By Brandi Watters, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
ANDERSON — Grant Wells thrust his sign high into the air Wednesday, hoping to catch the attention of passing motorists.
The 9-year-old’s sign was competing with dozens of other colorful posters protesting taxes and government spending, but the Anderson student was determined to grab attention.
“You keep your change and I’ll keep mine,” the sign read.
An obvious reference to the “Change we need” campaign of President Barack Obama, the poster drew knowing smiles and raised eyebrows from those who witnessed the protest. But Wells admitted he had no idea what the sign meant.
His mother, Brenda Fillmon of Anderson, said she brought her son and herself out in the cold to the corner of 8th and Main streets in Anderson on Wednesday to make a statement about the government’s misuse of tax dollars.
Fillmon and her son were only two of the nearly 100 local residents who filled the corner near the Madison County Courthouse touting signs of protest as part of the national tea party inspired by Fox News host Glenn Beck.
The event took place in cities across the nation as people protested high taxes and wasteful government spending in homage of the 1773 Boston Tea Party where American colonists tossed tea into the Boston harbor to protest British taxation without representation.
Picket signs raised by protesters ranged from angry to comical:
• “Next time, read the bill. I can spend my money better than the government.”
• “Socialism will destroy America.”
• “I’ll take my freedom, my money and my guns. You can keep the change.”
• “Obamanomics: Trickle up poverty.”
Though no one threw tea into the White River on Wednesday, protesters adorned their hats, eye glasses and clothing with tea bags attached to strings.
Jan Boaz of Middletown wore her tea bags in a blue hat meant to shelter her from the cold wind that beat against the faces of her fellow protesters.
She braved the cold because she said she’s sick of the government spending her money irresponsibly.
Her husband, Mike Boaz, said the demonstration went beyond party lines. “It’s not a party thing. The Democrats and Republicans are spending us deeper into debt.”
The result of the spending, he said, is higher taxes and an oppressed American workforce. “We feel like we’re working for the government instead of the government working for us.”
Anderson resident Don Gray said the government abuse began 200 years ago when states tried to secede but were stopped by Abraham Lincoln and the Union army.
Since then, he said, states’ rights, and the rights of the people, have been slowly chipped away.
The recent stimulus bill, he said, was the last straw. “I’m sick and tired of the power of the people being usurped by the current government.”
He is not an extremist, Gray argued. “I’m an American who’s tired of the Constitution being raped.”
Anderson resident David Orick organized the local protest and said doing so attracted at least one dozen death threats from anonymous callers.
He didn’t take the threats seriously, and pushed forward with the protest because he believes the government is abusing its power, and the current administration is leaning towards socialism.
Though Orick is not rich, he does not believe rich Americans should have to spread their wealth. “I want to get up and go to work and earn my money like everyone should.”
Korean war veteran Robert Marsh attended the rally for political reasons, but said he was moved by the turnout. “It does my heart good to see all these people come out here and stand for something.”
Contact Brandi Watters 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com
