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[[Image:Headnew.jpg|right|380px|thumb| Tax Day Tea Party]]

[[Image:Headnew.jpg|right|380px|thumb| Tax Day Tea Party]]

'''Tax Day Tea Parties''', the earliest manifestation of the '''[[Tea Party Movement]]''' (from an acronym for '''T'''axed '''E'''nough '''A'''lready), were a nationwide, locally organized multi-event that protested the [[generational theft]] of public [[tax]] dollars by the Federal Government on April 15, 2009. In the spirit of the founding fathers [[Boston Tea Party]], the local organizers, Top Conservatives on Twitter, and just ordinary citizens who use various social media sites, created a massive grassroots movement which held protests in all fifty states on April 15th 2009 and another scheduled for the July 4th [[Independence Day Tea Party]].

The '''Tax Day Tea Party''' occurred on April 15, 2009, as part of a series of nationally coordinated protests that developed into an ongoing [[Tea Party Movement]]. On April 15, 2009, thousands of Tax Day Tea Parties were held in cities across the [[United States]], with the name "Tea Party" as a reference to the [[Boston Tea Party]], and thus sought to evoke images, slogans, and themes from the [[American Revolution]].<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,509445,00.html Taxpayers Strike Back With 'Tea Parties']. ''[[Special Report with Bret Baier]]''. Published March 16, 2009.</ref><ref name="deseret">[http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705289328,00.html Anti-tax-and-spend group throws "tea party" at Capitol], March 6, 2009, [[Deseret News]]</ref> The acronym T.E.A. represents the phrase "Taxed Enough Already."<ref>{{cite news|publisher=''[[The Politico]]''|title=T.E.A. = Taxed Enough Already|author=Anne Schroeder Mullins|date=April 8, 2009|accessdate=June 17, 2009|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/anneschroeder/0409/TEA__Taxed_Enough_Already.html}}</ref> Volunteers promoted Tax Day events on [[blogs]], [[Twitter]] and [[Facebook]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/04/14/tea-party-protestors-gird-possible-backlash/ |title=Tea Party Protesters Gird for Possible Liberal Backlash - Presidential Politics &#124; Political News |publisher=FOXNews.com |date=2009-04-14 |accessdate=2009-04-19}}</ref>

On January 27, radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh criticized the [[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009]], commenting, "This 'porkulus' bill is designed to repair the Democratic Party's power losses from the 1990s forward, and to cement the party's majority power for decades."<ref>{{cite web|last=Limbaugh |first=Rush |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123318906638926749.html |title=Rush Limbaugh: My Bipartisan Stimulus - WSJ.com |publisher=Online.wsj.com |date=2009-01-29 |accessdate=2009-04-19}}</ref>

 

On February 10, a [[Cape Coral]] woman named Mary Rakovich led a small protest outside President Barack Obama's townhall meeting in [[Fort Myers, Florida]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news-press.com/article/20090211/OBAMA/90210068 |title=Those outside Harborside in Fort Myers had plenty to see, say |publisher=The News-Press|date=2009-02-11 |accessdate=2009-04-26}}</ref> Then in late March of 2009, faced with the prospect of heavy fines from the city for not having the proper permitting or insurance, Mary Rakovich moved forward with future protests but with the backing of national organization ''[[Freedom Works]]''. Rakovich said ''Freedom Works'' will provide the insurance per the city's rules.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com/page/content.detail/id/504707.html?nav=5011 |title=Tea party finds new life, broadens cause |publisher=cape-coral-daily-breeze.com|date=2009-03-31 |accessdate=2009-03-31}}</ref>

 

The first anti-spending protest, organized by Liberty Belle, occurred in [[Seattle, Washington]] on February 16, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|author=Derek Erwin|url=http://derekerwin.blogspot.com/2009/04/dozen-ring-liberty-belles-sound-800.html |title=A 'Dozen' Ring Liberty Belle's Sound, 800 Cities Ring-Back |date=2009-02-16 |accessdate=2009-04-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Michelle Malkin |first=Glenn Reynolds |url=http://www.pjtv.com/video/Pajamas_TV/Tea_Party_Protests%3A_Mesa%2C_Seattle%2C_Denver_%28Michelle_Malkin_and_Glenn_Reynolds%29/1406/|title=Tea Party Protests: Mesa, Seattle, Denver  |publisher=PJTV|date=2009-02-16 |accessdate=2009-02-16}}</ref> Another protest was held the following day, held in [[Denver]] on February 17,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thedenverchannel.com/politics/18732002/detail.html |title=President Signs Massive Stimulus In Denver |date=2009-03-17 |accessdate=2009-04-02}}</ref> and a protest in [[Mesa, Arizona]] on February 18 brought 500 protesters.<ref>{{cite web|author=Gary Grado, Sonu Munshi, Hayley Ringle|url=http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/135640/ |title=More than 500 protest Obama's arrival |date=2009-02-18 |accessdate=2009-04-02}}</ref>

 

===Shout Heard 'Round the World===

The Tea Party Movement gained support when on February 19, on live [[Television|TV]], [[CNBC]] reporter [[Rick Santelli]] argued about the bailouts and shouted, "The government is promoting bad behavior."<ref>[http://freedomeden.blogspot.com/2009/02/rick-santelli-tea-party.html Transcript of Rick Santelli's speech], February 19, 2009</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Santelli |first=Rick |url=http://www.cnbc.com/id/29283701|title=Rick Santelli's Shout Heard 'Round the World |publisher=CNBC|date=2009-02-19 |accessdate=2009-02-22}}</ref> Standing in the middle of the [[Chicago Stock Exchange]], Santelli declared that America needed "a new kind of tea party," so that citizens can express their discontent with "the government's support of fiscal irresponsibility".<ref>{{cite web|last=Rubin |first=Jennifer |url=http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/mr-president-turn-back-while-theres-still-time/|title=Mr. President: Turn Back While There’s Still Time |publisher=Pajamas Media|date=2009-02-19 |accessdate=2009-02-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Drudge |first=Matt |url=http://www.streetinsider.com/Insiders+Blog/Rick+Santelli+-+The+Rant+Heard+Round+the+World/4419854.html|title=Rick Santelli - The Rant Heard 'Round the World' |publisher=streetinsider.com|date=2009-02-19 |accessdate=2009-02-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Roesgen |first=Andy |url=http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/TeaParty|title=Protestors Gather for Self-Styled Tea Party |publisher=myfoxchicago.com|date=2009-02-27 |accessdate=2009-02-27}}</ref> With the help of ''[[DontGo]]'', ''[[Top Conservatives on Twitter]]'' (TCOT), ''[[Smart Girl Politics]]'' (SGP), ''The American Spectator'', ''Americans for Tax Reform'', ''Freedom Works'', and ''The Heartland Institute'', the Chicago Tea Parties were scheduled to happen nationwide on February 27, 2009.<ref>[http://www.dontgomovement.com/blog/2009/02/23/the-chicago-tea-party-is-on/ The Chicago Tea Party is on!], February 23, 2009</ref>

The largest Tea Party held to date was the Dallas Tea Party, held July 4, 2009 at Southfork Ranch in Plano, Texas, which drew 37,000 attendees.<ref>[http://dallasteaparty.org/2009/07/americas-tea-party-official-press-release/ America's Tea Party Official Press Release, July 6, 2009.]</ref>

Americans across the country gathered in 50 cities to protest the newly-passed Stimulus Bill of 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tcotreport.com/Talking_Points.htm|title=Talking Points and Theme for the Nationwide Chicago Tea Party |publisher=TCOTReport.com|date=2009-02-24 |accessdate=2009-02-24}}</ref> Over 30,000 people made it to this event.<ref>{{cite web|last=Christoph |first=Teri |url=http://smartgirlpolitics.ning.com/video/video/show?id=2488056%3AVideo%3A24070&|title=SGP.TeaParty |publisher=Smart Girl Politics|date=2009-02-27 |accessdate=2009-03-03}}</ref> Many at the event were upset over the economic stimulus packages and bailouts for [[Wall Street]] pushed through by both [[George W. Bush|President Bush]] and President Obama's administrations.<ref>[http://www.raleigh3.com/default.asp?sdetail=1849&sc=2724 Raleigh Holds 'Tea Party' To Protest Government], ''Raleigh Telegram'', March 25, 2009</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Roesgen |first=Andy |url=http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/TeaParty|title=Protestors Gather for Self-Styled Tea Party |publisher=myfoxchicago.com|date=2009-02-27 |accessdate=2009-02-27}}</ref>

==Founding==

 

One of their website states:

''"The Tea Party protests, in their current form, began in early 2009 when [[Rick Santelli]], the On Air Editor for CNBC, set out on a rant to expose the bankrupt liberal agenda of the [[White House]] Administration and [[Congress]]. Specifically, the flawed “Stimulus Bill” and pork filled budget."''

! Location !! Sponsors<ref>[http://www.pjtv.com/?cmd=page&page-id=68 Schedule of American Tea party Protests (with Sponsors)], February 27, 2009</ref> !! Details

| [[Atlanta, Georgia]] || TCOT, SGP, Don'tGo || A reported 300 to 400 protesters gathered outside the Georgia Capitol in protest of a $787 billion recovery bill.<ref name="georgia">{{cite web|url=http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2009/02/27/budget-debate-launches-new-tea-party/ |title=Budget debate launches new tea party |date=2009-02-27 |accessdate=2009-02-27}}</ref><ref>[http://pajamasmedia.com/instapundit/71521/ Tea Party from Atlanta], February 17, 2009</ref>

|-

| [[Chicago, Illinois]] || Don'tGo<ref>[http://www.dontgomovement.com/blog/2009/02/19/chicago-tea-party/ Don'tGo Movement: Pledge to Have a Representation at Chicago Tea Party], February 19, 2009</ref> || Approximately 300 people braved the 25 degree cold and wind in Chicago.<ref name="illinios">{{cite web|url=http://www.foundingbloggers.com/wordpress/2009/02/breaking-chicago-tea-party-pictures/ |title=BREAKING - Chicago Tea Party (Pictures) UPDATED Now With Video! |accessdate=2009-02-27}}</ref><ref>[http://www.dontgomovement.com/blog/2009/02/27/the-birth-of-a-new-revolution/ The Birth of a New Revolution], February 27, 2009</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Roesgen |first=Andy |url=http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/TeaParty|title=Protestors Gather for Self-Styled Tea Party |publisher=myfoxchicago.com|date=2009-02-27 |accessdate=2009-02-27}}</ref>

| [[Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas]] || Americans for Prosperity,<ref>[http://www.redcounty.com/texas/2009/02/the-tea-parties-were-successfu/ The Tea Parties were successful - here's the proof], February 23, 2009</ref> TCOT, SGP, Don'tGo, Dallas County Young Republicans || A "Texas-sized Tea Party" of 300 or more Texans met in Fort Worth, protesting big government and taxes.<ref name="fortworth">{{cite web|url=http://txtcot.ning.com/video/tea-party-09-made-the-world |title=Tea Party '09 made the world news |date=2009-02-27 |accessdate=2009-03-19}}</ref> One sponsor, TCOT, collected over 800 signatures during the event.<ref>[http://txtcot.ning.com/profiles/blogs/tea-party-09 Tea Party '09], February 28, 2009</ref>

| [[Denver, Colorado]] || TCOT, SGP, Don'tGo || At the East Capitol Steps, 100 "[[Atlas Shrugged]]" fans braved cold temperatures for a "Nationwide Chicago Tea Party" to protest the Obama Administration's bailout plan.<ref name="dcolorado1">[http://coloradoindependent.com/23026/ayn-rand-stars-at-denver-stimulus-tea-party-protest Ayn Rand stars at Denver stimulus ‘tea party’ protest], February 28, 2009, [[Colorado Independent]]</ref><ref name="dcolorado2">[http://colorado.newsplatoon.com/2009/02/24/denver-tea-party/ Denver Tea Party], February 24, 2009, [[colorado]]</ref>

| [[Washington, D.C.]] || Americans for Prosperity, Americans for Tax Reform, Young Conservatives Coalition, The Heartland Institute || The American Tea Party made some noise outside the White House.<ref name="dc_examiner">[http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/New-American-Tea-Party-40442172.html DC Tea Party thrown at the White House], [[The Washington Examiner|Washington Examiner]] February 27, 2009</ref><ref>[http://www.freedomworks.org/petition/iamwithrick/index.html 2009 Taxpayer Tea party], February 28, 2009</ref> Several hundred taxpayers showed up at the DC Tea Party protest in Lafayette Park,<ref name="michellemalkin">[http://michellemalkin.com/2009/02/27/scenes-from-the-tea-party/ Scenes from the D.C. Tea Party], February 27, 2009, [[Michelle Malkin]]</ref><ref name="dcfreedomworks">[http://www.freedomworks.org/blog/bstein80/video-from-the-dc-tea-party Video from the DC Tea Party], February 28, 2009, [[Freedom Works]]</ref> including "[[Joe the Plumber]]".<ref name="hotair">[http://hotair.com/archives/2009/02/27/joe-the-plumber-at-dc-tea-party-no-one-on-the-hill-gives-a-rip-about-you/ Joe the Plumber at D.C. Tea Party: No one on the Hill gives a rip about you], February 27, 2009, [[Hot Air]]</ref>

 

Success from the Chicago Tea Parties on February 27, as part of a concerted nationwide effort, led to the [[Tax Day]] Tea Party rallies held on April 15, 2009. Following the Chicago Tea Party protests, a group called ''Americans for Prosperity'' of [[North Carolina]] began implementing plans for a "Tax Day" Tea Party rally in Raleigh on the tax filing deadline.<ref>[http://www.raleigh3.com/default.asp?sdetail=1849&sc=2724 Raleigh Holds 'Tea Party' To Protest Government], ''Raleigh Telegram'', March 25, 2009</ref> Leading up to the Tax Day Tea Parties, the events were organized and promoted by volunteers, activists, and [[Political action committee]]s across the [[United States]].<ref>http://www.freedomworks.org/press-releases/freedomworks-co-sponsoring-taxpayer-tea-parties-ac</ref> By taking advantage of online viral [[marketing]] to get the word out,<ref name="investorsnews">[http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=470054&Ntt=tea+party 'Tea Party' Protests In 35 Cities], March 2, 2009</ref> the speed and scope with which the Tax Day Tea Party protests were organized can be attributed to the use of [[Twitter]] [[Micro-blogging|tweet]] feeds,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tcotreport.com/ |title=#TCOT Report |publisher=Top Conservatives on Twitter (#TCOT) |date= |accessdate=2009-04-15}}</ref> on [[blogs]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Ambinder |first=Marc |url=http://politics.theatlantic.com/2009/02/tea_parties_pajamas_and_mediaevent_symbiotics.php |title=Tea Parties, Pajamas, and Media/Event Symbiotics |publisher=The Atlantic |date=2009-02-25 |accessdate=2009-02-25}}</ref> and the [[social networking]] [[website]] [[Facebook]].<ref name="facebook">[http://michellemalkin.com/2009/03/04/going-galt-and-the-next-tea-party-wave/ “Going Galt” and the next Tea Party wave], March 4, 2009, [[Michelle Malkin]]</ref>

 

President Obama is seen to have responded to the tea parties with requested budget cuts of $100 million on April 20, 2009.<ref name="rushlimbaugh">[http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_042109/content/01125107.guest.html Obama Responded to Tea Parties with $100 Million in "Budget Cuts"], April 21, 2009, [[Rush Limbaugh]]</ref> Rush Limbaugh contended, "I'm sure they've got internal polling data that shows these tea parties are successful and these tea parties are a problem. So they're responding to the tea parties here. That's all this is." According to a [[Rasmussen Reports]] national telephone survey on April 20, 2009, the poll found that fifty-one percent (51%) of Americans had a favorable view of the tea parties held nationwide, including 32% who said their view of the events were "Very favorable." Thirty-three percent (33%) held an unfavorable opinion of the tea parties. Fifteen percent (15%) were not sure.<ref name="rasmussenreports">[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics2/51_view_tea_parties_favorably_political_class_strongly_disagrees 51% View Tea Parties Favorably, Political Class Strongly Disagrees], April 20, 2009, [[Rasmussen Reports]]</ref>

==Mainstream Media==

==Mainstream Media==

In a related form of protest, a group calling itself "Tea Party Nation" is planning a general strike of [[conservative]] individuals, to take place July 30, 2009. They make specific reference to [[John Galt]], the chief [[Literary type#Anti-villain|anti-villain]] of [[Ayn Rand]]'s [[novel]], ''[[Atlas Shrugged]].''<ref name=tpn>[http://teapartynation.com/ Tea Party Nation] official site.</ref><ref name=welshman>Martin AG, "Conservatives to 'Go Galt' on July 30; Protest Intensifies," ''Columbia Conservative Examiner'', June 30, 2009. <http://www.examiner.com/x-3704-Columbia-Conservative-Examiner~y2009m6d30-Conservatives-to-go-Galt-on-July-30-protest-infensifies></ref>

In a related form of protest, a group calling itself "Tea Party Nation" is planning a general strike of [[conservative]] individuals, to take place July 30, 2009. They make specific reference to [[John Galt]], the chief [[Literary type#Anti-villain|anti-villain]] of [[Ayn Rand]]'s [[novel]], ''[[Atlas Shrugged]].''<ref name=tpn>[http://teapartynation.com/ Tea Party Nation] official site.</ref><ref name=welshman>Martin AG, "Conservatives to 'Go Galt' on July 30; Protest Intensifies," ''Columbia Conservative Examiner'', June 30, 2009. <http://www.examiner.com/x-3704-Columbia-Conservative-Examiner~y2009m6d30-Conservatives-to-go-Galt-on-July-30-protest-infensifies></ref>

==External Links==

==External Links==