Organizers of a protest group calling themselves the Tri-Cities Tea Party say they are a nonpartisan grass-roots group that wants to stop excessive government spending.
"We are not an organization as much as a movement," said Janie McDaniel.
Having no formal board, bylaws or officers, the group does have a mission statement, which espouses free markets, limited government and free markets. Its goal is "to organize like-minded individuals," McDaniel told the Herald's editorial board.
McDaniel, Jerry Martin and Leon Howard said they want the newspaper and public to understand that the Tri-City group does not endorse candidates but vets them for the benefit of its loosely organized members.
Since being formed last February and sponsoring a Tea rally at John Dam Plaza in Richland on April 15, the Tri-City group has gained 118 people registered as website members, McDaniel said.
An estimated 2,000 people attended that several-hour rally.
"We didn't have a voice until then," said Leon Howard, the group coordinator.
"Our goal is to inform people and change the face of Congress in 2010," he said. Approximately 900 people are on the Tea Party's e-mail distribution list.
"We are concerned about fiscal irresponsibility," Howard said, noting that people are upset about the prospect of government-run health care and regulation through cap and trade legislation "being shoved down our throats."
The group doesn't take sides on local issues or candidates, and has seen a need to obtain a nonprofit status, Howard said.
What money the group receives is used to print copies of its brochures and the U.S. Constitution, which are given away at gatherings and events such as the upcoming Veterans Day observances
McDaniel said there is no link between the Tea Party and the Republican Party, nor is there any group that is being targeted for support.
Howard said the Tri-City group is one of about 800 similar grass-roots groups nationwide. They are not a national organization but independent entities.
While some people have come to Tea Party rallies carrying signs that attack President Obama or Democrats, those are individual statements, not the message of the Tea Party organizers, Howard said.
"People are now paying attention to how politicians are voting," McDaniel said.
The Tri-Cities Tea Party stands alone and should not be confused with Tea Party Express, a traveling advocacy group that is making its way across the country to rally interest in bringing political and fiscal change to Congress in 2010.
Martin said he helped the Tea Party Express Rally schedule a stop in Kennewick on Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Southridge High School Auditorium, 3520 S. Southridge Blvd. It will have inspirational speakers and singers in a patriotic celebration.
"Some of us will be there, some will not," McDaniel
said.
-- John Trumbo: 582-1529; jtrumbo@tricityherald.com
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The enthusiastic report Oct. 16, "Hundreds gather for Occupy Tri-Cities," is a prime example of liberal bias in the Tri-City Herald. The headline that hundreds were present was equally misleading.
I attended the rally and my photos show a "crowd" of about 60 people at noon. The "crowd" swelled to about 75 at 12:15 p.m. and grew to a maximum of about 80 at 12:45 p.m.
The people there represented liberals, union members and anti-war activists. Their professionally printed signs said "We Are One" and "Stop the War on Workers."
Community Conversation: Who are these guys?!
Community Conversation: Who are these guys?!
By Jerry Martin, Special to the Tri-City Herald
At the recent Community Conversation on the tea party movement sponsored by the Tri-City Herald and the Dispute Resolution Center of Tri-Cities, participants were invited to submit essays.
For members of the Tri-Cities tea party, the event was a great opportunity to let the community know more about who we are and what we represent.
Tri-City Muslims building relationships
Tri-City Muslims building relationships
When a rock broke a window of the Islamic Center of Tri-Cities four months ago, other Tri-City congregations sent more than enough money to replace the window of the West Richland mosque.
That's the sort of outpouring of support that Tri-City Muslims have seen in the decade following the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
Some Tri-City Muslims feel as if they were attacked on two fronts, as Americans concerned for their country and with their faith becoming a target.
Community Conversation: Trying to understand
Community Conversation: Trying to understand
By Ginger Vetrano, Special to the Tri-City Herald
First, I want to thank the Tri-City Herald and the Dispute Resolution Center of the Tri-Cities for conducting this and other Community Conversations. These quarterly events give us an opportunity to listen and learn from others, as well as focus our own ideas.
Second, I am not a Tri-City Tea Party member nor a sympathizer. I applied to be part of the conversation in order to understand their issues and to meet other members of our community who are enthusiastic about politics and our country.
Parade wasn't hijacked
Parade wasn't hijacked
To correct Joshua Flowers interpretation of the Veterans Day Parade in West Richland being "hijacked" (Letters, Nov. 11), it should be made clear that this was the Tri-Cities Tea Party's third year participating in the parade (we are three years old), the "giant" sign -- Taxed Enough Already -- was 2 feet by 3 feet and is what "TEA" in tea party stands for. The sign on the vehicle said "Tri-Cities Tea Party" and our other, larger sign said: "Tri-Cities TEA Party honors our Veterans!" and "God bless our Warriors!" The car carried a Korean War veteran as a passenger.
We handed out hundreds of American flags and copies of the Constitution and, as the flag bearer for our entry in the parade, I heard much applause and witnessed many salutes to the flag I carried. I heard no boos from the spectators, but anything is possible.
We honor our veterans at all our events and many of us are tea party members and veterans! We make no political statements in the parades and do not hand out any tea party literature.
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