About 200 residents turned up for the Tax Day Tea Party on the University of Michigan's Diag at noon today.
The protest coincided with similar events across the country. And locally, another rally was held in Chelsea that drew about 250 people.
The Ann Arbor protesters met at the Diag, and when the Burton Tower bell tolled at noon, the group began a silent march to the federal building on Liberty Street.
During the walk, the protesters drew honks and cheers of support. The group included young and old alike - many holding signs with messages like, "My child is not your ATM" and "Cut taxes not deals."
Cheryl Allie of Ann Arbor came with her three children, ages 9, 6 and 2. She said she joined the grassroots effort on behalf of her children.
"Our agenda is the future of our country and the future of our children," Allie said.
That's a lot of people for Ann Arbor. I'm a bit late to cover the protest (which I just found out about a few minutes ago), but I'm glad it happened.
posted by Eric on 04.15.09 at 02:29 PM
Comments
I went to a similar protest in Iowa City, Iowa, and there were at least 200 people there as well. Iowa City isn't quite as "progressive" as Ann Arbor, but it was still a surprise to see such a large crowd.
John S. · April 15, 2009 3:27 PM
My wife and I just got back from the tea party in Atlanta. 10,000 showed up here tonight and while that's a LOT of people (crammed into a couple city blocks) I think the 200 who marched in Ann Arbor were a more impressive showing.
I was born in Ann Arbor but have lived in Georgia for a dozen years; it was tough enough to be a conservative in A2 back then so I can only imagine how it is now. As they say down here, "Good on ya!"
J.D. · April 15, 2009 10:27 PM
My husband and I just got back from the Tea Party in our tiny little town. There were several HUNDRED people there, even in my liberal state of Washington.
We had 6000, very enthusiastic attendees, down here in Birmingham.
I think we are seeing the beginning of a third party because there are Repubs, Dems and Independents all at these Tea partys.
Maybe even the seed/dream of a actual
Constitutional Government has been replanted.
It is real good to see there was turn out in dear old Ann Arbor Town. I love here dearly....but she does need a slap to wake up sometimes.
Kirk Z · April 16, 2009 12:54 AM
Tiny Astoria, population less than 10k, had 300 show up.
More than 400 people gathered during simultaneous rallies in Ann Arbor and Chelsea Wednesday to protest what they believe is excessive government spending that's mortgaging the country's future.
Dubbed "Tax Day Tea Parties," the rallies coincided with similar events in cities across the country. About 4,000 people protested outside the Michigan Capitol.
About 200 people gathered at the University of Michigan Diag and silently marched to the federal building on Liberty Street.
The Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler
Don?t bang your head!
I went to a similar protest in Iowa City, Iowa, and there were at least 200 people there as well. Iowa City isn't quite as "progressive" as Ann Arbor, but it was still a surprise to see such a large crowd.