Tea Party – Boiling Springs, SC July 4th, 2009
Posted by Al @ 3:54 pmJul 4
I attended the Tea Party in Boiling Spring, SC today which featured Alan Keyes as guest speaker. I was surprised by the turnout of at least 300, considering it is was in a kind of tucked away area. Overall, the atmosphere was pleasant. I was kind of taken back by the skinheads present and the lack of minorities, but all and all it was a good showing. Here is the audio of Alan Keyes speech: part 1, part 2, part 3
In case you didn’t read it, here is Alan Keyes’ column in worldnetdaily.com , in his own words, on why he was having tea in Boiling Springs, SC.
Because organizers there did not shy try to discourage me from presenting what I believe to be the true and essential message about the crisis the United States now faces. I believe it’s a crisis that goes beyond Obama and his determination to drive America over the cliff of socialist self-destruction. It goes beyond the willingness of self-serving elites to plunge generations of Americans into enslaving national debt that will hollow out both our economic strength and our liberty. I cannot talk about the crisis that grips us today without reference to the collapse of moral principle and national character that lies at the root of it.
A great speaker as a defender of liberty
I noticed a lot of anti-Obama literature andsigns when we arrived, so it had the feel of a Republican rally. When we arrived, Ms. Christina Jeffrey, who is running for political office, was all about the (R) party. She kept bashing the (D) and saying the (R) needed to take back control of Congress and the White House. After I heard that, I just tuned her out and handed out fliers about this movement not being a (R)/(D) movement. It also advertised The Liberty Journal website.
We need to grow this more and plan these once every 3 month. The more we have them, the more people will start to attend. When Boiling Spring had their Tea Party this past April, only about 150 people showed up. Three months later, well over 300 showed. Even though it’s the 4th of July, that double the attendees. Support you local Tea Parties.
Here are more pics from the rally.
Story Amended July 5, 2009
The Spartanburg Herald write-up on the story on July 5, 2009. They estimated the crowd between 600-800, so I missed by several hundred. Way to go Upstate.
Nice Poster
Nice Poster
Attendees
Attendees
Legalize Liberty - Sign of the times
Declaration of Liberty Flag - Nice
Very fitting apparel
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13 blog comments
Comment by frank jackson on July 5, 2009 at 8:53 am
I really REALLY wanted to go but out of town…I will be at the next one though…Thanks sooo much for your report on the rally…
Comment by Sandi on July 5, 2009 at 11:39 am
I hope I can find a video of Dr Keyes’ speech somewhere….That was amazing!!
Comment by Roger Woodard on July 5, 2009 at 5:42 pm
I attended the TEA Party yesterday, though I live in Kings Mountain, NC. I came there because of Alan Keyes. In my estimation the 300 estimate of the crowd is woefully low. There were people under the trees & out away from the center, still a disappointing number.
I too was dismayed that the only people of color I saw was a friend & his wife I had invited. There appeared to be a disapportive number of biker, skin head types & I think that hurts the image of the movement. If we can be marginalized as a redneck, rebel movement, we’ll lose. While we need everyone, we must put a better face on the movement.
Thank you Bradys for pioneering the event. I was impressed with your work. Keep it up & on to victory!
Comment by Sue on July 5, 2009 at 7:53 pm
I thought the Boiling Springs Tea Party was very organized and, of course,
Dr. Keyes was wonderful! It was great seeing so many young people
there and all of the children were so well-behaved.
Comment by Maria Brady on July 6, 2009 at 8:06 am
Hello all! I am the organizer of the event. The Spartanburg Herald as usual underestimated the event. The quote of 600-800 came from interview with Council woman Jane Hall, a very dear friend of mine, as you first entered the park to meet me and Dr. Keyes behind the stage. She had not yet even entered the park. In actuallity, there were well over 2000 people attend the event. Park director, Cleon Graves, was amazed as he circled the park. there were crowds of people that were not directly in front of the stage area due to the sun, but off to both sides in the shade that lined the park. According to Graves, after circling the park several times, he gave up trying to count when he reached over 2000. How bout someone being brave enough to actually give these brave citizens credit for coming out and making a stand against larger government. And to correct another statement made by the writer above, Christina Jeffrey did not mention the office she was running for. A pre-requisite made by the organizers of the event. We were not pushing any political agenda, as the event was totally bi-partisan. Citizens were allowed to express their anger and comments against the tyrants that have been destroying our country. I am proud of our citizens and patriots!
Comment by Rick The Tall Security Guy on July 6, 2009 at 8:35 am
I am a Deputy Sheriff accustomed to dealing with crowds. This event was well organized, the crowd was huge, and I agree with the Park Director’s estimate that there were more than 2,000 people in attendance.
Why are people not praising Alan Keyes for coming? Why are they criticizing the event for the lack of minorities? Whose fault is that?
My mother, Christina Jeffrey, gave a stirring short, nonpartisan speech on tea parties and political parties. She did not praise a political party. She did praise tea parties. She also explained the difference between today’s tea parties, which have the luxury of pushing ballots, and the 1773 Tea party which actually resorted to the destruction of property and led to a war.
Her point? Our Founding Fathers did not have ballots; they HAD to use bullets to win our freedom. But, as she said, we can and must protect our freedom with ballots. All of the speakers said as much.
No patriot, who actually heard the speech, could draw the conclusions drawn by Al.
But do you dare to publish this comment?
Rick
Comment by Rick The Tall Security Guy on July 6, 2009 at 8:52 am
This is an addendum to my previous post about Dr. Jeffrey’s speech. Obviously, Al does not know who she is or what she’s suffered for the movement from both political parties, or he would never have said what he said about her.
BTW, I did not personally count the crowd, I concentrated on watching the skinheads, all 5 of them, one of whom was a girl with no tatoos. To their credit, they watched peacefully and left at 12:30.
How do I know? I followed them out and left myself at that time, since there wasn’t enough to do to justify a dozen security officers!
On my way out, I did count the people on the sidewalk–there were nearly 200, just on the sidewalk!
Again, I dare you to publish this post! Many are called, but few are brave.
Rick
Comment by Marieta on July 6, 2009 at 9:37 am
I’m writing this to help clear up some of the misconceptions of the Boiling Springs TEA party. I was there also and there were people spread all over the park there was a minimum of 2000 people there. many were spread out in the shady areas. As for the so called skin heads and bikers there. I saw two “skin heads” who were squated quietly watching the speakers. The so called “bikers” were possibly from the Rolling Thunder which is a veteran biker group. Someone needs to do there homework before labeling these people and groups. There are many “biker” groups and each help many charities every year that the public never even hear about They escort funerals and are there for each other. These people have as much God given right to be there as you and I. The event had plenty of security if needed. All in all the event was well planned and no one was pushing any type of political agenda. These TEA parties are not political they are a way and means to inform the public of what our government is doing that you will NEVER hear from the press.
Comment by Scott on July 6, 2009 at 10:29 am
I can only speak for myself, but I saw Al’s report on the event as very positive, with only minor criticisms.
Many of us have lost trust in the GOP and feel we’ve been let down by most of them. It’s fine to bash the Democrats and they certainly deserve it for their contribution to the mess we find ourselves in. However, the GOP is certainly to blame as well. Most of us don’t care to hear how the GOP needs to take back control at one of the Tea Party rallies. That is not the proper venue for that message. We would prefer to hear equal criticisms of all who are culpable, no matter their political party affiliation.
I’ve viewed Christina Jeffrey’s website and I tend to agree with her positions. She purports to be fiscally conservative and a defender of the constitution so I could see myself casting a vote for her.
Perhaps some of you are a little too close to the event, and the speakers, so it’s understandable that you would be somewhat sensitive to criticism.
As far as daring us to publish a comment, we believe in free speech around here and opinions will never be censored. We only ask that a few basic rules be followed (as described in our forum section), one being no direct personal attacks against TLJ members.
“We need more civility in our civil discourse” – Pastor Rick Warren
Comment by Al on July 6, 2009 at 11:21 pm
I had the opportunity today to meet the organizers of the Boiling Springs Tea Party, Mike and Maria Brady. I wanted to let them know the wonderful job they did with putting together such an organized and well thought out event. It turns out the event had close to 2,000 attendees. I underestimated the crowd due to the fact so many people sought refuge under all the huge trees on site on that hot day. After looking at more pictures of all the people at the event, I can say, without a doubt, I grossly underestimated the crowd size.
We hope that Maria and Mike sponsor more events for liberty-minded, freedom loving patriots like myself. This was truly a pure grass roots event. I really enjoyed the July 4th Tea Party. Keep up the great work and let me know if I can be of help at your next freedom/liberty event.
Comment by Rick The Tall Security Guy on July 7, 2009 at 8:28 am
Scott, thank you for your recount.
I am very close to the Tea Party but even closer to my mother
and have been defending her from media attacks since I was
14 years old. Habits like that die hard.
BTW, my Mom brought in Alan Keyes and Louis Ingram for the
Boiling Springs Tea Party, paid for some of the expenses and
worked closely with Maria and Mike
Brady to make the Tea Party a success.
This is the second Brady-Jeffrey Tea Party in Boiling Springs and
there will be more!
By the way, I understand Al and Mom are now good friends.
They bonded at a Constitutional Workshop given by Louis Ingram
last night at the First Baptist Church of Boiling Springs, where btw,
Alan Keyes gave 3 speeches on Sunday.
Ya’ll come to the next Brady-Jeffrey Tea Party!
Comment by Maria Brady on July 7, 2009 at 9:14 am
Per this message below Talbert Black is asking for help of anyone attending the Columbia event. If you can help him please contact him at:
talbertjr1@windstream.net
Thanks to everyone who attended TEA parties this weekend. We had a tremendous success in Columbia with a large crowd of ~1200 or so.
I am looking for video of the speakers in Columbia. If you are anyone you know took video of the speakers at the State House that they are willing to share, please let me know. Thanks!
Best regards,
Talbert J. Black Jr.
(803) 767-1152
SC State Interim Coordinator
Campaign for Liberty
Comment by Felice on July 7, 2009 at 9:22 am
This was my first tea party. I arrived very early so I would be able to have a good spot to listen to Dr. Alan Keyes. As I sat down eating my hot dog, one of the bikers came up to me (I am a female Vietnam-Era Navy Vet) came up to me, shook my hand, and thanked me for my service. I was very honored that he would do so.
I too loved the signs…it did my heart good to see so many people and that they earnestly cared about the direction this country is headed. I talked with people of all ages, and they all want to actively help take back our freedoms.
God Bless America!
Comment by Scott on July 5, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Dr. Keyes' speech is now up on Youtube.
It's located here in 6 parts.
Comment by Al on July 5, 2009 at 12:50 am
I always love the signs. People can be creative when their pissed off.
Of course, several Obama signs, but we knew that.
Comment by Scott on July 5, 2009 at 12:45 am
Keyes usually makes some good points.
Skinheads?
Some pretty cool signs there!