1,500 protest tax-and-spend trend at Savannah 'tea party'

Some carried signs declaring "Fire Congress" and "Don't steal, the government doesn't like competition."

Others waved yellow flags depicting coiled snakes and proclaiming, like some banners of the American Revolution, "Don't tread on me."

Watch video from Wednesday's event.

Joining a nationwide anti-tax protest, an estimated 1,500 people crammed Rousakis Plaza on the Savannah riverfront Wednesday for a "tea party" repeated in many towns and cities across the nation. The parties were reminiscent of the original Boston Tea Party of 1773, in which colonists in Massachusetts protested England's tax mandates by dumping bags of raw tea off three British ships into Boston Harbor.

View photos from the event on the Savannah riverfront.

The throng in downtown Savannah roared approval as speaker after speaker said the government taxes and spends too much.

"Party like it's 1773," one sign urged.

"Tea'd off," another nearby placard proclaimed.

In contrast to the pre-Revolutionary War party in Boston, no tea landed in Savannah's harbor Wednesday. But there was talk of revolution at the ballot box - and of sending tea bags and strong messages to Washington.

"We want our country back," said master of ceremonies Bill Edwards. "We're the boss. We pay their salaries."

Some speakers lashed out at the policies of Democratic President Barack Obama.

View more photos from the Coastal Georgia Tea Party.

But Edwards, a local radio personality, also lamented that "Republicans trying to do Democrat Lite haven't done the job."

Obama has said - and he repeated in a speech Tuesday - that his programs are needed to restart a stalled economy.

But that didn't sell Wednesday on Savannah's riverfront.

"We need real change, not fake change," said Bonnie Ell, of Savannah, who wore a tiny American flag in her hair. "Stop spending our money."

Few people wore coats and ties; many opted for jeans, boots, work shoes and T-shirts.

Some pushed children in strollers; others pushed themselves in wheelchairs.

A few dangled tea bags from placards and sunglasses.

Feet tapped joyfully as a loudspeaker blared country singer John Rich's working class anthem, "They're Shutting Detroit Down."

Many upset

People in the crowd said they were frustrated and afraid.

"I can't see that my grandchildren are going to have anything left," said Ouida Vayfield of Savannah. "I love them too much to let it all go."

Despite the angry tone of some demonstrators, others offered a light touch to the protest.

"Coffee, tea or taxes," said one woman who offered people tea bags.

Meanwhile, tourists cast curious stares.

A few Democratic activists also looked on.

"I'm just watching it go down and checking out signs," said Gunner Hall, an Obama supporter.

Some local public officials - among them state Reps. Buddy Carter and Ron Stephens, both Republicans - attended to show their support.

"There are some upset people here, and they have reason to be upset," Carter said.

Chatham County Commissioner Patrick Farrell said it was the largest crowd he has seen at a political event in recent years.

He and fellow GOP commissioner Helen Stone said they would vote against any county budget that includes a property tax-millage increase.

Later Wednesday, some protesters marched from the county courthouse to City Hall.

More than a day

The rally - and others like it elsewhere - were timed to coincide with the April 15 federal income tax filing deadline. But Marolyn Overton, one of the organizers, said the local event was "not a one-stop shot."

Instead, Overton insisted, it was the beginning of a movement to "take over our government."

Coming soon, she added, is a Web-based initiative to lobby Congress.

"The tea bags we are sending to Washington," she said, "are the opening salvo in our fight."