Because I know Taylor loves it when I do this stuff, I put the press flag back in my fedora and hit the street today. Finding some time between classes, I rolled by the White House to see the Tea Party / Tax Day protests today. As I noted during the election, I’m always curious as to how journalists estimate the sizes of crowds at these things. Here’s what I saw:
By my estimation, there were about 500-750 people when I walked by (around 1PM or so). At most there were maybe 1000. From what I’ve read, apparently the crowd directly in front of the White House was dispersed shortly after this, after one protester threw a box of tea over the fence and on the White House lawn. This might have been as big as it was all day.
I couldn’t glean a coherent message from the crowd. A lot of the signs showed federalism messages, and a few were criticizing the Federal Reserve banking system. Most of the speakers were talking on rather empty platitudes, so I couldn’t get any more from the rally. If you’re curious, there’s a growing Wikipedia page outlining the protests with further details.
I for one reject the whole idea of today’s events. The message of the Boston Tea Party is inapposite to this discussion, and I don’t think the Obama tax policy does what they are accusing it of. And as I said yesterday, the gall of those to come to DC from neighboring states and start whining about “taxation without representation” is rather offensive.
Or, as Colin put it: Teabagger protesters – ESPECIALLY in Boston – should be rounded up and forced to attend 6th grade math and history classes.
I’ll be curious to see the numbers tomorrow. For now, here’s the best I could do at giving an accurate picture of the size and scope of the protest.
What numbers were the merry old MSM outlets giving for the teabaggers in DC?
Comment by Colin — 16 April 2009 @ 1:01 pm |
I’ve heard everything from a few hundred to 3000. I’d say it was much, much closer to the former – and like I said, the event was shut the heck down after someone thought it’d be a good idea to toss a sizable quantity of foreign substance on the lawn of the White House.
Comment by Andy — 16 April 2009 @ 1:25 pm |
[...] Andy “on the Road” Sellars citizenjournophotoblogged (portmanteau fail!) his impressions of the D.C. Tea Party, noting well the frustrating [...]
Pingback by Weak Tea « Know Better — 16 April 2009 @ 2:41 pm |
I suspect that the latest compromise regarding state banking regulation points to the influence of large corporations on the Congress as a culprit in the on-going eclipse of federalism. I have just posted on this, in case you are interested.
Comment by euandus — 22 October 2009 @ 11:07 am |