10 months ago
More than 300 Central Georgians may fill up the parking lot and streets around the Washington County Courthouse tonight.
Beginning at 6 p.m., its organizer says, residents of Sandersville and other neighboring cities will rally and protest the government's bailouts, increased spending and what he called "spread the wealth" tax policies.
The "tea party" protest, like dozens of others scheduled around Central Georgia and the nation this week, gets its name from the Boston Tea Party -- a revolt that saw colonists angry with "taxation without representation" turn on the policies outlined by the crown in Colonial America.
While no actual tea will be spilled in Washington County tonight, organizer Scott Chapman says the protest does hit home historically.
"We want to let the politicians in our state and federal government know that we are out here, even in rural Georgia," he said. "We do see them and know what's going on. We're not going to sit back and be the silent majority anymore. We are tired and fed up with what's going on and want change to happen."
Chapman says his interest in "change" began a few months ago, after his real estate business hit a rough spell and he started to voice his opinions about government policies through e-mail.
"Being in the construction business here in Sandersville, we're not immune to the slowdown," he said. "We haven't had a lot of projects or sales lately, so I've done research and what I read opened my eyes to what's going on in our government."
Chapman says some guest speakers will be on hand, including an aide to former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, Lloyd Newsome; Virginia Galloway of Americans for Prosperity; and District 142 State Rep. Mack Jackson.
He says other protests are scheduled for Wednesday in Atlanta, Macon and Augusta.
For more information on the "tea party" movement in Central Georgia, contact 478-521-0856.
Vanessa Ruffes contributed to this report.
