The Virginia Beach Tea Party

Posted by mom2mom on April 16, 2009

I was there today, and took lots of pictures. I got there a few minutes late and missed the National Anthem and intros, but stayed until the end. As I walked up to the Fountain Plaza and saw the crowd, tears welled up in my eyes as I realized that there are people who still care about this country and freedom. I saw lots of people, young and old, of many different walks of life. I also saw a number of homeschool kids and their parents. I wanted to bring Melissa, but she’s been sick. Even though it was cloudy, drizzly and kind of chilly today, the turnout was high and the spirit was up. I’m so glad I made it out today, and look forward to being a part of similar events in the future.

Here’s a news video by the Pilot Online (Hamptonroads.tv):

Here’s the article the Pilot wrote:
Hundreds gather in Hampton Roads for tax-day protest

Now I want to share my pictures. I hope I’ve captured the overall spirit and attitude of the gathering, as well as given a glimpse into the purpose and intent of the Tea Party movement.

: That’s me!

Filed Under: Politics Comments: 4 Comments to Read

Tags: congresswoman Thelma Drake, hampton roads, hampton roads area, homeschool, homeschool kids, porkulus, protest, south hampton roads, stimulus, tax day protest, tax day tea party, tea party, tea party movement, Thelma Drake, virginia beach, virginia beach town center

Leslie said,

Hi Melodie,
I was there too and agree with you that it was a really great thing! I could hear the chanting from the garage and that was so cool. Wish I had taken pictures from up there, but I was afraid I was missing it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nDcW8hk2iI. I look forward to June when the whole family can go.

Take care,

Leslie
Lydia said,

Wow, the costumes were very elaborate! You guys look way more brisk than the people on TV. It looks like a very focused demonstration.
mom2mom said,

Lydia, I posted a comment on your blog post http://www.littleblueschool.com/2009/04/tea-party-would-have-been-awesome-with.html. I’m quoting my comment below for my readers to see:

I read up a bit on the Washington D.C. tea party and it seems like it was poorly planned and disorganized, for organizers to say “we thought we had a permit” – well, either you do or you don’t! City ordinances typically have clear rules about what’s not allowed at a large group event on public property. Dumping is one of those things that’s probably not allowed anywhere. On the taxdayteaparty.com site someone said in the comments section on the Wash. D.C. page that someone from the Daily Kos (liberal) dumped the box of tea bags over the fence while accomplices created a diversion. Have no idea if that’s true. I couldn’t find an official site for the 4/15 D.C. tea party by the D.C. tea party organizers, though it appears they’ve put something up after the fact for future events. Of all the Tea Parties that one should have been the biggest and best.

The Tea Party Rally in Virginia Beach was well-organized and they set some ground rules for the attendees, one being no signs mentioning Obama by name because of the impression it might give (specifically it would give the left-wing media fodder to have a field day with and discredit the cause even further). A few people still had Obama signs but nothing particularly offensive. Tea bags and pork rinds were collected and distributed by volunteers to the local offices of Senators Webb and Warner and Reps. Nye and Scott. Have no idea how those were received but at least no Secret Service hackles were raised.

I want to go to a big rally in D.C. around the 4th of July and there’s a lot of buzz on the ‘net and social networks about it but no cohesive firm plans even though it’s been bandied about for 2 months already. I’ve seen plans for an event at the Mall and other plans for another one near the White House (Lafayette Park). IMO there should be ONLY ONE REALLY BIG rally/protest, otherwise the cause and it’s message will be diluted.
Reid Greenmun said,

I was very inspired by the everyday folks that turned out on a cold, gloomy day in the middle of the week to show their support for our nation, constitution, founding principles, and traditional American values and common sense!

I was blessed with the opportunity to be one of the speakers and even more blessed to have my teenaged daughter work with me to create my signs and organize my speech.

This event revealed to everyone that attended that patriots still live and we are not willing to go quietly into the night as our government officials destroy our nation’s future.