Tea Party Photos: Tax Day Protests From Across The Country (SLIDESHOW)

HuffPost has comprehensive coverage of the Tax Day Tea Party protests. Click here for the latest photos and video. CLICK HERE to be alerted about future reporting projects.

More than 2,000 HuffPost citizen journalists signed up to report on their local tea parties, sending photos, videos, and written dispatches, and we've already received hundreds of photos (the complete Flickr slideshow is below, or check out the photostream here).

Below, some stand-out slideshows, beginning with the 10 most offensive tea party signs we've seen:

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Photo courtesy of Jesse Russell in Madison, WI.

Here's a slideshow of children carrying signs during the rallies:

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The tax-paying public weren't the only ones protesting on Wednesday. Those who still keep their savings in a piggy bank were out in force. Children appeared as eager to voice their grievances as their older counterparts--photo by Aggie Yeakel in Panama City, FL.

Professional photographer Mathieu Young sent us these pictures from Fresno, CA., which had one of the largest Tea Party protests in the country. According to organizers, over 7,500 people were in attendance.

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Young man looking forward to President Barack Obama's last day in office--photo by Mathieu Young

Story continues below

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This slideshow features some more great submissions from HuffPost citizen reporters:

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The Statue of Liberty crying over the financial crisis in Columbia, SC--photo by W. Salter

The Web's creative commons also holds a wealth of photographs from the tea party protests. Here are some of the highlights:

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And last but definitely not least, here's the Flickr feed featuring hundreds of photos from HuffPost citizen reporters around the country:

Become a fan HuffPost Politics on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

Comments

[WasteNJ]

Angry mobs of white people carrying signs that portray racism and threaten violence and "hanging" of US officials and the President. Were't these rallies called "Klan Rallies" last year?

Oh, when will the persecution of White America stop! It's been almost 100 days!

[JHancock]

Any one get any photos of cross burnings?

[kindGSL]

The MTV 'attitude' was carefully crafted. I could explain it, but you all don't seem to want to know.

Now, it's cool to be kind.

Why? Because of my girl scout political action leadership project, of course.

We've been working on it for six years. I usually post in AlterNet, where there's a lot more freedom of speech.

The younger generation is really hooked into it. Older people, not so much. Reporters, not at all.

Personally, I am completely disgusted with HuffPost and other 'liberal' media. They were so needlessly dismissive about the Tea Party protests, it really was quite offensive.

Rachel Maddow really showed her contempt about these people. I found that just plain shocking. I thought so much better of her, but not anymore.

Same with HuffPost, their "liberal" bias is hardly liberal, it is stupidly reactionary, exactly what they accuse conservatives of. I don't see the unity or political persuasiveness of that. In fact, I think we can see the political impact of MTV in that.

I am running for congress, California, 10th District, when Ellen Tausher is confirmed by the US Senate. Not only running, I'm going to win.

I am leading this youth based political movement, the Tea Party was our baby. Reporters are in denial about it, once again mystified by the big cultural changes.

Maybe, if HuffPost had allowed me to post with more freedom of speech, then HuffPost reporters would know what was going on with my big political movement. Maybe.

[KatieHW]

The "liberal media" was dismissive of the tea party protests because they were stupid. The people who protested displayed a shocking level of ignorance, misconception, and bigotry--political and racial. If you're in sympathy with the lies and distortions of the tea-party crowd, then nobody with any political awareness or rationality is interested in your "big political movement." That's why your message isn't well-received--not because your "freedom of speech" is curtailed, but because nobody with half a brain wants to read ill-formed, irrational perspectives. Get back to the reactionary right blogs where you belong. They'll be happy to share your inanity.

[G FORCE]

Somethings Never change.
http://gothamist.com/2009/01/23/greenwich_village_bakery_selling_dr.php
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/19/new-york-post-employees-u_n_168267.html

[CAHertzfe]

Its amazing how many people are making over $250,000 after deductions. Boy, I sure did take a wrong turn in life!

[jozinha]

LOL!

It's a form of Stockholm Syndrome. They love their overlords.

[G FORCE]

RACIST AMERICA AT THE CORE, LOOKS ALL TO FAMILIAR!
http://gothamist.com/2009/01/23/greenwich_village_bakery_selling_dr.php
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/19/new-york-post-employees-u_n_168267.html

[jozinha]

The signs. The signs were... not good. If you don't see that, then there's no point in discussing anything further. Even the John Bir ch So ciety (THEY're still alive?) showed up.

The most ironic sign was the one wanting Milton Friedman back -- the very economist-ideologue who spurred this globalization cat as trophe -- the very figure they should be carrying protest signs against!

Let me get this straight, Friedman's ideas have been totally discredited by our financial meltdown, but please bring him back from the grave because we still agree with him...?! What?!

It's really unbelievable the ig norance, the low level of education and facts. Obama is actually SAVING capitalism and our banking infrastructure, and attempting to resurrect a financial system that has recently imploded on itself, much to the chagrin of us liberals! Has cultural panic ro bbed these people of their ability to think? Were they always this in s ane?

I am dis gus ted. I knew this country had an u g ly side. I'm sorry I had to actually see it.

[spazzmeister]

I feel sorry for the kids
So much diversity in the photos
I didnt know there were so many angry people in the USA
What about the shooting incidents? Is this BO's fault too?

[WasteNJ]

What diversity? Diversity in age? Everybody is white.

[jozinha]

The signs. The signs were... not good. If you don't see that, then there's no point discussing anything further. Even the John Bir ch So ciety (THEY're still alive???!!!) showed up.

The most ironic sign was the one wanting Milton Friedman back -- the very economist-ideologue who spurred this globalization catas trophe -- the very figure they should be carrying protest signs about! It's really unbelievable the ig norance, the low level of education and facts. Obama is actually SAVING capitalism and our banking infrastructure, and attempting to resurrect a financial system that has recently committed sui cide, much to the chagrin of us liberals! Has cultural panic ro bbed these people of their ability to think? Were they always this ins ane?

I am dis gus ted. I knew this country had an u g ly side. I'm sorry I had to actually see it.

Of all the pics the one that symbolizes it all is the one of the long line to use the porto po tties. Because they were all full of sh.....

[jozinha]

The signs. The signs were... not good. The signs are h8 signs. If you don't see that, then there's no point discussing anything further. Even the John Bir ch Society (THEY're still alive???!!!) showed up.

The most ironic sign was the one wanting Milton Friedman back -- the very economist-ideologue who spurred this globalization catas trophe -- the very figure they should be carrying h8 signs about! It's really unbelievable the ig norance, the low level of education and facts. Obama is actually SAVING capitalism and our banking infrastructure, and attempting to resurrect a financial system that has recently committed sui cide, much to the chagrin of us liberals! Has cultural panic robbed these people of their ability to think? Were they always this ins ane?

I am dis gusted. I knew this country had an ug ly side. I'm sorry I had to actually see it.

Of all the pics the one that symbolizes it all is the one of the long line of wh ite men lined up to use the por to po tties. Because they were all full of sh *t.

[justlisten]

Go ahead make fun of us, say we are old (not true), racist (not true, too many dems amongst us) continue to tell your lies to the public, but lies are all you have and in the end if this nation falls where will the masses escape to. I was proud to have a black man in the white house I just wish he was proud of my country not denigrating it all over the world. We are not a perfect nation and there is need for improvement, but I am proud of my country. I was a republican and will now go independent. The dumb theatrics of the homeland security to try and stop peaceful demonstrations across this country is appalling and to attack our servicemen is obscene. All the Great people who have served our country did so in fear and hardship and deserve an apology.

[KarenT]

You do know that report was requested and completed by the Bush Administration and had nothing to do with repubs or dems. They were referring to right wing exremists. There have been previous reports on left wing extremists. And Obama has improved our image around the world with one trip. That's how much damage Bush did.

[CAHertzfe]

Would be nice if you went back to just listening. You may learn the truth rather than listen to FAUX news.

[jozinha]

An apology for what? For not getting their facts straight? They should apologize to the rest of the country for embarrassing themselves.

But if it will make you feel any better, I was at the Inauguration, and the way the police and Homeland Security handled that was scandalous! It was a miracle there weren't stampeded deaths involved. But everyone was so happy that we managed to survive the worst crowd management I've ever seen. And I hope to never experience again.

[WasteNJ]

Please stay a Republican, Independents are fine without you. News flash, some Dems are racist too. Please stop weeping and feeling sorry for yourselves, a good fighter picks himself up and learns from the loss. A scrub goes back to the gym and cries.

[surfcitysteven]

Dems can't be racist? Disagree there, I know a few dems that are very bigoted and refused to vote for Obama simply because of that. Some fence-straddling dems truly suk. Stop with the fib, the footage is out, these t-baggies were all about hating Obama, nothing else.

[justlisten]

What happened to all the great journalist, even when I didn't agree I enjoyed their coverage of the news. I appreciated the talent they had and their desire to uncover the truth. Now sad to say they report only what they are told to report and nothing else. The "Tea Parties", which are barely being covered by the major networks, are nonpartisan. WE DON'T WANT THE STUPID POLITICIANS TO EVEN SHOW UP! They are just trying to take advantage of the situation to campaign. They are the problem! The Tea Partiers are gay, straight, black, white, latinos, christian, non-christian, jews, Democrats, Republicans and Independents. WE ARE "AMERICANS", WE ARE FRUSTRATED "AMERICANS", WE ARE FED UP "AMERICANS" AND WE ARE TIRED "AMERICANS"!!!! And as tired and angry and frustrated as we are the underlying theme is that we are Americans and love our country and the constitution actually means something to us.

[jozinha]

The Constitution was critically abridged almost 100 years ago when Congress created The Federal Reserve. It sounds like it is part of the government, doesn't it? But it's not. It is owned and run for and by the banks. The Congress gave away its monetary function to a private organization.

It is what has created your feeling of frustration, but you don't know this. In fact, you would be just as happy as a clam about The Fed if all those regulations that were passed after our last financial meltdown had been kept in place. But without them it is clear how utterly oppressive and chaotic our supposed "capitalist" system is. The Fed is supposed to steady the system against these meltdowns, but it never has -- because it really doesn't have the tools to do it, particularly in this day of globalized "trade" and computing. All it can do is care first and foremost about the banks. And this is indeed what is happening now, although you don't see that for some reason.

Obama is capitulating to this status quo mainly because at this point he can't do anything else. It is no different than what anyone else would do, but once again you can't see that.

I wonder why...

[CAHertzfe]

FAUX News Junkie

[Grokker]

woohoo, three of my photos were used in the children's slideshow!

if you want to see more of the pictures from the "baton rouge tea party," i've posted about 60 at http://www.flickr.com/photos/37475268@N06/sets/72157616789701177/

the baton rouge turnout was pretty huge, in the thousands. it was just a tiny bit frightening, but for a native and recovering republican, it was mostly just amusing. cajuns are funny when they're mad :)

[bardot8613]

During drive time - in the Providence, RI area - it is truly distressing to monitor what is being offered on talk radio. The constant harangue against President Obama, Mrs. Obama, ... the constancy of this vitriolic spewing - from station to station is really pitiful. And it cannot be good for the country. After hearing the complaints about Mrs. Obama constantly wearing false eyelashes .... the only phrase that comes to mind. for these chicken hawk desk jockeys... is 'have you no shame?'. We only have one president at a time ... and the claptrap - the non stop claptrap, with much of it venomous - may well result in some fool trying to hurt the President or a member of his family.

Barry Levy

[nicole473]

Okay, I've been making fun of them on my blog, but I am now confessing. These people are downright scary. Low iqs, guns, and insane rhetoric just don't mix well.

[DuncanONeil]

But how do you propose we remove all these guns from the criminals? I mean the real criminals, not just the people you do not like.

[nicole473]

I have no idea. And the real crim.inals appear to fit right in with current repub ideology.

[Constitutionalist1]

Leave guns out of this.

Thomas Jefferson said: "No man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government­........An­d what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not .warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms.... The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

James Madison said, "The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation ... [where] the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms."

Alexander Hamilton said, "If the representatives of the people betray their constituents, there is no recourse left but in the exertion of that original right of self-defense which is paramount to all forms of positive government."

Richard Henry Lee said, "To preserve liberty it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."

[WATCHDOG1]

Can we order an I.Q. test for these tea-baggers?... Something tells me that we're dealing with very low intelligence levels... And something very strange happened to their short-term memories... They always go after the wrong guy... Instead of Osama Bin Laden they go after Sadaam Hussain... Instead of George Bush they go after Barrack Obama. Maybe one day they will wake up and realize that instead of pointing the finger at someone else, they should have pointed it at themselves! Oh, what am I thinking... Republicans are the real Americans that stand for what's right.... It's been the blood, sweat, and tears of the Republicans that have given us our freedom and democracy. George Bush, the draft dodger... Sara Palin, the "real" American joke that is keeping an eye on Russia from her house... Dick Cheney, kept us safe, "except on 9/11". It's been the Republicans that have kept government spending under control. I'm serious.... WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE??? JUST PLAIN CRAZY STUPID!!!

[HyperInfluential]

Well, the long-term effects of fluoridated water were not properly studied before the treatment was carried out. Apparently, this is what happens.

[Constitutionalist1]

That's right...because Clinton wasn't a liar and a draft dodger? If he had stepped up to the plate and acted on Bin Laden, 9/11 would not have happened. What about the joke of a VP Bumbling Joe Biden? What about the biggest criminal in Congress Barney Frank?

With the current Looney Left lineup, we're really up the creek without a paddle. Thank God Obama is snuggling up to communists and self-admitted America haters Hugo Chavez and the Castro brothers. That will save us. What is it with his attraction to radical leftists??

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." - Jefferson

[CAHertzfe]

Go back into your cave and play with your fire. We'll let you know when it's safe to come out.

[surfcitysteven]

It is the "blood sweat and tears" of republicans that gave us our freedom? Rhetorically speaking, the last election was pretty "bloody" for republicans, they did "sweat" a lot as the results came in, and then their "tears" started flowing after the results were tallied. And today, we are more free. I guess you are right.