Hundreds of Tea Party activists rally in downtown Norfolk

NORFOLK

On the day federal income tax bills came due, hundreds of supporters of the tea party movement gathered Thursday in Town Point Park to cheer as a dozen speakers railed for three hours about the need to change leadership in Washington.

Carrying signs that read, "I will not be a slave to the government," "You said change, not chains" or "You don't work, you don't eat," the crowd roared its approval as supporters were told the grassroots conservative movement has politicians paying close attention.

"The tea party has reflected a tipping point" that is going to require everyone to expect less from government if they want more personal freedom and less taxes, Hampton Roads Tea Party founder Karen Hurd told the throng.

"If we're going to take our government back from tyranny, everything has to be on the table," she said.

Several people sprawled across the lawn said they want everyone in the U.S. House of Representatives to be voted out in the fall elections, while others said they have more of a problem with Democrats than Republicans.

"They don't understand honor and integrity," said Julie Trask, a Chesapeake resident and nurse.

She carried a sign with color pictures of the first three presidents - George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson - with the caption, "Spinning in their graves."

"People think government has to come and save them from things," Trask said. "That's not how it's supposed to work."

Most who were interviewed said their chief concern was the billions of dollars in deficit federal spending, including bailouts for private business and the economic stimulus plan. They worried about saddling their children and grandchildren with a huge national debt and about the government taking greater control of their lives.

Some said they blame former President George W. Bush almost as much as they do President Barack Obama.

"I want to be proud of my country again. I'm not now," said Henry Giese of Virginia Beach.

Tea party organizers said they aren't endorsing any candidates or political party, but that didn't stop many Republican congressional candidates from setting up tables on the edge of the gathering.

The candidates shook hands and worked the crowd as speakers attacked Obama and Democratic leaders for the passage of statutes that mandate everyone have health insurance.

Among the loudest ovation was for E.W. Jackson Jr., leader of the Exodus Faith Ministries in Chesapeake, when he challenged a criticism that the tea party movement is predominantly white.

"I am an American who happens to be black. I'm proud to call myself part of the tea party movement," said Jackson, who added that he takes umbrage at Obama's assertion last year that the United States is not a Christian nation.

"We are not a Muslim country," Jackson said. "We are a Christian country, and we are proud of it."

John Taylor, leader of a Virginia conservative group Tertium Quids, said the tea party's goal doesn't stop with electing new leaders in the fall. It's also to drive progressives, such as Obama, out of government.

"This war will be over when we rip the progressive movement out by it s roots," Taylor told the crowd. "We can do it because the founders were wise enough to put you in charge."

Bill Bartel, (757) 446-2398, bill.bartel@pilotonline.com