LAKEPORT — A second annual nationwide Tax Day protest organized by the Tea Party took place on Thursday throughout the country, including cities like San Francisco, Sacramento, and Washington D.C.
In Lakeport, the Lake County Tea Party Patriots assembled a protest in front of the old courthouse on Main Street on Thursday. Approximately 85 people attended the event.
Susie Kaplar, Lakeport Tea Party Organizer, said she is “Frustrated with out-of-control spending by the politicians and their lack of representation.”
Protestors waved the American flag, while others waved a “Don”t Tread On Me” flag. Protestors waved signs reading: “No More: Spending, Taxes, Incumbents. Vote Them Out.” “Congress Should Represent, Not Rule. Process Matters.” “Seniors Don”t Forget.” “Less Taxes = Less Government = More Jobs” “Stop Spending” “NOBAMA Health Care” “No New Taxes or ?Fees”” “Castro Says: Good Job Mike (Thompson)” “Be Americans, Not Sheep, Vote Congress Out”
The Lake County Tea Party Patriots” principles, Kaplar said, are for small government, fiscal responsibility, following the Constitution, and education about rights.
“It looks like my party has lost it”s way,” Larry Lyons, a registered Democrat said. He also said he”s “Upset with the way our representatives are running our country.”
A non-scientific poll administered during the protest, polling 50 attendees, found that 80 percent of the protestors were conservative, while 8 percent labeled themselves Libertarian, 8 percent moderate, and 4 percent liberal.
The poll also found 74 percent of protestors to be older than the age of 50, 22 percent age 30 to 50, 2 percent age 18 to 29, and 2 percent younger than 18. Fifty-two percent of attendees earned an income of $20,000 to 50,000 per year, 40 percent earned an income of more than $50,000 and 8 percent earned less than $20,000. Fifty-six percent of the attendees have previously been affiliated with the Tea Party movement, while 44 percent of the protestors attended a Tea Party rally for the first time.
“Several people I know are members interested to see who or what will be here and what they are doing,” Lee Cook said.
Gary Lewis, Lake County District 3 Supervisor candidate, gave a speech in support of the Tea Party Patriots during the rally.
Loren Hanks, U.S. Representative candidate under the Republican party, also gave a speech in support of the Tea Party Patriots during the rally.
A number of drivers honked in support while passing the rally. One passenger from a white van yelled “To hell with the Tea Party.”
The protest on Thursday was a peaceful assembly.
Richard Dasher is journalism student attending Mendocino College. He can be reached rdasherjr@live.com.
