Amid American flags and "don't tread on me" banners, former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and other prominent members of the Tea Party movement spoke yesterday morning to large crowds at Boston Common about the dangers of extensive government spending and intervention.
"The big government, big debt agenda is over," Palin said. "We are voting them out … we must restore balance and common sense."
Though there was no official police estimate, sources put the crowd's size in the thousands.
The rally, which occurred on the eve of tax day, was the second−to−last stop in a national tour that began on March 27 in Searchlight, Nev. The tour featured a series of speakers showcasing the Tea Party platform of small government and a strict interpretation of the Constitution.
"We believe in expanding freedom and opportunity for all, not the intrusive reach of government into our lives and businesses," Palin said.
Chairman of the Tea Party Express Mark Williams emphasized that the Tea Party is not simply a political party. "We are a constitutional movement," Williams said. "Massachusetts is a blue−collar, working−stiff state, and we're reclaiming it for America."
Amy Kremer, Tea Party Express director of grassroots and coalitions, likewise argued that the Tea Party movement appeals to constituents across political parties.
"We vote on principles and values; we don't vote on the letter next to a person's name," Kremer said. "We are here to take back our country."
Rally−goers expressed similar sentiments.
"I'm here because of a general disgust with the incompetence and arrogance of the government about every issue, from Democrats to Republicans," Jim Hermance told the Daily.
Tea Party speakers stressed the need to ensure that the government truly serve the needs of the people, highlighting the role of the government as described in the Constitution.
"This is about the people," Palin said. "This is the people's movement … We are going to put the government back on the side of the people … The Constitution provides the perfect path to a perfect union. The government that governs least governs best."
Some rally−goers agreed with many of the anti−large government sentiments expressed in the rally.
"I believe in small government," Jan Solley, a participant from Maine, told the Daily. "Big government leads to a loss of freedom, and health care is simply an assault on our freedoms. I'm appalled at the government spending, and we cannot continue on this crash course of spending."
Palin's remarks about excessive spending seemed to target the recently passed health care bill, which, along with other reforms undertaken by the Obama administration like the student loan system and auto industry bailout, she labeled radical changes that will hinder the economy.
"We need to cut spending to fix the economy," Palin said.
Tea Party Express speaker John Phillip Sousa IV condemned the health care bill in more explicit terms.
"We want a simple solution to the ills of our medical system and we have the right to protest the arrogant abuses of our government," Sousa said.
Palin also addressed the United States' dependence on foreign oil, calling for the country to boost energy production through nuclear sources, clean coal and off−shore drilling.
"We can be energy independent; we just need the political will," Palin said. "Energy in America is security for America, so yeah, let's drill baby drill!"
Kremer cited the victory of Sen. Scott Brown (R−Mass.) in January and Congressman Bart Stupak's (D−Mich.) recent decision not to seek re−election as indicators of the growing movement's success.
The rally, however, drew many protestors, with chants from dissenting groups at times obscuring the speakers' remarks.
One group of protestors — the Raging Grannies — clad in rainbow attire and peace signs, demonstrated their dissent through song.
"We are for peace," Laurie Taymor−Berry, a member of the Raging Grannies, told the Daily. "We sing songs about ending the war, foreclosures and economic justice to familiar tunes."
