Exercising First Amendment Rights
By Judy Wanamaker
4 Jul 2009
Today, July 4, 2009, I was privileged to witness democracy in action. I attended a Tea Party in the rural Citrus County, Fl. Even though the reason for that assembly was to protest recent actions by the US government to increase taxes , the crowd was polite and self controlled. The temperature was about 95 degrees, and space under the old grandfather oaks was limited. Some had brought umbrellas for shade, others toughed it out in the sun. The speakers stood near the American flag on the steps of the historical old Citrus County Courthouse.
Many people had homemade signs expressing their concerns. Others wore tee shirts with slogans or red, white, and blue clothing. Several petitions were being circulated with various requests of our government. A number of military people were wearing insignias of their service. Some attendees exercised freedom of religion by carrying signs or wearing tee shirts with religious slogans.
There was a cross section of American society represented: all ages, all incomes, all Americans. To see Americans so motivated that they would brave the stifling heat to assemble in the name of their cause, and exercise their First Amendment rights was moving and encouraging.
19 responses
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JOE FAILK gave props (4 Jul 2009):
Yes it Rocks! We should all stand up for what we believe in!!!!!!!
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Rob Roy gave props (4 Jul 2009):
"One nation under God, with liberty and justice for ALL!" EXCELLENT, Judy-- both words and photos!! The coming tidal wave in taxes and government takeovers are NOT the change I voted for!! Congress is OUT OF CONTROL!!
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suzanne said (4 Jul 2009):
It is so wonderful that we all have the right of freedom....freedom to stand up and be counted. And we must count our blessings, each and every day that we have this right. We only need to look inside other countries to see where this right has been taken off them. Only thing certain in life...taxes and Death!
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Regenia Brabham gave props (4 Jul 2009):
Freedom of speech is a wonderful tool to make things better. A great essay and images Judy!
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eithne mythen gave props (5 Jul 2009):
Great essay Judy and lovely crisp shots..
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John Linton gave props (5 Jul 2009):
Hell...Yeah! It rocks!
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John Linton said (5 Jul 2009):
For years we owned a home at Lake Fairways in North Fort Myers so that Brenda's parents could spend their winters in Florida. We were amazed at all the rules one had to follow to live there. One of the reasons we decided not to move to Florida after we retired (we sold the place instead once her parents could no longer make the trip south) was the rule that said no one could hang their laundry outside.
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stuart s said (5 Jul 2009):
Nice reportage of one of the many rights we enjoy in all western democracies. The right to express differing opinions is what helps crystallize the direction our societies should move towards and although we each choose different courses, that right is what makes each so dynamic and wonderful.
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Karen K Smith gave props (5 Jul 2009):
Excellent words and photos Judy!
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Fred Moskey gave props (5 Jul 2009):
A great story and photos! Do you suppose the American people are starting to wake up and see what is happening to their country?
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Michael Ball gave props (5 Jul 2009):
Ecellent work Judy!! Freedom is a valuble thing and one not to be taken lightly!! My vote!!
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Donald Garrett gave props (5 Jul 2009):
REAL democracy in action!
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Andrea Petersen gave props (5 Jul 2009):
Interesting story and great collection of photos. My vote!
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david ong gave props (6 Jul 2009):
great story and photos, well done Judy!
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david ong said (6 Jul 2009):
voted!
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Graham said (8 Jul 2009):
Always good to see people being able to question a government without being shot. Not much of a diversity of people though. In the photos I see only people of Northern European origin, hardly representive of the US population.
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Zerina Phillip gave props (11 Jul 2009):
Well written, great photos to go with this story too.
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Lanis Rossi gave props (19 Jul 2009):
Well done story and photos! Voted!
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William Garvey gave props (19 Jul 2009):
Nice story and photos.
