TEA Time – Partying like it was 1773!

This is not the usual Real Estate Blog but should be of interest. I have posted here that I would be going to a Tea Party and I did. I want to share what happened and give you the best info I can, not just facts but a feel.

The party was set to start at 3:15 pm in Pittsburg, CA. For those not familiar with the area Pittsburg is a medium sized bedroom community in East Contra Costa County. I got there early (about 2:30) expecting to find someone setting up. However, no one was present and the lot on the corner of E. Leland & Century is posted no parking. I drove around and came back a little after 3. One of the organizers, Sean, had just arrived. Most of these concerned citizens are law abiding citizens and the parking was of immediate concern. Sean drove around and looked for alternatives, but it was decided that we would all park and just move if someone showed up to tow or the police asked us to.

Sean had some “home made signs” and there were a number of pre-printed signs from KSFO Radio (a San Francisco conservative talk station). Other people showed up with signs they had made. People spread out along the intersection waiving signs and a number of people spread out along the edge of the nearby highway 4.

I was present until about 4:30. When I left about 30 vehicles were parked, most people came with two or more in the car. I would estimate 75 to 100 people present. I suspect more people showed up after 5. They ranged from pre-teens to senior citizens. We had bikers, veterans, business men, families, and all types of people. I had never done anything like this and was a little nervous. The press came took picture and interviewed the organizers. I latter saw the press coverage on the front page. The information was minimal, but it was fair.

I did no official interviews. But I would say most people are conservative to populist, with a strong libertarian sentiment. Conservative Christians were present. Most people felt the key issue was government spending and loss of freedom. A number of tracts were handed out on religion and politics. I read most of them and agreed with a lot of what I read, but also felt that much of it would not appeal to the average person with limited interest in the subject. In short it could have been phrased and explained better for broader appeal. Most people who drove by were positive and honked.

The police did not show up while I was there. We also had no problem with ACORN. One person drove by a few times and told us to F--- off. He yelled something about us turning this country into Mexico? I didn’t get it.

I had my video camera and recorded one interview. (Then the battery went. I thought I charged it.) I am attaching the video. This is one of the organizers who brought her grandson with her.

Someone else videoed me; I did not have a pre-planned statement. I hope to get a link to that video latter.

If you are at all concerned about the direction this country is going I would encourage you to attend a rally and get involved. This was a small rally. But many were much bigger. These are not the professional protesters that we usually see. These are people with real lives and other things they would rather be doing, but they are out there as they feel they need to do something for our country. I do not know if there will be another day when the nation turns out at once, but the next time it is set is very important as momentum needs to be kept up, this means new people need to get on board.

If you are interested in Buying a Home or Selling a Home in East Contra Costa County, Brentwood, Antioch, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Pittsburg, Bay Point and others please contact me. For regular updates please subscribe to this blog.