Chicago Tea Party

So I was there, and like a schmoron I forgot to bring a camera.



I must say, for the fact that this was a grassroots movement with about a week to get organized, the turnout was quite encouraging. There were at least 300, maybe closer to 400 in participation. Hats off to Smart Girl Politics, #DontGo, Americans for Tax Reform, the HeartlandInstitute, American Spectator Magazine and anyone else involved with the planning.

I was nervous walking to Daley plaza before the event, because it didn't seem that I was bumping into anyone else headed to the teaparty along the way. However Daley plaza was pretty crowded when I arrived and more people filed in before we began the march. All of the local news networks were on hand.

Tony Perica was there, and it appeared that a few of the protesters were giving him a little grief for trying to get in on the act. I for one was glad to see some elected officials out showing support for the event. Some self appointed leader started shouting "Don't Tread On Me!" at the cameras, which was a little annoying, but my worst fears, that some true racist nutcases would show up to intermingle with the rest of the protesters, were soon allayed. I groaned when I saw one or two posters of Obama with a Hitler mustache--if anything was going to make it on the news, that would be it--but by and large, it was a bunch of sensible, peaceful conservatives who were outraged by the Porkulus bill.

We marched down Dearborn to Wacker, and over to Michigan. As we neared Michigan I turned around and saw that the marchers stretched back along Wacker as far as the eye could see. We ended up in front of Tribune Tower, where more cameras and reporters awaited us. Someone from #Dontgo grabbed a megaphone and launched into a speech that, among other things made it pretty clear to Perica & co. that Republicans are not going to get a pass if they don't stand up against Obama's socialist agenda. There was also "Sam Adams," resplendant in powered wig and colonial garb, who provided some comic relief as well.

All in all, I feel that the event was a success. We definitely got noticed, and when multiplied by the dozens of other cities that held tea parties today, I think it amounts to a not insignificant shot across the bow of the SS Obama. The important thing is to make sure that the momentum continues to build rather than ebb. And to that end, I hope the planners make the most of the time between now and the July 4th event to make sure the next tea party is conducted on a much more massive scale, with far greater turnout.

Special kudos to Chicago's Finest. The police in our escort were outstanding. At no point were things tense, and the cops were always polite and courteous. They knew they weren't being forced to escort the usual radical crazies they get stuck with at these sorts of events, and you could generally tell that they were in agreement with us even if they weren't allowed to say anything. The police really made the event all the more enjoyable.

Here's looking at July.