Jul 4, 2009 7:54 pm US/Central
New Round Of Tea Parties Held Across North Texas
Arezow Doost
PARKER (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
Thousands celebrated their 4th of July holiday by protesting that they've been taxed enough.
Across North Texas another round of tea parties kicked off Saturday.
One of the largest, dubbed America's Tea Party, was held at Southfork Ranch in Parker.
"We have never in our whole life been to a protest," says Patsy Owen from Princeton.
The Owens say there was no way they were going to miss this Tea Party.
They showed up united hoping Washington will hear their message.
Organizers expected 50,000 people, but later estimates had the crowd between 25,000 and 35,000.
"I feel like I've lost my voice," says Maryann Handley "We are concerned about taxes. We are seeing our retirement supply diminish. We are concerned about our health care."
Organizers of the event say they like the Handley's are upset with high taxes and government spending.
"We don't believe that elected officials in Washington D.C. really take us seriously, but they will," says Phillip Dennis "We wanted to put something like this together to show them we will not tolerate unreasonable government."
Even the beating sun and triple degree temperature didn't keep people away.
The Laurinski's are from Coppell showed up early to get a spot in front of the stage. The couple is expecting their first baby and say they worry about what their kids will have to deal with.
"It keeps me up at night wondering how the little one is going to make it whenever there is so many taxes," says John Laurinski.
The gathering at Southfork was put on by all volunteers.
It cost the group $130,000 for the entire day.
Organizers say they have not accepted support from any political party or elected official.
Other Tea Parties were held in North Texas Saturday. Governor Rick Perry spoke at a meeting Saturday afternoon in Rockwall before headling to South Texas.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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