Today, millions of Americans gathered in Washington, D.C. as protestors against burdensome and overbearing government. They call their protests tea parties, after the Boston Tea Party. They arrived from every part of America, and exercised their constitutional rights of speech and peaceable assembly. They spent their own money for travel, accommodations, and to make their own signs and banners.
Like all peaceful protestors before them, of either the right or the left, they have faced criticism from a small number of Americans who are contemptuous of our tradition of freedom when it does not suit their interests. As with most protests so large, not all of those attending were of a like mind on all issues.
In recent weeks, I’ve met people who have been infuriated at protests like these, decrying some of the rhetoric at the events.
These events certainly aren’t purely libertarian — some of the positions taken aren’t libertarian at all.
For a libertarian take on today’s national protest, see Reason‘s Matt Welch’s “Quick Impressions of the D.C. 9/12 Protest.”
America has always been a place of vigorous, and sometimes acerbic, commentary. There were different groups of protestors a few years ago; they’ll be different ones a few years from now. America will go on just fine. Much better for it all, actually.
Far closer to home, in Jefferson, Wisconsin, there was a local tea party protest. I stopped by, took some photographs, and talked with some of the protestors. Many with whom I spoke identified themselves as independents, unaffiliated with either major party.
Some said they had never protested against anything before in their lives. I asked one elderly woman, who told me this was her first protest, how she felt about attending. I teased her, and told her she was a dissenter now, part of a long tradition of protest in America. How’s it feel, I asked? She told me that she was glad she attended, and that she now thinks it’s okay to speak out.
Yes, it is.
Scenes from a Tea Party Protest, Jefferson, Wisconsin:
