Anti-Tax Tea Party Protests Nationwide: What You Need To Know

HuffPost has comprehensive coverage of the Tax Day Tea Party protests. Click here for the latest photos and video.

It's been over a month since CNBC's Rick Santelli called for a Chicago "Tea Party" during an impromptu rant against the government "rewarding bad behavior" with bank bailouts and mortgage relief.

Now his barely-thought-out words have crystallized into something of an anti-tax, anti-spending movement, with "Tea Party" protests planned across the country for tax day, April 15.

But Santelli and his network want nothing to do with it. The CNBC pundit is "not going and not in any way involved" in the protests, says spokesman Brian Steel.

They may feel left out come tax day -- Fox News anchors Neil Cavuto and Sean Hannity have signed on with tea parties in Sacramento and Atlanta, respectively, and Newt Gingrich plans to attend a tea party in New York. Organizers say over 300 different protests will happen across the country.

"We have fully confirmed protests in 360 cities," says organizer Eric Odom, who says he is in daily conversation with local organizers and is "very confident that all the protests will happen." At least two of the protests -- the ones featuring Fox personalities -- Odom expects to bring out between five to ten-thousand people from "all walks of life," not just conservatives opposed to the Obama administration's policies.

The Huffington Post wants to have citizen journalists at as many of these events as possible. If you think you'd be interested in attending one of the Tea Parties and reporting back to us with dispatches, photos, or video, click here to sign up. We'll contact you shortly with further instructions.

Comments

[Phxflyer]

01:32 PM on 04/15/2009

From the AP:

"The tea parties have been promoted by FreedomWorks, a conservative nonprofit advocacy group based in Washington and led by former Republican House Majority Leader Dick Armey of Texas. The group's federal tax returns show it has both educational and charitable arms, which together received more than $6 million in donations in 2007, the most recent year for which returns are available.

The group is not required by law to disclose its donors. FreedomWorks spokesman Adam Brandon did not immediately return calls seeking comment about the group's financial backers.

Armey, who the tax returns show was paid $400,000 by FreedomWorks in 2007, also is registered as a lobbyist for the firm DLA Piper, and has listed corporate clients there including Verizon, Raytheon, liquor maker Diageo, CarMax and drug company Sanofi Pasteur."

So much for the "grassroots movement" lie.

[boyydz]

02:17 PM on 04/16/2009

Promotion does not imply organization. This grass roots movement started even before Santelli's CNBC rant. Armey's involvement does not prove a lack of independence. Typical lack of logic.

[ladevastation]

02:39 PM on 04/13/2009

It's so funny how many people don't like paying taxes.
Especially the Republican's who consider themselves so patriotic.
All you want is tax cuts.
Do you like living in the United States?
Paying taxes is supporting your country.
I live in Los Angeles where I have a tax of some sort on everything and I am by no means rich.
I live paycheck to paycheck and have a tough time on some months but I will never complain about paying taxes as not only is it my duty as an American, it is a privilege to live in this country.
Think about all the other people all over the world that have it much worse than we do. They don't have food, water, or even shelter sometimes and lots of them live in a country where their governments don't care about their well-being in the slightest bit.
Stop being such a self-centered American and crying about paying a few dollars more here and there.
Buck it up or go ahead and find another place to live.

[madashll]

03:57 PM on 04/13/2009

Its not self centered at all. I am working 2 jobs to pay MY bills.
I don't want to start a third job to pay some one else's.

I don't have any problem paying to fund reasonable government.

But think about it. A 3.4 trillion dollar annually budget! Trillions for bail outs.
And more to come. Cap and Trade (if passed) Funding national health
care. And many more programs to come.

All I ask any one, disagree if you like.Thats what this country is about.
Ask yourself objectively. Who is going to pay for all this? Really! Think
about it.Do you honestly think the rich will cover it?? Not likely.

No matter what the rhetoric is, the middle class will always get stuck with the bill.
No matter which party is in charge. They always do.

Democrat or Republican it makes no difference. They spend we pay, one way or another.
They lower income tax,they raise 2 others.
Its not like most Americans can afford more at the moment.
Just think about it.

[ladevastation]

08:02 PM on 04/13/2009

Please explain to me how you are paying someone else's bills. Because you are paying taxes? And what taxes are you so upset about? The tobacco tax increase? I would like to know what taxes in particular are making you so mad, that you are going to attend some "tea party?"

I assume that you think our government is turning to socialism too, right?

We have such an expensive budget so that we can get our economy working again. See the last guy that was in office kind of left a big mess. So now in order to fix it, there is a few drastic measures that must be taken.

We're you complaining during this war that the previous President got us into? Do you realize how much of a deficit was caused due to that? Now we are spending money on our OWN country, and now you are getting upset?

Now don't get me wrong, we live in a country where we all can have our different opinions and I respect that. But the fact that you really think, we are going to paying for this burden forever. I would like to know how much of it are YOU really going to pay?

All I know is I don't mind paying my fair share and personally I don't think you should either. But hey if you do... that's your right, go voice your opinion.

[BarryBonez]

02:55 AM on 04/14/2009

I don't believe that people don't want to pay ANY taxes, I think it's that people are frustrated with government waste. Government waste isn't some abstract idea. Regular news watchers learn of cases of sloppy government throughout the year. There are also cases of officials who have ridiculously high benefits while their services are questionable. I know down here in San Diego, we have local politicians being paid thousands of dollars per year for their fuel expenses and retirement packages that pay 90% of their highest paid year. When the average American sees government officials paid to drive to work and their ultrahigh retirement, it's no wonder they become upset. These protests will probably do very little to mend these problems, but atleast they may reveal how dissatisfied the populace is with business as usual.
Ofcourse paying taxes is part of being a 'good' American, but it's also patriotic for politicians to work to make the lives of their constituents as prosperous as possible. I don't mean stripping programs that help people, just working to streamline government. Given such actions, taxes could fall as less$ is needed to fuel some pork in the government while the quality of services offered by the govt remains the same. This would make our lives somewhat easier, and believe me, as a fellow SouthernCalifornian, I know just how hard taxes can hit us. I hope you can start getting ahead and make your way out of the tough paycheck to paycheck life.

[Shultzsrules]

06:54 PM on 04/11/2009

I do believe what we have here is a case of sore losers! The rightwingers are angry because the Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Haliburton, Blackwater cabal is no longer in charge!

[Huff Daddy]

03:26 PM on 04/12/2009

Right, we were not big fans of them to begin with. They were not conservative enough thus the super low approval ratings that we are all so familiar with from Republicans who were polled! We just went from bad to worse thanks to the successful campaign launched by progressives decades ago which has taken hold and semi adopted by the Republican party which is the nanny state. Taking care of every conceivable need from the cradle to the grave. Buying votes through handouts. It's become a race to see who can give more handouts. At least there is still a strong undercurrent on the Republican side to do what is best for all Americans. Democrats would sell their own mothers for power as evidenced by the strong and sudden decent against the Iraq war once they realized there was a political advantage for taken an opposite stance from their original stance. No WMD was an excuse for them to change their position for political gain at the peril of American soldiers still in harms way.

P.S. regarding the Haliburton reference, Democrats are the kings of the no bid rigged contracts, do some homework, check out which party goes to jail more frequently over such contracts. Democrats are all about an un-level playing field.

[Shultzsrules]

07:48 PM on 04/13/2009

I suppose elected officials like Ted Stevens, Duke Cunningham and Scooter Libby are all Republicans. NOPE!

[Shultzsrules]

05:33 PM on 04/11/2009

The only reason Obama is spending so much is because of Bush putting a two front war on credit with the CHINESE!

[SonjaFaye]

07:28 AM on 04/15/2009

No, it was the Clintons who sold their soul to the Chinese.

[Phxflyer]

03:09 PM on 04/15/2009

But it was under Bush that they bought out debt. Nice spin, though.

[BTP]

09:33 PM on 04/10/2009

Boston Tea Party
In the contest between British Parliament and the American colonists before the Revolution, Parliament, when repealing the Townshend Acts, had retained the tea tax, partly as a symbol of its right to tax the colonies, partly to aid the financially embarrassed East India Company. The colonists tried to prevent the consignees from accepting taxed tea and were successful in New York and Philadelphia. At Charleston the tea was landed but was held in government warehouses. At Boston, three tea ships arrived and remained unloaded but Gov. Thomas Hutchinson refused to let the ships leave without first paying the duties. A group of indignant colonists, led by Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and others, disguised themselves as Native Americans, boarded the ships on the night of Dec. 16, 1773, and threw the tea into the harbor. In reply Parliament passed the Boston Port Bill (check out the Intolerable Acts below)

INTOLERABLE ACTS: name given by American patriots to five laws (including the Quebec Act) adopted by Parliament in 1774, which limited the political and geographical freedom of the colonists. Four of these laws were passed to punish the people of Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party. violation of the sea-to-sea grants of many colonial charters.
NO TAX WITHOUT REPRESENTATIONS, we have no representation, we have a bunch of fools in Washington ready to spend this country into oblivion. We have people in congress signing bills they have not even read, spending money we do not have

[GoldenAgeMaster]

11:42 PM on 04/10/2009

BTP..... Bravo! I could spend a week trying and never say it as well.

To you Obama supporters...
I spent 7 years listening to you people say that dissent is patriotic. Now that I believe you, you change your minds.

[RZoroaster]

02:52 AM on 04/11/2009

I don't think anyone's saying you're unpatriotic. Personally I'm more embarrassed for you.

[Mannock]

11:22 PM on 04/13/2009

Neither could BTP.

[RZoroaster]

02:55 AM on 04/11/2009

You don't feel like you have representation because YOUR GUYS LOST! That's what happens when you lose an election. The other side, the side who is now in power, does things that you don't like. I feel very well represented actually. For the first time in a long time. This is how democracy works guys. Losing an election != no representation.

[madashll]

09:36 AM on 04/11/2009

We all lost.This is not a partisan issue. It does not matter if your right or left.
You,your children and probably your grand children will bear the responsibility
for the actions of this congress and the last one I might add. In their day when
our time is history,they will not be arguing over which party spent their future.
They will just wonder why Grandma and Grandpa let it happen.

--
Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forward

[madashll]

11:05 AM on 04/10/2009

This issue is not a right wing vs left wing,republican vs democrat,rich vs poor issue,it is an American issue, period!
I will attend one of the Tea Parties. I am not rich,so taking the day off will hurt.
Most of you miss the point on what the Tea Parties are all about.It is not a right wing radio talk show issue.
Like it or not, all working Americans are being targeted with higher taxes! It dos not matter what party
you belong to or if your rich or poor. And it is not just about Federal income tax. So many targeted federal state an local taxes are being considered now its mind boggling. Tobacco tax,gas tax and energy taxes to name a few.
Any of you ever heard of cap and trade??? If passed in any form it will cost us dearly! I know,I know the government in its infinite wisdom and compassion is considering passing cap and trade to tax the pants of us and then they will give us relief by giving us some one else's pants!
Good grief people, can't you see how crazy all of this is??

Show up at your local Tea Party to let our government know they serve you, you do not serve them!

[snesich]

01:00 PM on 04/10/2009

Boy, how can someone be so confused and so ignorant of the facts?

Hey "madashll", you need to go back to school and learn the basics of dollars and sense...geez.

[madashll]

05:48 PM on 04/10/2009

Some Facts

* -Cigarettes: $1 per pack (up from 39 cents)
* -Small cigars: $50 per 1,000 (up from $1.80)
* -Snuff: $1.51 per pound (up from 58.5 cents)
* -Pipe tobacco: $2.831 per pound (up from $1. 097)
* -Chewing tobacco: 50.3 cents per pound (up from 19.5 cents)
* -Roll-your-own tobacco: $24.78 per pound (up from $1. 097)
* -Cigarette wrappers: 1.2 cents per 50 (up from 1.2 cents)
* -Cigarette tubes: 12.4 cents per 50 (up from 6.3 cents)
* On cap and trade.Candidate Obama said "Under my plan of a cap and trade system electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket."
* The CBO projects the annual cost of cap and trade per household ...$680-$2180
* A congressionally created commission called for a 10-cent-a-gallon increase in the federal gas tax.
* Some Michigan lawmakers have suggested a $.50 to $1.00 gas tax hike.

[Shultzsrules]

06:57 PM on 04/11/2009

I couldnt agree with you more sneich. More like dazed and confused.

[SonjaFaye]

07:31 AM on 04/15/2009

Fox News is covering Tea Parties organized by Democrats. Wake up!!

[rhetoricus]

11:34 AM on 04/09/2009

Can we have our own "teabagging" parties precisely for the purpose of mocking these other get-togethers?

[GoldenAgeMaster]

11:44 PM on 04/10/2009

Sure, but you would look kinda dumb.

To all you Obama supporters...I spent 7 years listening to you people say that dissent is patriotic. Now that I believe you, you change your minds.

[madashll]

04:48 PM on 04/11/2009

Knock your self out. Its still a free country.
We won't be having teabagging parties. We will
be at teaparties.But if teabagging floats your boat.
Go for it.

[ruadearry2]

10:35 AM on 04/09/2009

What a joke! These wingnuts obviously do not read history books. Representative Gingrey from Georgia was just on Fox News with Bill Hemmer and said the Boston Tea Party was about King George putting an import tax on tea. Of course Hemmer didn't correct him. Anyone interested in reading the REAL reason for the Boston Tea Party....check out the Boston Tea Party Historical Society web site

http://www.boston-tea-party.org/tea-act.html

[GoldenAgeMaster]

12:38 AM on 04/10/2009

In 1770, Lord North had repealed four of the five Townshend Duties, keeping only the tax on tea. The American colonists had refused to buy the commodity, which had resulted in financial difficulties for the East India Company.

The above is taken directly from your link. 'The people' revolted because of the Tea Tax.

[julia23]

04:34 PM on 04/12/2009

And happened 3 years before the Boston Tea Party. Read the rest of the article.

"This established monopolies in America and offended colonial merchants."
That was the reason for the tea party, not taxes.

[MS09]

10:39 PM on 04/07/2009

The average american works until April 13 full time to pay his/her taxes. For some States the time is a little short ,like Florida for example, while others like New York and NEw Jersey, have to work until April 25th. I believe, wether you are from left or the right, you have to agree we already pay enough in taxes. Government should show Prudence when spending our money. I, for one, earned it through a lot of sacrifice, include traveling for long periods time. I'm sure some of you, make even greater sacrifices. It is not fair that the Goverments just spend it away like nothing. We all need it specially in times like today's.

[toypiano]

01:44 PM on 04/09/2009

Nope, I completely disagree. We should have a progressive tax system where those who make more pay more in taxes. It takes money to make money and those who make the most money benefit the most from the infrastructure of support.

Services aren't free, and either is freedom.

Governments are supposed to spend money to supply infrastructure. This whole idea that taxes are somehow evil came from rethugs who are rich and don't want to pay their fair share. They've convinced the poor and working classes to be their footsoldiers.

Giving away taxpayer money to the banksters so they can continue their lavish, wasteful and disgusting thievery and corruption is unconscionable, though. Must be stopped so taxpayers benefit from taxes! Rich, lazy, entitled corporate welfare kings do NOT deserve my taxes, ever.

[DocinPA]

09:54 PM on 04/09/2009

I already pay more to subsidize the monstrous welfare state called the USA. The top 5% in the USA pay 45% of the taxes. In France, they pay 28%. Now, the government can certainly steal my money at gunpoint to support the causes that increase their political power but don't tell me I'm not paying my "fair share" when nearly half of my income is taken from me and millions of my fellow citizens pay NOTHING in income taxes. If any of you think that we (the "evil rich") are going to be the only ones to get nailed you are sadly mistaken. Big government is a ravenous beast and it will devour all in it's path, especially all of you that are under the age of 40. You all are looking at MASSIVE debt that is being thrown directly on your shoulders. So, from all of us Baby Boomers, Thanks for bein' patsies and payin' our way!

[GoldenAgeMaster]

12:40 AM on 04/10/2009

toypiano,

Those that make more already pay more. Your post makes no sense. It sounds to me like you are repeating someone else's talking points.

[RZoroaster]

03:00 AM on 04/11/2009

I definitely do not agree that we pay enough in taxes. Taxes are the lowest they've been in decades. The rich pay less in taxes than they have at any other time since before the great depression. We can't complain about government debts and then refuse to fund our government! Government programs provide opportunities that enable the American dream, programs like public schools, libraries, universities, healthcare, that allow the hardworking poor to shake off the circumstances they were born with. Anarchy is fun and all, hell I was an anarchist as a teenager. But then I grew up and got an education.

[californiaisbankrupt]

06:35 PM on 04/11/2009

You can pay more taxes. You can elect to do that on your taxes. I bet that you don't. Why do you think that the government can spend your money better than you can. If you are so educated, then why don't you understand that by paying the government more money, you are giving the government more control. The less control the government has, the more freedom we have. No one is suggested anarchy. Don't be so hysterical. We just want more freedom.

[madashll]

08:17 PM on 04/11/2009

RZoroaster I think without knowing it, you summed up the whole reason for the Tax Tea Party movement.
You said...
" We can't complain about government debts and then refuse to fund our government!"

Did you ever think about what the cost of that debt is? How much interest is paid on that debt?
How much money does the government need to borrow to pay that interest?Do you think that there should be some kind of limit on government spending? Or should it be infinite as long as it gives us instant gratification.Or buys some votes.
Can you run your household budget in the same manor?What level of taxation can you afford?
30 percent?50 percent? Would it actually stop there?
I can tell you, things are tight in my household, I had to ratchet down my spending. You know, do without things that I think are worthy.Put off a repair and such.Just like millions of other Americans. Now if I make a budget that's 3 time what I make. Guess what I am bankrupt.How is it any different for the federal government?
Government debt is what brought us here.And yes I can and will complain.

[thegloriouscause]

05:22 PM on 04/07/2009

i think many of you are missing the point. at the heart of the anti-tax movement is the illegality of the personal income tax itself. the very notion that our wages can be arbitrarily taken by the government makes us slaves to the state. many people do not even know that the united states did not have a personal income tax until 1913. it is far from the sole source of revenue for the federal government. most of the faux news types are jumping on the bandwagon because now that a dem is in office it's fashionable to rail on taxes again. but the anti-tax movement has been against both sides of the aisle for a very long time.

[mcbreen]

12:44 PM on 04/09/2009

In 1913 the vast number of Americans lived in cities and in slum-areas , while a tiny minority
enjoyed a life-style fit for a king.

[ranchero42]

11:31 PM on 04/06/2009

Hey! Wanna see what a crowd of hypocrites looks like?

[ronspri]

10:26 PM on 04/06/2009

They might want to brush up on their history . Overtaxing wasn't the big issue that caused the Boston tea party.

"The merchants of Boston circumvented the act by continuing to receive tea smuggled in by Dutch traders. In 1773 Parliament passed a Tea Act designed to aid the financially troubled East India Company by granting it (1) a monopoly on all tea exported to the colonies, (2) an exemption on the export tax, and (3) a “drawback” (refund) on duties owed on certain surplus quantities of tea in its possession. The tea sent to the colonies was to be carried only in East India Company ships and sold only through its own agents, bypassing the independent colonial shippers and merchants. The company thus could sell the tea at a less-than-usual price in either America or Britain; it could undersell anyone else. The perception of monopoly drove the normally conservative colonial merchants into an alliance with radicals led by Samuel Adams and his Sons of Liberty."

They were protesting corporate monopolies, corporate elimination of independent business men(see Walmart) and the fact that favored companies were given tax EXEMPTIONS. If they would like to protest that I will jump right in with them.
It proves however how little they know of what they speak.

[GoldenAgeMaster]

12:42 AM on 04/10/2009

You might want to brush up on current events. Taxes is just one complaint and it's not anymore important than the other complaints.

[julia23]

04:39 PM on 04/12/2009

Apparently there is concern about the new TV decoder boxes being devices that will brainwash the American people also.

Seems we need to wear our tinfoil hats to the Tea Parties.

[Huff Daddy]

02:16 PM on 04/12/2009

Good, then come join us cause we HATE the government meddling in the affairs of free enterprise i.e. Barney Frank, Pelosi, Maxine Waters, Obama etc. This would be perfect for you. See you there!

[JoshuaLudd]

10:17 PM on 04/06/2009

Well, I guess since it is the wealthy being taxed here, they can afford to take a wednesday off to protest their taxes. I know I can't... because unlike them, I actually have to work to pay the bills and what little I will be getting to keep with these tax cuts actually means something to me on more than a theoretical level.

[motionview]

04:34 PM on 04/09/2009

So when a million illegal aliens took May Day off to let us know that 'Si Se Puede', they could only do it because they are rich?

[fieldgrass]

08:56 PM on 04/09/2009

part of those Si Se Puede demonstrations which took place on May 1st was a work boycott by those illegal aliens to make a point of how many businesses (owned by legal citizens) depend on illegal aliens for a workforce. They came here for work.

[Huff Daddy]

09:14 PM on 04/12/2009

Hang in there, Obama will see to it soon that you get more of my money. Then we'll take home the same amount as I make the sacrafices for you to enjoy. That's really what you want, right? Be honest, did you study your ass ooff in school or did you party a little more than you should have? Did you make frugal decisions as you were coming up or did you spend more than you should've? Did you apply yourself and make smart decisions in the workplace or did you sit back and complain about how everyone always gets ahead except you? Did you partake in the negative gossip and grow more bitter rather than finding and proposing solutions? What's the HONEST answer?

[Moxo]

09:40 PM on 04/06/2009

I wonder what sort of tea-party they would throw if President Obama announced that he is reducing the defense budget to 100 Billion a year and the other 500 Billion is being returned to the tax payer?

[mcbreen]

12:40 PM on 04/09/2009

It would not make any difference. Right-Wing radio has told the angry white folks that listen,
that they are over-taxed because blacks are driving new Cadillacs to pick up their welfare checks.
Now I don't like paying taxes anymore than anyone else, but I don' t buy the dittohead mantra
that taxes are my biggest problem. For instance, my electric utility bill has gone up many times
more than my taxes in the last few years, despite no extra usage. No "tea-party" planned against
that monopoly.

[madashll]

12:29 PM on 04/10/2009

"Right-Wing radio has told the angry white folks that listen,
that they are over-taxed because blacks are driving new Cadillacs to pick up their welfare checks."

What?? I am not sure who you heard saying that???
I would like to see proof of who you heard say that.

Your electric bill will be much higher if cap and trade passes.That is what the tea parties are about.

By the way, "blacks driving Cadillac's" are more than welcome to show up at the Tea Parties.

Its not about "angry white Americans",its about angry Americans.

And yes people on welfare pay taxes too, and they can afford it the least, so they are welcome as well.

[Huff Daddy]

02:41 PM on 04/12/2009

Taxes are not your biggest problem, the ever increasing size and scope of government is. Higher taxes are a by-product.

The increasing energy costs are also due in large part to increased restrictions on these utilities by government agencies who oversee them. I work in the water industry. Here is a small example. The DEP in NJ oversee the allocation of water. If a town increases in size, that town will try to petition the DEP to drill another well. This process through bureaucratic red tape can take a year or two. Many petitions are denied so that town has to buy water from another town at an increased rate. That increase (like all increased expenses or taxes imposed on a business) are passed on to you. In many cases, the DEP imposes a general limit on a town. If their demand exceeds this allocation, they have to buy from another town or a private utility that provides water locally.

[Huff Daddy]

09:23 PM on 04/12/2009

We all know where the other 500 billion would go. It would go to those that do not make enough to pay taxes to begin with & it would go to the health care needs of those who CHOOSE not to carry health care, so they can continue to afford cable TV (on the financed big screen of course) cell phones, Ipods, Wii systems and of course the monthly boat payments. Yeah the actual numbers of those who truly cannot get health care are much much lower than what you have been brainwashed to believe. In more than half the cases, people choose not to pay for it so they can have other things.