Tax Day party count nearing 2,000 U.S. cities
Mainstream media may run, but they can’t hide from protest tidal wave
By Chelsea Schilling
While WND has been tracking 400 individual tea parties across the nation, the American Family Association has announced its count is nearing 1,600 – for Tax Day alone.
The AFA, planned to coordinate 1,000 Taxed Enough Already, or TEA, parties to be held at 12 p.m. on April 15 in front of city halls across the nation.
But the group is pleasantly surprised as is stands to double that goal before Tax Day is here.
“Our goal was to have a TEA party in 1,500 cities. We are nearly 100 cities above our goal and still growing,” said Donald E. Wildmon, AFA chairman.
The AFA sponsored TEA parties are in addition to hundreds of parties planned by other groups. Taxpayers are also organizing tea parties for Independence Day and various Saturdays so people with conflicting work schedules may attend.
Meanwhile, a Google Maps list shows several locations of citizen tea parties – so many that the United States is nearly hidden behind a sea of blue markers.
Wildmon said the protests are essential because the government’s reckless spending is burdening America with insurmountable debt.
“The runaway spending by President Obama and Congress will have a definite negative effect on our families,” he said. “We are leaving a debt of trillions of dollars to be paid by our grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”
The organization launched a Tea Party Day website so volunteer organizers may register their protests with AFA. The website also provides a list of other protests across the nation that are not organized by AFA.
Michael DePrimo, special counsel to AFA President Tim Wildmon, told WND that AFA has been inundated with e-mails from citizens who want to attend or organize tea parties in their own cities.
“We’re trying to get people to attend these and we’re also encouraging others if there is no tea party in their community to start their own,” he said. “All we’re trying to do is really generate activity to try to try to get people to attend these rallies to really send a message to Washington.”
The group encourages tea party attendees to bring a cell phone and call the president, 202-456-1414, and Congress, 202-224-3121, while attending the rallies.
While many mainstream media outlets have provided little to no coverage of the nation’s numerous tea parties so far, DePrimo said the growing movement is proof that Americans no longer need them to launch a widespread revolution.
“I think the media does whatever the media choose to do,” he said. “We’re all aware that the media have a liberal bias. I suppose if it’s big enough, they will report on it. If they think it really may spur some change in Washington that the media elites don’t want, they may ignore the story altogether.”
De Primo continued, “The good news is that with the Internet, Facebook, texting and with all the ways we can communicate today, we don’t necessarily need the mainstream media anymore. The message can get out without them.”
WND has also launched its own tea party forum so citizens may exchange ideas, information and announcements about the “revolution.” After reviewing various website protest listings and e-mails from many readers, WND found 400 tea parties scheduled for upcoming months and compiled one of the most complete lists on the Internet. Here are some scheduled tea parties:
Alabama
Auburn University – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Samford Lawn
Birmingham – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Veteran Park on Highway 17 Valledale Road
Huntsville – Wednesday, April 15, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., vacant lot (lot k) across the street from Clinton Avenue post office
Decatur – Saturday, March 28, at the Rhodes Ferry Park, (also known as River Park)
Mobile – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the USS Alabama battleship
Montgomery – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Alabama Statehouse located at 11 South Union Street
Springdale – Wednesday, April 15, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in downtown Springdale, exact location to be determined
Trussville – Wednesday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., location to be announced
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the quad, 1000 University Blvd.
Alaska
Anchorage – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., federal building in Anchorage
Wasilla – Wednesday, April 15, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Wasilla Lake
Arizona
Bullhead City – Wednesday, April 15, at 6 p.m., location to be announced
Lake Havasu City – Wednesday, April 15, at 5:30 p.m., London Bridge
Phoenix – Wednesday, April 15, at 6 p.m. at capitol building
Prescott – Wednesday, April 15, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Courthouse Square
Tucson – Wednesday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of Joel D. Valdez Main Library on 101 N. Stone Ave.
Arkansas
El Dorado – Wednesday, April 15, time and location to be announced
Fayetteville – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Fayetteville Square
Little Rock – Wednesday, April 15, at 3 p.m., Arkansas state capitol
Monticello – Wednesday, April 15, time to be announced, at Monticello Town Square
Mountain Home – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Town Square
Paragould – Wednesday, April 15, time and location to be announced
Rogers – Wednesday, April 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., downtown Rogers, Frisco Stage
Springdale – Wednesday, April 15, time and location to be announced
California
Atascadero – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Sunken Gardens on El Camino Real
Bakersfield – Wednesday, April 15, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., courthouse at the Liberty Bell
Chico – Wednesday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., city plaza in downtown Chico
Citrus Heights – Wednesday, April 15, from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., intersection at Greenback Lane and Sunset Boulevard
El Cajon – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Post Office, 401 Lexington Ave.
Escondido – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., 403 N. Escondido Blvd.
Eureka – Wednesday, April 15, at 12 p.m., county courthouse, 5th and I Street
Fresno – Wednesday, April 15, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., SaveMart Center at Fresno State University, at Shaw and Highway 168
Glendale – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., 613 East Broadway
Hollister – Wednesday, April 15, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., corner of San Benito and 4th St.
Los Angeles – Saturday, July 4, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Santa Monica Pier
Los Angeles – Wednesday, April 15, at 1 p.m. at Santa Monica Pier, 101 Colorado Ave.
Los Angeles South Bay - Redondo/Manhattan Beach – Wednesday, April 15, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Marine Field followed by a march to Jane Harman’s office on Rosecrans and Continental
Merced – Wednesday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at University of California, Merced in the academic quad
Modesto – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 1010 10th Street
Napa – Wednesday, April 15, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Mike Thompson’s Napa District office, 1040 Main Street
Norco/Eastvale – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Limonite/15 and Sixth St./15
Oceanside – Wednesday, April 15, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Oceanside City Hall, 300 N. Coast Highway
Orange County - Santa Ana – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Plaza of the Flags, Santa Ana Civic Center - behind the Superior Court building bounded by Flower Street, Santa Ana Boulevard and Civic Center Drive
Pasadena – Saturday, April 11, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 100 N. Garfield Ave.
Rancho Cucamonga – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., 12300 Foothill Blvd.
Redding – Wednesday, April 15, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay
Redlands – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., intersection of Redlands Boulevard and Orange Street, downtown
Sacramento – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at state capitol building on L Street
San Bernadino – Wednesday, April 15, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. from Meadowbrook Park to Joe Baca’s Office, 201 N. “E” St.
San Diego – Saturday, April 11, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., West Basin on N. Harbor Dr. across street from airport, Spanish Landing Park
San Diego – Wednesday, April 15, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. post office at Sports Arena Midway, 2535 Midway
San Diego - North County – Wednesday, April 15, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. post office at 11251 Rancho Carmel Dr.
San Fernando/Santa Clarita Valley – Wednesday, April 15, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Van Nuys Civic Center Plaza - 6200 Van Nuys Blvd. near the courthouse
San Francisco – April 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Civic Center Park, one block from Nancy Pelosi’s office at 450 Golden Gate Ave.
San Francisco – April 15 at 11 a.m., meet at Civic Center Park in front of city hall. March will start at San Francisco City Hall and go to federal building where Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s office is located..
San Jose – Wednesday, April 15, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at IRS offices at 55 S. Market Street, across the street from Saint Joseph’s Cathedral
San Mateo – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at corner of South El Camino Real and 31st Street in front of Hillsdale Shopping Center
Santa Ana – Wednesday, April 15, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., tentative location at Santa Ana Civic Center
Santa Barbara – Saturday, April 4 at 2:30 p.m., meeting at Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Santa Monica – Wednesday, April 15, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Santa Monica Pier, 100 Colorado Ave.
Santa Rosa – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa Ave, between 3rd and 4th Street
Stockton – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Weber point, downtown Stockton, Center Street
Temecula – Wednesday, April 15, 11 a.m., Duck Pond
Ventura – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., sidewalks adjacent to Ventura County Government Center
Victorville – Wednesday, April 15, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., corner of Bear Valley Rd. and Cottonwood Ave.
Yucaipa – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Yucaipa Boulevard and Oak Glen Road
Connecticut
Hartford – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., north steps of state capitol
New Haven – Wednesday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Long Wharf, I-95, Exit 46
Norwich – Wednesday, April 15, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Marina Area near gazebo
Ridgefield – Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m. at Ballard Park
Stamford – Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. at 96 Broad Street (Starbucks/library location), corner of Broad and Bedford
Colorado
Colorado Springs – Wednesday, April 15 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at city hall, 107 North Nevada
Denver – Wednesday, April 15 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the west steps of the capitol, 200 East Colfax
Grand Junction – Wednesday, April 15 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 12th Street and North Avenue
Fort Collins – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Fort Collins City Hall, 300 Laporte Ave.
Loveland – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Hwy 287 and Hwy 34
Delaware
Dover – Wednesday, April 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., location to be announced
Georgetown – Wednesday, April 15 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., circle in Georgetown
Laurel – Wednesday, April 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., location to be announced
Florida
Crestview – Wednesday, April 15 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Main Street in front of courthouse
DeLand / Daytona Beach – Wednesday, April 15 at 12 p.m., city hall
Eustis – Wednesday, April 15 at 12 p.m., Ferran Park, downtown
Ft. Lauderdale – Wednesday, April 15 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., federal building, 299 East Broward Boulevard
Fort Meyers – Wednesday, April 15 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Centennial Park
Fort Walton Beach – Wednesday, April 15 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Fort Walton Beach Landing
Inverness – Saturday, April 18 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the old historical courthouse, One Courthouse Square
Jacksonville – Wednesday, April 15 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., either Jax Landing or Friendship Fountain
Lakeland – Wednesday, April 15 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Kryger Overlook Park (Lake Mirror), one block from city hall
Live Oak – Wednesday, April 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Millenium Park
Melbourne – Wednesday, April 15 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., city hall
Miami – Wednesday, April 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., location to be announced
Naples – Sunday, April 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Fleischmann’s Park across from Coastal Mall at the gazebo, seating available for elderly and disabled
Naples – Wednesday, April 15 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Pine Ridge Road and U.S. 41
New Port Richey – Wednesday, April 15 time and location to be announced
Ocala – Wednesday, April 15, 12 p.m., downtown at the square
Orlando – Saturday, March 21, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the amphitheater at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando
Orlando – Wednesday, April 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., location to be announced
Palm Beach – Wednesday, April 15 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., location to be announced
Panama City – Wednesday, April 15 from 3 p.m. to dark at Sherman Avenue Post Office
Pensacola – Wednesday, April 15 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at downtown courthouse, Palafox Street and E. Garden St.
Port Richey – Wednesday, April 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Gulfview Square Mall, at southwest corner of U.S. 19 & Embassy
Port Saint Lucie – Wednesday, April 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.at the IRS building at 7410 South U.S. Highway 1
Punta Gorda – Wednesday, April 15 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Gilchrist Park, 400 W. Retta Esplande
Saint Augustine – Wednesday, April 15 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., Historic downtown, at Castillo De San Marco’s Park grounds on the Bayfront
Sarasota – Wednesday, April 15 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Ed’s Tavern Main Street Lakewood Ranch
Stuart – Wednesday, April 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.,main post office, Johnson Street
Tampa – Wednesday, April 15 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Gaslight Park, downtown Tampa
West Palm Beach – Wednesday, April 15 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., location to be announced
Tallahassee – Thursday, March 17, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., 400 South Monroe
Tallahassee – Thursday, March 19, at 5 p.m. at the Leon County Commission Chambers, 5th floor, Courthouse
Venice – Wednesday, April 15 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Gazebo-Centennial Park on West Venice Avenue
Vero Beach – Wednesday, April 15 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., county administration building
Georgia
Atlanta – Wednesday, April 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.at the capitol building located at 206 Washington St.
Atlanta – Saturday, July 4, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the capitol building located at 206 Washington St.
Augusta – Wednesday, April 15, time and location to be announced
Leesburg / Greater Lee County – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Lee County Courthouse
Macon – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Rosa Parks Park, downtown
Gainesville – Wednesday, April 15, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., downtown Gainesville
Richmond Hill – Wednesday, April 15, from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at old Kroger parking lot at corner of Hwy 144 and Hwy 17
Savannah – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., location to be announced
Warner Robbins – Wednesday, April 15, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., location to be announced
Hawaii
Hilo – Wednesday, April 15, at 4 p.m., at Hilo bayfront at King Kamehameha Statue
Honolulu – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the state capitol building
Maui – Wednesday, April 15, from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Kaahumanu Avenue at intersection with Kahului Beach Rd.
Idaho
Boise – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., at the state capitol building
Burley – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Overland Bridge over the Snake River just off exit 208
Coeur d’Alene – Wednesday, April 15, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Walt Minnick’s office, 1900 Northwest Blvd.
Idaho Falls – Wednesday, April 15, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., downtown Idaho Falls
Rexburg – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Teton River bridge, by Jack in the Box and Albertson’s, 459 N. 2nd E
Illinois
Urbana – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., location to be determined
Champagne/Urbana – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. location to be announced
Chicago – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Daley Plaza Civic Center at 50 Washington St.
Chicago – From Saturday, July 4, at 7 p.m. to Sunday, July 5, at 5 a.m. at Belmont Harbor on Lake Shore Drive
Lisle – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. the community park
Peoria – Wednesday, April 15, from 11 p.m. to 2 p.m. at parking lot of Peoria Public Library
Rockford – Tuesday, April 14, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., on banks of the Rock River behind Rockford Public Library
Springfield – Wednesday, April 15, at 12 p.m., Illinois state capitol, 2nd and capitol
Indiana
Anderson – Wednesday, April 15, time and location to be announced
Bloomington – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. outside the Shower’s building, corner of W 8th St. & N. Morton St.
Columbus – Wednesday, April 15, time and location to be announced
Elkhart – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Elkhart City Square, Main Street, between High Street and Franklin Street, bounded by Waterfall Drive
Evansville – Wednesday, April 15, 5 p.m., Evansville Civic Center
Fort Wayne – Saturday, April 18 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. downtown at Courthouse Square on Main Street
Indianapolis – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Indianapolis, exact location to be announced
Lafayette – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., pedestrian bridge over the Wabash River downtown
Iowa
Bettendorf – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., 2023 Ridgeway Court
Davenport – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at 4th and Main Street (in front of office of Rep. Bruce Braley D-Iowa)
Des Moines – Saturday, April 11, at 2 p.m.,west lawn of state capitol building
Iowa City – Wednesday, April 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Burlington Street Bridge
Kansas
Manhattan – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Triangle Park on Anderson
Overland Park – Wednesday, April 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Johnston Community College
Salina – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Salina County building, 300 W. Ash
Wichita – Wednesday, April 15, from 4:15 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wichita post office on West Harry Street, north of airport, bring homemade sign
Kentucky
Bowling Green – Wednesday, April 15, time and location to be announced
Henderson – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., in front of city hall, 20 North Main Street
Louisville – Wednesday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jefferson Square (tentative location), 10th and Jefferson St.
Lexington – Saturday, March 21, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Robert Stevens Courthouse Complex, 150 North Limestone
Paducah – Wednesday, April 15, time to be announced, at riverfront
Louisiana
Alexandria – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. downtown ampitheater on the Red River
Baton Rouge – Wednesday, April 15, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the steps of the capitol building
Covington – Wednesday, April 15, 5 p.m. at the Trailhead by the Reagan statue
Lake Charles – Wednesday, April 15, at 5 p.m. at Lake Charles Civic Center on Lakeshore Drive
Mandeville – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 :30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Mandeville lakefront
New Orleans – Wednesday, April 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. near the giant American flag at the Veterans Memorial, intersection of Causeway Blvd. and Veterans Blvd.
Shreveport – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at downtown Shreveport Riverfront
Maine
Augusta – Wednesday, April 15, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Capitol Park
Bangor – Wednesday, April 15, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in front of federal courthouse
Maryland
Annapolis – Wednesday, April 15, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Campbell Park on the dock/boardwalk at Annapolis Harbor
Frederick – Wednesday, April 15, 3 p.m. at city hall
Salisbury – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at downtown Salisbury
Massachusetts
Boston – Wednesday, April 15, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at City Hall Plaza
Boston – Wednesday, April 15, 12 p.m. at Ivy Restaurant at 49 Temple Place
Boston – Saturday, July 4, from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Griffin Harbor on Congress Street Bridge
Lowell – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at JFK Plaza / Lowell City Hall
Newburyport – Saturday, March 28, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., 60 Pleasant St., City Hall
Worcester – Wednesday, April 15, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Lincoln Square (in front of the auditorium)
Michigan
Bancroft – April 11 from 9 a.m. to sundown at Camp Stasa, 7963 Cork Rd.
Jackson – Wednesday, April 15, at 6 p.m., Oaks Park, birthplace/first convention of the Republican Party
Kalamazoo – Wednesday, April 15, from 4p.m. to 6 p.m., federal courthouse, W. Michigan Ave.
Lansing – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Michigan State Capitol, 100 N Capitol Ave
Port Huron – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at in front of Grove Mall at the end of I-94, Pine Grove between Garfield and Sanborn
Sault Ste. Marie – Wednesday, April 15, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Ashmun St. near the Power Canal
St. Paul – Wednesday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at capitol
Minnesota
Duluth – Wednesday, April 15, at 12:15 p.m., Harbor Drive (behind the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center)
Milaca – Wednesday, April 15, time and location to be announced
Rochester – Wednesday, April 15, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., east side of Silver Lake, 840 7 St. NE
St. Paul - Twin Cities – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Minnesota state capitol
Mississippi
Greenwood – Wednesday, April 15, time and location to be announced
Gulfport – Wednesday, April 15, time and location to be announced
Jackson – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., in downtown Jackson, exact location to be determined
Jackson – Saturday, May 16, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.on the steps of the capitol building
Missouri
Jefferson City – Wednesday, April 15, 12 p.m., state capitol, 201 W. High Street
Joplin – Wednesday, April 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., location to be determined
Kansas City – Wednesday, April 15, at 4 p.m., Liberty Memorial
St. Louis – Wednesday, April 15, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., location to be determined
Sikeston – Wednesday, April 15, from 11 p.m. to 2 p.m., downtown
Montana
Missoula – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., downtown Missoula, exact location to be announced
Billings – Saturday, July 4, location to be announced
Billings – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., post office on 27th street, just off I-90
Bozeman – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., downtown Bozeman
Kalispell– Wednesday, April 15, time to be announced, downtown
Missoula – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., location to be announced
Nebraska
Lincoln – Wednesday, April 15, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., location to be announced
North Platte – Wednesday, April 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., where hwy 83 crosses the South Platte river
Omaha – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Douglas County Courthouse, 17 and Farnam
Nevada
Carson City/Reno – Wednesday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 101 N. Carson Street in front of state capitol building and Supreme Court
Las Vegas – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., at sidewalk across from Sunset Post Office at 1001 E Sunset RD
New Hampshire
Manchester – Wednesday, April 15, 5:30 p.m., Victory Park
New Jersey
Flemington – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., northwest corner of Main Street and Court Street
Morristown – Wednesday, April 15, at 12 p.m., the Green in Morristown
Newark – Wednesday, April 15, 12 p.m., visiting Sens. Lautenberg and Menendez offices, Gateway Center One, 782 McCarter Highway
Trenton – Wednesday, April 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at New Jersey State House, 125 W. State St.
Piscataway – Wednesday, April 15, at 6 p.m., location to be announced
New Mexico
Albuquerque – Wednesday, April 15, 12 p.m., Independence Grill, 6910 Montgomery Bllvd.
Farmington – Wednesday, April 15, 12 p.m., Farmington Museum and Visitor’s Center, 3041 E. Main
Hobbs – Wednesday, April 15, time and location to be announced
Las Cruces – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., location to be announced
Santa Fe – Wednesday, April 15, time and location to be announced
Silver City – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., Gough Park
New York
Albany – Wednesday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Corning Preserve
Buffalo – Saturday, March 28, at 2 p.m. at the Terminus of the Erie Canal
Buffalo – Saturday, April 18, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., 199 Deleware Ave
Corning – Wednesday, April 15, 5:30 p.m., Centerway Square
Fishkill – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Doug Phillips Park
Gardiner – Wednesday, April 15, from 64 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Rail Trail, Route 44/55
New York – Wednesday, April 15, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., location to be announced
New York – Saturday, July 4, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at South Street Seaport and Pier 17
Riverhead – Wednesday, April 15, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Riverhead Riverfront
Rochester – Wednesday, April 15, at 11 a.m. at Genesee Crossroads Park
Rome – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Fort Stanwix
Staten Island – Tuesday, March 31, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., 265 New Dorp Lane
Staten Island – Wednesday, April 15, at 12 p.m., Rep. Michael McMahon’s office, 265 New Dorp Lane at corner of Edison Street
Syracuse – Wednesday, April 15, time to be announced, federal building
North Carolina
Asheville – Wednesday, April 15, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., in front of the Asheville City building and the Buncombe County Courthouse
Charlotte – Saturday, April 4, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Marshall Park (uptown Charlotte)
Charlotte – Wednesday, April 15, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., City Hall lawn at 600 E. Trade Street
Edenton – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Edenton Courthouse Green, Court and Water Streets
Elizabeth City – Wednesday, April 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., sidewalk in front of Pasquotank County Courthouse, 206 E. Main Street
Fayetteville – Wednesday, April 15, 12 p.m., Liberty Point Resolves Marker, Corner of Bow and Persons Street
Franklin – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., town gazebo in downtown Franklin
Greensboro – Wednesday, April 15, location and time to be announced
Hillsborough, Orange County – Wednesday, April 15, county courthouse or parking lot of old Wal-Mart on Churton St.
Morehead City – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Parkway Shopping Center (near K-Mart)
Raleigh – Wednesday, April 15, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the state capitol building on East Edenton Street
Rutherford – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Rutherford County Courthouse lawn
Smithfield – Wednesday, April 15, time and location to be announced
Winston-Salem – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Winston Park Square
North Dakota
Bismark – Wednesday, April 15, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., federal building, 220 E. Rosser Ave
Ohio
Ashland – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Fin Feather and Fur, 652 U.S. HWY 250 near the 250/71 interchange
Ashtabula – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Ashtabula County Courthouse
Canton – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in downtown Canton, exact location to be announced
Cincinnati – Saturday, March 15, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Fountain Square at the corner of Fifth and Vine Streets
Cleveland – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Public Square, downtown Cleveland
Columbus – Wednesday, April 15, from 6 p.m. to 7:20 p.m., Statehouse on High and Broad
Dayton – Wednesday, April 15, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in downtown Dayton, exact location to be announced
Mansfield – Wednesday, April 15, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Central Park Gazebo
Medina – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Medina Town Square
Tiffin, Heidelberg University – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on campus
Toledo – Wednesday, April 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., location to be announced
Wauseon (Fulton County) – Wednesday, April 15, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Fulton County Courthouse
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at state capitol step
Tulsa – Wednesday, April 15, from 11:25 a.m. to 1:25 p.m. at Tulsa City Hall, 175 E. 2nd
Oregon
Astoria – Wednesday, April 15, at 5:30 p.m., post office on 750 Commercial. Meet at corner of 2nd and Marine Drive @ 5 p.m., we will park there and walk to post office
Beaverton – Wednesday, April 15, 5:30 p.m., location to be announced
Bend – Wednesday, April 15, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in downtown Bend at Troy Field on Bond Street.
Dalles – Wednesday, April 15, 5:30 p.m., location to be announced
Eugene – Wednesday, April 15, 5:30 p.m., location to be announced
Grant’s Pass – Wednesday, April 15, time and location to be announced
Klamath Falls – Wednesday, April 15, 12 p.m., Veterans Memorial Park
La Grande – Wednesday, April 15, time and location to be announced
Medford – Wednesday, April 15, time and location to be announced
Oregon City – Wednesday, April 15, 5:30 p.m., location to be announced, call 503-998-6299
Portland – Wednesday, April 15, from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., location to be announced
Roseburg – Wednesday, April 15, time and location to be announced
Salem – Wednesday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at capitol building, in the park
Tillamook – Wednesday, April 15, 5:30 p.m., location to be announced
Spokane – Wednesday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at capitol building, in the park
Pennsylvania
Allentown – Wednesday, April 15, at 12 p.m., location to be announced
Erie – Wednesday, April 15, from 5:15 p.m. to 7 p.m.at Republican Party headquarters, Perry Square, downtown Erie
Harrisburg – Wednesday, April 15, at 12 p.m. west steps of capitol building
Lancaster – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Musser Park in Lancaster City on corner of Lime and Chestnut Street
Matamoras – Wednesday, April 15, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Mid-Delaware Bridge (Port Jervis-Matamoras Bridge), Pennsylvania Avenue
Meadville – Wednesday, April 15, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Arch Street U.S. post office
Philadelphia – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at downtown Philadelphia, exact location to be announced
Philadelphia – Saturday, April 18, at 10 a.m. at at Penns Landing Waterfront, meet with signs and poster
Philadelphia – Saturday, July 4, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Independence Hall
Pittsburgh – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at downtown Pittsburgh, exact location to be announced
Pittsburgh – Saturday, April 11, at 12 p.m. at Allegheny Landing
Sharon – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., downtown Sharon, on the bridge overlooking the river on State Street
West Chester – Saturday, April 4, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., on corner of High Street and Market Street
Wilkes-Barre – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Market Street Bridge
Rhode Island
Providence – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at state capitol steps (city side across from Providence Place Mall)
Warwick – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. location to be announced
South Carolina
Charleston – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Old Customs House building, East Bay St. and Market St.
Columbia – Wednesday, April 15, from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at state house, 1101 Gervals Street
Myrtle Beach – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Chapin Park, 1600 N. Kings Hwy
South Dakota
Sioux Falls – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Terrace Park, Coval Lake (free lunch and entertainment)
Tennessee
Brownsville – Wednesday, April 15, 12 p.m., Brownsville Courthouse
Chattanooga – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Ross’ Landing (downtown behind aquarium)
Clarksville – Wednesday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Agriculture Pavilion, Clarksville/Montgomery County Fairgrounds
Cookeville – Wednesday, April 15, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Courthouse Square
Franklin (Williamson County) – Wednesday, April 15, 6 p.m., location to be announced
Hendersonville – Wednesday, April 15, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., location to be announced
Kingsport – Wednesday, April 15, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Memorial Park, Fort Henry Drive, across from D.B. High School
Knoxville – Wednesday, April 15, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.,downtown, World’s Fair Park, 525 Henley Street
Lewisburg – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Rock Creek Park on Farmington Road
Martin – Wednesday, April 15, time and location to be announced
Memphis – Wednesday, April 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Audobon Park
Mt. Juliet – Wednesday, April 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Charlie Daniels Park, 1038 Charlie Daniels Parkway
Murfreesboro – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., 111 East Main Street at the square
Nashville – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., location to be announced
Somerville – Wednesday, April 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., meet outside courthouse in Somerville on hwy 64 side
Springfield – Wednesday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., downtown Springfield on the square
Tullahoma – Wednesday, April 15,4:30 p.m., South Jackson Civic Center, 404 S. Jackson St
Wartburg – Wednesday, April 15, 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Wartburg Courthouse
Texas
Abilene – Wednesday, April 15, 5:30 p.m., post office on Pine Street
Alpine – Wednesday, April 15, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Railroad Park, E. Holland Ave
Austin – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on south steps of state capitol building
Austin – Saturday, July 4, time and location to be announced
Amarillo – Saturday, March 28, 11 a.m., Randall County Annex, I-27 & Georgia
Amarillo – Wednesday, April 15, 12 p.m., Potter County Courthouse and 6 p.m. at post office
Arlington – Wednesday, April 15, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., location to be announced
Beaumont – Wednesday, April 15, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., U.S. post office, Walden Road
Belton – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Confederate Park, at park and rife on I-35 Frontage Road on Nolan Creek. Participants are asked to bring a tea bag and poster.
Boerne – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Main Plaza
Brownwood – Wednesday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wendlee Broadcasting parking lot, 600 Fisk
Bryan / College Station – Wednesday, April 15, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tanglewood Park, 3900 Carter Creek Parkway
Brazoria City – Wednesday, April 15, time to be determind, Angleton, County Seat (likely by the Steven F. Austin Memorial Statue) call 979-319-5911
Burleson – Wednesday, April 15, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., across the street from Wal-Mart, 951 S. W. Wilshire Blvd.
Corpus Christi – Wednesday, April 15, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., location to be announced
Dallas – Saturday, July 4, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Victory Park
Dallas – Wednesday, April 15, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., location to be announced
Dallas – Wednesday, April 15, from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Dallas City Hall
Denton – Wednesday, April 15, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Courthouse on the Square, 110 W. Hickory
El Paso – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., location to be announced
Floresville – Wednesday, April 15, at 7 p.m. at courthouse
Fort Worth – Wednesday, April 15, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., location to be announced
Fort Worth – Saturday, July 4 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Cowtown Bar & Grill
Gonzalez – Wednesday, April 15, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., 820 St. Joseph Street
Houston – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. across street from downtown post office
Huntsville – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. post office on 11th Street
Kerr County – Friday, April 24, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Guadalupe River at Louise Hays Park pavillion, speakers, barbecue, please feel free to bring children
Kerrville – Wednesday, April 15 at 11 a.m. at Kerrville County Courthouse at 700 Main Street
Lockhart – Wednesday, April 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Lockhart Courthouse, 110 S. Main
Longview – Wednesday, April 15 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Gregg County courthouse lawn
Lubbock – Wednesday, April 15 5 p.m., Gazebo at the county courthouse, Broadway and Texas Avenue
Marble Falls – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., rotary flagpole in Lakeside Park
McAllen – Wednesday, April 15, time and location to be announced
Midland – Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m., Vietnam memorial at Midland International Airport, local and state politicians will be present with “open mic” time for citizen
Nacogdoches – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.at downtown square
New Braunfels – Wednesday, April 15, from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m., gather around local plaza and down Main Street into town
San Antonio – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., location to be announced
San Angelo – Wednesday, April 15, 5:30 p.m., Tom Green County Courthouse
Seabrook – Wednesday, April 15, 6 p.m., Clear Lake Park
Sherman – Wednesday, April 15, 10 a.m., Grayson County Courthouse lawn
Sugar Land – Wednesday, April 15, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sugar Land City Hall at Town Square
Waco – Saturday, July 4, time and location to be announced
Woodlands – Wednesday, April 15, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., location to be announced
Tyler – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., location to be announced
Utah
Provo – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., post office (East Bay), 210 East 900 South
Salt Lake City – Wednesday, April 15, downtown Salt Lake City, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at federal building plaza, 125 South State Street — also — 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at post office in Salt Lake City, 1795 W. 2100
St. George – Wednesday, April 15, time and location to be announced
Vermont
Montpelier – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., State House Lawn
Rutland – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., downtown Rutland, Main Street Park, sign waving begins at 4 p.m.
Virginia
Abingdon – Wednesday, April 15, 5 p.m., the site where the Kings Mountain Men met in 1780 in Abingdon
Annandale – Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mason District Park, 6621 Columbia Pike
Charlottesville – Wednesday, April 15, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., downtown mall by the pavilion
Franklin County – Wednesday, April 15, 12 p.m., in front of the Franklin County Courthouse, 40 East Court Street, Rocky Mount
Lynchburg – Wednesday, April 15, 6 p.m., downtown - waterfront
Peninsula / Newport News – Wednesday, April 15, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oyster Point City Center
Richmond – Wednesday, April 15, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Kanawha Plaza in downtown Richmond, 8th and Canal Street
Reston – Wednesday, April 15, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Lake Anne Village Center, 1609 Washington Plaza
Richmond – Wednesday, April 15, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., location to be announced
Roanoke – Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Along Roanoke River, Wiley Drive, near footbridge at the old Victory Stadium site
Virginia Beach – Wednesday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Central Plaza, Towne Center (across from Sen. Webb’s Office)
Rutland – Wednesday, April 15, downtown Rutland, exact time and location to be announced
Washington
Anacortes – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m, corner of 12th and Commercial Avenue, call 360-293-7044
Bellingham – Wednesday, April 15, from 4p.m. to 6 p.m, Guide Meridian near Bellis Fair Parkway
Everett – Wednesday, April 15, time and location to be announced
Kennewick, Richland, Pasco – Wednesday, April 15, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., John Dam Plaza, located between George Washington Way and Jadwin Avenue, north of Knight Street
Mt. Vernon – Wednesday, April 15, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. on corner of College Way and Riverside Drive (1 block from freeway exit)
Olympia – Wednesday, April 15, at 12 p.m. on the capitol steps
Seattle – Wednesday, April 15, from 5:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., Westlake Park by the arch, 410 Pine St., downtown Seattle
Spokane – Wednesday, April 15, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., location to be announced
Spokane – Wednesday, April 15, from 4:30 pm to 6 p.m., Spokane Convention Center on Spokane Falls Blvd.
Vancouver – Saturday, April 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Clark County Courthouse lawn
Yakima – Wednesday, April 15, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., west side of Yakima County Courthouse
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lafayette Park
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, April 15, at 12 p.m., White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. – Saturday, July 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Upper Senate Park adjacent to Capitol building on north side
West Virginia
Beckley – Wednesday, April 15, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at large fountain on Neville Street, across from university book store
Charleston – Wednesday, April 15, 12 p.m., at state capitol
Martinsburg – Wednesday, April 15, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m, on square between Queen and King Street
Wheeling – Wednesday, April 15, time and location to be announced
Wisconsin
Appleton – Wednesday, April 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Fox Banquets, 111 E. Kimball
Fort Atkinson – Wednesday, April 15, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., municipal building, Main Street
Madison – Wednesday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at state capitol
Milwaukee – Wednesday, March 25, 9 a.m., Wisconsin State Fair Park
Wyoming
Cheyenne – July 4, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the state capitol building
Cody – Wednesday, April 15, time to be announced, Cody City Park, Corner of Sheridan and 9th / Beck and 9th
Are you planning a tea party? WND is your place to launch the tea party revolution. If you would like to include your tea party in this list, send the city, date, time, location and point of contact to WND.
It might be worthwhile to write our local newspapers, TV and radio shows and DEMAND they cover these events honestly and completely. It wouldn’t hurt to remind them that, by their bias reporting, they are in large part responsible for Obama’s win and, by extension, this financial quicksand we now find ourselves sinking in. If they hear from hundreds of us well in advance, there will be no reason for them not to be there and prepared to give these events the coverage they deserve. The more letters the media receives the more likely they will be to cover these events.
It wouldn’t hurt to also remind them how irrelevant they are becoming, the public’s opinion of them, and the number of newspapers around the country that are failing. Pay attention to sponsors, and let them know how unhappy you will be if you don’t see the protests reported honestly. These are tough times, and the last thing sponsors want to hear is that thousands of people will not be patronizing their business as long as they sponsor dishonest and bias media. Money is a powerful weapon, so let’s use it to our advantage. Dr. Taitz as well as many others have contributed thousands of hours and dollars to this effort – let’s do our part and not let them down.
Someone should post this to the http://www.resistnet.com website
David, I am placing this here, but will you post this as it is a very important civil action that needs attention…
By Tom DeWeese
March 30, 2004
NewsWithViews.com
Soon after taking office in January 1981, President Ronald Reagan and several of his key advisors were working through a mound of policy matters that had spilled over from the Carter Administration. One of those issues concerned the signing of the United Nation’s new Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST).
As the advisors talked among themselves debating whether the administration should sign the treaty as it stood or demand changes, the President sat by silently and listened. With the debate raging, suddenly the President’s voice was heard to say, “Isn’t that what it was all about?”
Debate stopped as everyone looked over to the President. “What, sir?” Reagan then repeated his statement. “Isn’t that what it was all about — the election? Doesn’t it mean that we don’t have tto sign these things?”
The group realized that President Reagan had just cut through all of the debate and stated the real issue. His administration had been elected to defend American sovereignty and independence, and that changes in a bad treaty didn’t have to be negotiated. He could just refuse to sign and kill it right then and there. Ronald Reagan understood that he was the President of the United States and not a captive of someone else’s power grab.
And the Law of the Sea Treaty remained justifiably dead for the next 12 years until Bill Clinton pulled it out of the trash bin, dusted it off and signed it. Then, in the spirit of Reagan, a courageous Senator Jesse Helms, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, bottled it up until the Clintonistas were driven from power.
But today there is no Ronald Reagan and no Jesse Helms, and so the Law of the Sea Treaty has again reared its ugly head and now stands on the verge of passage in the Senate under the forceful hand of Republican Senator Richard Lugar, the current Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. Worse, Lugar is aided in his quest by a hapless Bush Administration.
After unanimously passing the Treaty out of committee, the pressure is on to give it “unanimous consent,” meaning there will be no official vote to ratify the treaty; no record of support or opposition; no one to blame when it’s over. The treaty will just become the law of the land — no muss, no fuss. Business as usual. Senators like to hide from thhe people that way. It makes life so much easier for them.
For the record, here are just a few of the reasons why Ronald Reagan, Jesse Helms and those loyal to the American ideal believe the United States should never be a party to the Law of the Sea Treaty.
Freedom of the seas has been the guiding principle recognized by sovereign nations since ancient times. It means all nations recognize that ships, government owned or private, are free to sail the seas wherever they like, carrying their cargoes to ports of call for free trade among nations. Freedom of the seas also means the right to mine and fish the resources of the seas, unhindered.
Nations have traditionally claimed a slim line along their coasts as sovereign territory for protection of national interests and defense. Three miles out from shore has been the traditional limit recognized by nations. That distance used to represent the range of a cannon on shore. Any waters outside such limited claims have been understood to be free of control. The rights of individuals and private companies to use the seas for pleasure and commerce has been unquestioned.
That’s all about to change. In the name of “social equity,” a euphemism for “redistribution of the wealth,” the UN’s Law of the Sea Treaty will replace the freedom of the seas concept with central control from an international body, specifically the United Nations. Under UN control a new supranational agency has been created called the Seabed Authority.
The Seabed Authority is organized identically to the UN General Assembly using the one nation, one vote model. That means that numerous, tiny Third World nations can organize a block of votes hostile to the United States and other industrial nations. Such a setup has created an unworkable situation in the General Assembly and it’s why that body achieves very little of worthwhile substance. Now, the same gridlock expects to rule the seas of the world.
The Seabed Authority will have the power to regulate all the seas — roughlly seven-tenths of the world’s surface area. It will have the sole power to issue permits for fishing and mining and drilling operations under the surface. It can fix prices of sea products and impose quotas on how much is produced. It can levy international taxes and impose production quotas on deep-sea mining and oil production; control ocean research and exploration; and create a multinational court to enforce its dictates. Don’t be surprised to see Seabed Authority ships plying the waters, stalking ships, and mining and drilling operations it deems in violation of its authority.
The Seabed Authority can force governments and private companies to file for permits and impose fees and it can delay production for years. Yet, in the end, after charging up to a million dollars for permit fees, there is nothing in the Treaty that requires the Authority to EVER issue even a single permit. In addition, the provisions establishing the Authority gives it the power to set up its own mining and drilling activities, and compete right next to private efforts. That provision alone should set off alarm bells concerning the fairness of permit decisions.
The revenues raised by the Seabed Authority make it a powerful force that will likely be controlled by the Third World block. This new wealth and power may lead to the establishment of a cartel of sorts where the Third World nations could control all assets of the seas for their own interests, leaving developed nations at their mercy.
Under the Law of the Sea Treaty, U.S. national defense interests would be dangerously threatened as several provisions of the treaty would prevent inspection or boarding of suspected terrorist ships. When the U.S. invaded Afghanistan after the 9-11 terrorist attacks, several ships controlled by al Qaeda were seen fleeing the area and were chased down and boarded by U.S. war ships. Equipment, weapons and the terrorists who owned them were apprehended.
Yet the treaty offers still more of a threat to our national interests. It demands that nations share information with all others concerning sea exploration. This provision constitutes a mandatory technology transfer and can include military secrets such as submarine detection techniques.
The most dangerous aspect of the treaty has nothing to do with the seas, however. Rather, the danger lies with the United Nations gaining the authority to impose taxes through the Seabed Authority. The UN is basically a club. It has private members who pay voluntary dues. Only governments have the power to tax, operate a court system or field armies. If the UN gains the power to tax through the Law of the Sea Treaty, the cat is out of the bag. There can then be no stopping any of hundreds of taxing schemes now floating around the UN. The UN has already established its own criminal court. Given the ability to tax, it will be two thirds on the way to becoming the global government of its dreams.
The Law of the Sea Treaty is clearly a massive threat to the sovereignty and independence of the United States and our private companies operating internationally. Is it any wonder why Senator Lugar is putting pressure on Senate Majority Leader Frist to push the treaty through without debate and without a recorded vote. He wants none of these facts to get a public airing.
The treaty has been reborn because a massive lobbying effort has been waged by those who seek UN global governance. Environmental groups stand to gain incredible power to block oil drilling and mining. International corporations think it will be easier to deal with one central power than with multiple foreign countries. Several oil and mineral companies think they can use the treaty to gain their own form of power and cut their competition. They play to get theirs at the expense of everyone else. It’s an old game played on Capitol Hill. All of them will find in the end that they’ve played a costly hand indeed.
The fight over the Law of the Sea Treaty is really an ancient one between those who believe in the concepts of private property and free markets and those who can’t conceive of anything not being controlled by government.
The seas have been free for the entire history of mankind, except when controlled by a dictator. We’ve fought pirates and Hitler to keep them open. Why would we now surrender that freedom to mindless, faceless bureaucrats who covet power and care nothing for our rights?
The actions of Senator Lugar and his cohorts defy comprehension by reasonable Americans. Yet so far, Americans have remained silent while the Law of the Sea Treaty is being slipped through to stealth ratification. Our senators are sending the message that they don’t need you in the process. They don’t feel the need to hear from you. Instead, they want to cater to the wants of a powerful lobby.
Will we let them get away with it? Will we see this massive piece of our liberty drown in the seas while we do nothing — again? A massive outcry of NOO now will stop it. It just requires one phone call to your United States Senator. Here’s the number: 202-224-3121. Call it and stop the Law of the Sea Treaty and keep the seas of the world open and free ? as theyy’ve always been.