The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Local news

Discussion

Add a comment on this story
September 9, 2009

'Tea party' tax protest set for Saturday

By Robert Barron, Staff Writer

Enid’s second “tea party” tax protest will be held Saturday on the west side of the Public Library of Garfield County.

Organizer Cordon De-Kock said the protest will begin after the Cherokee Strip parade. State Sen. Randy Brogdon, Republican candidate for governor, will speak. DeKock said organizers hope to have 200 people. At the last tea party on April 15, between 400 and 500 people attended.

“That was absolutely unexpected. It caught everyone off guard. I don’t feel comfortable saying we will have that many this time, but I think we can get 200 people,” DeKock said.

Motivations have changed somewhat since the April 15 tea parties. At that time, the national parties were successful in curtailing what he called “wasteful TARP issues.” The tea parties now have emerged as a protest against health care reform.

“The underlying issue is accountability and fiscal responsibility,” he said. “More than anything it’s allowing true and honest public discussion instead of policy forced through the process with no discussion.” There also are constitutional issues involved, he said.

While the tea party is in the same area as the Cherokee Strip celebration, he said they do not intend to interfere with the celebration or parade. DeKock also denied the tea parties are a Republican party event, as has been suggested by some news media. During an open microphone event at the April 15 tea party, he said members of many political ideologies spoke. The open microphone will be available again Saturday.

Enid’s tea party will be in conjunction with others around the state including Oklahoma City and Tulsa, where large crowds are expected. Statewide, DeKock said those crowds make a statement when large numbers are generated. Oklahoma City organizers expect 500 to 1,000 people, he said.

DeKock and Court Pierce of Garber are coordinating the Enid party.

Text Only
Local news