On April 15, over 1,000 area citizens gathered in Memorial Park in Kingsport to object to high taxes and federal spending. The TEA party started around three o’clock and lasted until about five.  There was music, signs, and speakers such as former Tennessee Congressman David Davis.

It was a fairly cold spring day, causing everyone to bundle up in their scarves and boots. The majority of people were gathered around the podium listening to the current speaker; others were standing on the sidewalk waving signs at people in vehicles passing by.

It made for a loud, busy environment. Conversations were taking place all around, horns honking, music playing, people screaming, “NO MORE TAXES!”. A lot of energy and a passionate vibe filled the air.

James Queen, the organizer of the Kingsport TEA party, said the protest was a great way for people in this area “to go and vent their frustration about our out-of-control government polices.”

This TEA party was a followup to one much smaller held on Feb. 27, prompted by the announced federal bailouts. The protests have come about by the outrage of the “flawed ‘stimulus bill’ and pork filled budget,” organizers say.

John James, a former worker for Eastman, who was at the Kingsport event, spoke his feelings on taxes this way: “I do not feel that it is my responsibility to pay for all the petty things that the government wants to advance. My money is MY money, and it is not their place to tell me when and how I should spend it. If I wanted to give it to the poor, I would; if I wanted to give it to the research of bees, I would.”

John wore a hat with tea bags hanging from the cap, to reiterate his view: Taxed Enough Already. 

Some have identified TEA parties as a radical right movement, but Kingsport protesters identified themselves as liberals, conservatives, independents and libertarians. There was even a sign that stated, “I hate republicans, but I hate taxes more!”

Other signs they carried included these messages: “I am NOT your ATM,” and “WORK HARDER!! Politicians want YOUR money!”

Participants said they wanted their voices heard and they don’t feel that the government is listening to them. In the view of Sandra “Sally” Pierson, a citizen of Jonesborough, “The government works for me. I don’t work for them.”