TEA Party draws patriotic throng to Bay Area gathering on 4th

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Story Published: Jul 6, 2009 at 6:55 PM PDT

By Tim Novotny

COOS BAY, ORE - On a day known for it's barbecues and fireworks, men, women and children also took time on the 4th of July to exercise their Constitutional rights by gathering to protest government spending and taxes.

South Coast TEA Party gatherings were scheduled for Downtown Coos Bay, Bandon, Gold Beach and Port Orford.

TEA stands for Taxed Enough Already and organizers had called for a rally in support of responsible government.

While those we spoke to in the crowd may have had differing opinions on some of the topics discussed at the rally, Patriotism certainly played a role for most in attendance.

Joe Bliss is from Dallas, Texas and was visiting the area when he found out about the gathering, "they said come down here and support the U.S. and the Flag, so we are. My father was a patriot and so am I."

Ric Dowling, with child on his shoulders and Mother-in-Law nearby, is from Bandon and was attending his first rally. "I've never been out to something like this before and I just thought it was time to get out here with a group of people that have similar feelings."

Local rally Organizer Rob Taylor agrees, noting that the 4th of July was the perfect time for folks to invoke their right to assemble. "Especially Independence Day, when our Founding Fathers' decreed not only their lands,(but) their wealth and their life to give up the monarchy to become an independent nation, we should absolutely celebrate the right to come out here and the freedom of assembly."

Protesters say they are upset with President Obama's stimulus plan, which they say is racking up a huge national debt, while also calling his national health initiative "socialism."

Rallies were expected to take place in some 1,500 cities around the country on the 4th.

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