 15, 2009.
Several hundred protesters participate in a tax day protest on the Boston Common in Boston, Wednesday, April 15, 2009.   (Stephan Savoia)
A tax protester holds a picture of President Obama during the Atlanta Tea Party tax protest Wednesday.
A tax protester holds a picture of President Obama during the Atlanta Tea Party tax protest Wednesday.   (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
A man holds up a tea kettle during the Atlanta Tea Party tax protest.
A man holds up a tea kettle during the Atlanta Tea Party tax protest.   (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Becky Hanshaw of McAllen, Texas, listens to a speech during a tax-day protest in Dallas.
Becky Hanshaw of McAllen, Texas, listens to a speech during a tax-day protest in Dallas.   (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
A woman holds a sign during the Atlanta Tea Party tax protest.
A woman holds a sign during the Atlanta Tea Party tax protest.   (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 16 comments
jaguarj
Apr 16, 2009 12:45 PM CDT
They don't understand shit...like OBB..
Caps
Apr 16, 2009 12:25 PM CDT
Mad, I agree with you. I bet that thoese protesting does not make 250k year. Just a bunch of Republicans wanting to be seen and heard. Poor pathetic losers.
Mad
Apr 16, 2009 12:08 PM CDT
I don't get it... wtf were they protesting against? Certainly not taxes, as I bet less than 1% of the protesters make $250K/yr, so.... ?

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taxes • conservative • protests • tea parties

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