The grassroots organizer for the first "tea party" tax protest in Montana says that the event's success indicates the concern in Montana about taxes and spending in Washington, DC.
Between 500 and 1,000 people rallied on Saturday at Depot Park in Kalispell as part of the Flathead Tea Party. The Boston Tea Party is the inspiration for the modern day demonstration and event organizers tell us the rally was a non-partisan and peaceful.
Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg released a statement in reaction to the "new age" tea parties saying, "Montanans are understandably outraged at the dangerously irresponsible spending in Washington, D.C. The tea parties springing up around the nation exemplify that anger, and I hear their message loud and clear".
A spokesman for Montana Senator Jon Tester said that "Jon is very concerned about government spending. He was the only Senate Democrat to vote against both bailouts, and just this week voted to cut the federal deficit in half".
There are at least two tea parties set to take place in Billings on April 15th, with more than 300 scheduled nationwide. Tea parties have been scheduled for Missoula, Stevensville and Polson as well.
One of the grassroots organizers in Billings says that the event is non-partisan and the idea is to express concern about taxes, spending and the stimulus.
The Billing rally will begin at Noon on the Yellowstone County Courthouse lawn and then move to the main Post Office, and will run from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
(from April 5, 2009)
Hundreds of Flathead Valley residents armed with signs and tea bags are expressed their disapproval of the national spending on Saturday.
The Flathead Tea Party was held in Depot Park as a non-partisan protest aimed at sending a message to Washington DC about government spending and fiscal responsibility.
The recently passed federal stimulus package prompted people in different cities across the U.S. to hold protests based off the Boston Tea Party of 1773. Another tea party tax revolt will be held Kalispell on April 15th.
The local community members and politicians who spoke at the tea party, said that the national debt keeps growing and the federal government is spending too much money.
"I think that they're worried that the government is spending us into oblivion, and I feel that my kids already owe $22,000, and they haven't even started their first job" said Kalispell resident Jon Cuthbertson. "And I don't think that's right. I think the government should have to live within their means."
There are more tea parties are planned in Western Montana, including in Polson, Stevensville and Missoula.
(from March 25, 2009)
Flathead residents tired of the government's big spending are throwing a tea party to express their concern. This is a non-partisan protest to send a message to Washington D.C. about government spending and fiscal responsibility, said organizer Susan Taylor.
The stimulus package prompted people in different cities across the U.S. to hold protests based of the Boston Tea Party. The Flathead Tea Party will start at noon, April 4th at Depot Park.
Taylor encourages everyone to make a sign expressing their feelings, and to bring a chair and a tea bag.
"There are people that are fearful for our country right now, and they're feeling isolated, and the whole idea for all the tea parties, is to show people the silent majority out there that really don't have a voice," said Taylor.
There will also be a scroll for everyone to sign that organizers plan to send to politicians.
For more details, click here to visit Taylor's information page.
