Tea Party raises cry on tax dayProtesters mark 1-year anniversary with event at government center
CROWN POINT | More than 100 people spent their tax day lunch hour Thursday at the Lake County Government Complex, protesting the spending policies of the Barack Obama administration.
Organizer Mark Leyva, of Highland, called the event the one-year anniversary of the Taxed Enough Already Party in Lake County before inviting attendees to step forward to voice their displeasure with the government.
The protest in Crown Point was one of many across the country, including larger rallies in Indianapolis and Chicago.
The topics ranged from the repeal of health care reform, the proposed financial regulatory act, climate change, amnesty for undocumented immigrants and religion in schools.
"This peaceful protest is about each and every one of us as individuals and how we feel about where our government is taking us," Leyva said. "It's about taking action, taking responsibility and taking America back; that's where we're going."
Leyva, a perennial challenger to U.S. Rep Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., made a point of saying his role in the protest was not for personal political gain, though some of his supporters raised chants of "Pete's gotta go," and "Leave it to Leyva."
Yet the majority of the crowd, armed with signs and no shortage of American flags, appeared enthusiastic to be in the company of like-minded people.
Not all were card-carrying Republicans. Nancy Liptak, of Schererville, was one of the first to step forward and did not hide her voting record.
"I voted Democratic because I felt the Bush administration was out of control. ... I wish I could snatch my votes back," she said. "I plan on voting different in the future. I'm willing to fight for this. I'm willing to donate. I'm willing to vote."Liptak, who describes herself as a constitutionalist, said she thinks the pendulum in Washington has swung, and so will her votes.
"I'm very concerned about our civil liberties, and an administration that attacks people who speak their minds," she said. "To be honest, this administration scares me. ... I want something left for my children and my grandchildren."