Brain-Jockey

Harrisburg Tea Party Brewing Up Strong

Written by Audrie Zettick on April 13, 2009

Like many like-minded citizens across the country, I’ll be participating in the April 15th Tax Day Tea Parties scheduled for across the country (see here for a national google map, here for PA tax day parties).   I’ll be at the Harrisburg, PA tea party helping with voter registration and videoing the event.  It’s noon on the Capitol steps.  I’ll be wearing my Smart Girl Politics t-shirt and in the company of my 15-y.o. daughter (so proud to be there for her “first” protest).

 

In contrast to the myths put forward by some on the far left that these are paid events populated by looney fringe elements, Harrisburg is continuing a grand series of successful bipartisan events that have gotten the attention of elected officials and the media for the past several years.  Returning is Operation Clean Sweep’s giant Pink Pig that first made its appearance during the revolution that started in response to the 11th-hour, unconstitutional pay raise voted by state legislators (later supported by the State Courts, who also benefited from the raise). 

 

The Harrisburg protest is also the second tea party in recent history here, and is just the next generation in  this trend to demand accountability in government.  Courtesy of The Commonwealth Foundation, here’s a list of important updates from the Harrisburg event:

 

1. We are asking that you please bring with you some dry tea bags, because once the speakers have concluded, we are going to march into the Capitol and pile up tea bags outside the door to the Governor’s office!  To send a clear message, we’ll need thousands of tea bags, so whatever you can bring is greatly appreciated.

 

2. Please bring with you a canned or boxed food item for the “We The People” Food Drive to benefit the Bethesda Mission. There are many Pennsylvanians in need, and we want to help them and demonstrate in this small way that care can come without government intervention.

 

3. If you are looking to carpool or organize a bus, it is recommended that you post a message on the ‘wall’ of the Facebook page to see how many other folks are also interested.

 

4. Back by popular demand to speak will be central PA talk radio stars R.J. Harris, Gary Sutton, and Matt Brouillette, as well as Sen. Mike “Citizen Mike” Folmer, and Rep. Sam Rohrer.

 

5. Making its Tea Party debut will be activist Gene Stilp’s giant Pink Pig, of the pay raise protests fame. Mr. Stilp will have other eye-catching props on display.

 

6. Also back by popular demand will be the musical smorgasbord of classic anti-establishment rock ‘n roll anthems like “We’re Not Gonna Take It” (Twisted Sister) and “Revolution” (the Beatles).

 

See here for great suggestions on sign slogans.  I may bring an extra or two, as infiltrators posing as bogus right-wing extremist protestors have already tried to get media attention at other tea parties, engaging innocent bystanders, then posting video on youtube (won’t give them the credit by linking to them).  My extra sign will say “POSER” with an arrow.   I look forward to meeting all the other moms who I have heard from who are attending–outraged that their kids’ legacy will be paying taxes on all the excessive spending at the federal and state level. 

 

We’re the real deal and we’ll see you there!