Tea Party gets crowd

• By WILL SENTELL
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Apr 16, 2009 - Page: 1A

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Hundreds of people flocked to the State Capitol on Wednesday to protest what they called out-of-control spending and taxation by the federal government.

The 75-minute gathering, dubbed the Baton Rouge Tea Party, was part of a nationwide series of rallies that backers said show voter frustration with mounting federal debt and excessive government interference.

Robert Hartner, of Gurley, La. 53, said he attended the rally because Americans are “taxing ourselves into an abyss” from which the nation will never recover.

“U.S. congressmen and senators need to understand that they are working for the American people, not the American people working for them,” Hartner said.

Critics called the gatherings right-wing rallies and thinly veiled attacks on President Barack Obama.

Thousands of protesters, some dressed like Revolutionary War soldiers, gathered around the nation for rallies modeled after the Boston Tea Party 236 years ago.

They picked the federal income tax filing deadline to pour out frustration with spending since Obama took office.

Gathering sites included Atlanta, Frankfort, Ky., and Des Moines, Iowa. Large rallies were planned in California and New York.

Official crowd estimates here were not available. The Associated Press estimated a crowd of at least 1,000 at the State Capitol. Organizers claimed a turnout of at least 3,000. Protesters filled much of the south steps of the State Capitol and spilled into a nearby parking lot.

Many carried small U.S. flags or toted signs with messages like “Hostage Of Beltway Pirates” and “7 Years Old and Already In Debt.” Chants of “USA, USA” erupted several times.

Former Gov. Buddy Roemer said he attended the rally because he is worried about America’s future.

Roemer, a Republican, said recent federal spending bills mean the national debt will double in five years and triple in nine years.

“I am concerned,” he said. “A nation that takes on this debt will pay the price.”