Naples 9-12 Tea Party
September 12, 2009 By Save America
Thousands of protesters from all over the Southwest Florida area assembled today on the corner of Pine Ridge Road and US41. Headed northbound after crossing over Pine Ridge, hundreds of patriots lined the edge of both sides of the street waving flags, carrying signs and waving to the passing cars honking their horns in support.
This event was a continuation of the summer protests at town hall meetings, where opposition to the president’s health care plan boiled over. These attendees were not “radical right-wingers”, yet citizens sending a message to Washington hoping the Senate and Congress would recognize people are afraid of what’s taking place in our country.
The hand written messages on their signs told the story of an intense distrust with our government and the words extended well beyond healthcare reform. Some signs declared “Congress, are you stupid or what?”, yet another, “Please wake up and Save America”. Others said, “Our Constitution has termites”, “We are under attack by our own government”.
Many protesters said they oppose the bank bailouts last year, the outstanding legislation to take over the internet, Climate Change bill and many of the other pieces of legislation chipping away at our freedoms and liberties.
In speaking to a few of the fine patriots standing in the rain, each wanted to express the reason they felt compelled to be a part of expressing themselves on this day. Some of the comments made why they were there:
- Because life without liberty isn’t life but mere existence
- Because this could be one of the last free assemblies they could attend
- Because there’s power in numbers to send this message
- Because we need to get back to what our founding fathers intended for this country
- Because they wanted to defend the Constitution
- Because men and women have suffered and died for our rights to speak the truth and to have this freedom
- Because everyone deserves the right to live the American dream
- Because they don’t want their children and grandchildren to be slaves to a tyrant government
- Because they don’t want themselves or their parents health decided by a Washington politician
- Because they’re sick of Obama’s Acorn, SEIU, and extended corruption
- Because they don’t want to serve or have their children serve in Obama’s civilian army
- Because they love their country and want to celebrate it’s true greatness
- Because they wanted to say no to an ever-expanding intrusion of government
Tea Parties started last April in opposition to President Obama’s policies and today’s rally comes just a few months after people began to declare Obama’s honeymoon period over. Just last week Obama’s speech to children caused immense controversy and many American’s said, “No”! No more was one of the mantra’s today.
Last Friday, White House officials said they had no knowledge of the planned demonstrations across this great land and Gibb’s even went on to say he didn’t know who the group was.
Do you think this is the reason why they’re so out of touch with America?
Get ready for April 15, 2010!
Barry-
I am with the SWFL 912 and was also there in that grassy area. I have a friend who lives in D.C. who has never paid attention to anything Political or Govt Issues. She’s like I was prior to the 2008 election. She was with me on 9/12 to support me in my need to be a part of the Awakening of Americas Hardworking, Decent, Tax-paying,Law abiding Protectors of our Constitution and the Rights and Liberty of ALL of Our People. Saturday 9/12 reinforced that FREEDOM truly is in the DNA of AMERICANS. You know how great it is to say you Marched down the middle of Pennsylvania Ave where on Jan 20th the Pres. was walking the other direction. I will never forget walking past the building with the inscription of the First Ammendment of the Constitution and chanting with the crowd READ THAT WALL, READ THAT WALL. While at Freedom Plaza we dropped one of our cameras and this young woman with a russian accent came up to us to see if our camera had survived the fall. We continued with a conversation. She is from the UKRAINE and she said she witnessed at these town halls Obama supporters being coached in what to say and what to shout just as she had witnessed in the Soviet Union. I told her that her insight was one that we welcomed and are thrilled that she is a very important part of our movement. I told a Vietnam Vet that I liked his sign. I thanked him for protecting our Country. He preceded to say how many of his buddies were killed in the war and that he doesnt know why or how he survived that War. I told him it was because he was suppose to be in Washington on this day 9/12 to continue his fight to keep America Free and Honor his buddies who had given the ultimate sacrifice. 9/12 was a day to be very proud of at so many levels. The fact that we were not properly reported on was a let down, no doubt. BUT it only makes us more invested in proving we are a force to be reckoned with. That we will forever be paying attention to Everything that is voted on in Congress and hold all politicians feet to the fire. If they will not honor and protect our Constitution we will find someone who will. We will find those who will work with us to stop corruption everywhere it exists. We will Save our Country.
Thank You to All of you who have helped those like myself be a part of doing what’s right.
May we continue to Peacefully Assemble and have our Voices Heard. You ALL ARE GREAT AMERICANS !!!!
To all Tea Party Patriots…………Where to begin?
My weekend started on Friday, as my son and I flew to Washington with a few others from Naples in order to attend the national Tea Party. When we arrived, it was raining and cold…………not unlike what it was doing in Naples when we left, except it was raining and warm. Things were not looking good weather wise for both Tea Parties.
That evening, the rain had quit and the forecast was for a chance of rain on Saturday in Washington. Then the Weather Channel showed a radar image of the Gulf. The only thing missing was some circulation and I thought to myself, “there is no way the Naples Tea Party will be held.” So, I went to bed and recited a prayer with the knowledge there are some things we can’t control, including the weather.
Saturday morning was overcast and cool in Washington. Our day started early, as we were to assemble at Freedom Square at 8:00. When we arrived, the square was already half full and Rachel hoisted our Florida sign in order to attract the Florida delegation. Within an hour, there were so many people from Florida, we had to move down on Pennsylvania Ave. because the square was so jammed full of people.
It was announced Florida would be second in line for the parade based on the number of registrations, so the Florida delegation moved its way towards the front of the parade lineup, right behind Georgia. Rachel led the way, and looking behind, I could not see the end of the Florida marchers. There were thousands. People were pouring into the area from every side street and we heard Pennsylvania Ave. was beginning to back up towards the White House and beyond.
I was able to place a phone call to Naples during this time. The report was not good, with heavy rain and lightening. My heart sunk and I thought of all the hard work and the efforts of everyone promoting and preparing for the 9-12 Naples Tea Party. My group was instructed to drive to the site and prepare to tell people the event was going to be cancelled.
Finally, after waiting for almost three hours, the parade started up Pennsylvania Avenue towards the Capitol building. The street was lined with people and there was no end to the marchers from my vantage point. I’ve been to a few NFL football games and have experienced large crowds, but this was indescribable. The “USA….USA…USA” chants echoing between the buildings was unbelievable. Then it would shift to “can you hear us now……can you hear us now…..can you hear us now?”
Upon our arrival at the Capitol, we were led into an enclosed grassy area below the steps of the building. There we heard fabulous designated speakers that we could not see. They were too far away. The crowd started to swell all around the west side of the Capitol and stretched down towards the Washington Monument. We could not see the end of the people still marching down Pennsylvania Avenue.
Cell phone towers must have been jammed, but I was finally able to contact Naples again. Fully expecting to hear everyone had gone home, I can’t tell you of my excitement when I heard the rain had let up and people were showing up by the thousands to attend the Naples Tea Party. At that point, I let out a big yell and hugged the person next to me.
When we talked to a Capitol Policeman, he said this was one of the largest demonstrations he had ever seen in his 10-years on the job. For example, the prime enclosed grass area we were in held 40,000 people. New people could only get into that area when others would leave. There was no end in sight of the line of people trying to get into that area. All I can say is the crowd was enormous, despite the reports we were hearing that described “tens of thousands.” We left around 3:00 so others could have the chance of witnessing the event from the best viewing area.
Needless to say, I was greatly disappointed with the news coverage when we finally made it back to our hotel. FOX News was the only media outlet reporting the event. The top story on CNN was the president’s visit in Minneapolis to deliver a campaign speech on health care to 15,000 people. That’s OK. Let the media and this administration continue to ignore the grassroots Tea Party movement. It is continuing to grow and with each derogatory comment and lack of recognition, 2010 will be the year they might finally get it.
I want to thank each and every one of you for all the work you did in making the 9-12 Naples Tea Party a success. I see the Naples Daily News listed it as a anti-Obama protest in their headline and focused in on the lighthearted passing comment Jackie made regarding a “revolution.” For the record, Jackie gave several other reasons for the Tea Party that were not mentioned. How many are ready for a Tea Party in front of the new Naples Daily News building on Immokalee Road? In fact, I think we should start focusing on the media a little more, along with the federal government. What do you think?
We will not let up. Too much is at stake. We will keep you informed of upcoming events and meetings from all the groups. Continue with the letter writing and phone calls to Congress and our state representatives.
Thanks for your continued support of the Naples Tea Party movement.
Barry Willoughby
498-8787