By By EDWIN MODLIN II
Staff Writer
WASHINGTON – Yesterday marked the opening for a Tea Party Rally as people came together at Festival Park to “Take Back America” and rethink where the country’s going.
Jerry Dudley, group organizer, said the main event were the rally’s different speakers’ throughout the afternoon. However, he added, the rally was to get people to think about the country in general and to get out and vote when the poles open up.
“We don’t like the way the country’s being run,” Dudley said. “And we think we should get back to the values that the country was founded on.”
It was a chilly day that turned warm as patrons brought out their folding chairs as they were entertained with music by Pam Carson and guest radio talk show host Tom Lamprect of 103.7 FM, as they were a part of the biggest Tea Party in eastern North Carolina’s original Washington.
“We are actually a bunch of activists wanting to create a better America,” said Buzz Cayton, a self proclaimed Beaufort Patriot, as he addressed the crowd. “We’re not telling you how to vote. We’re just educating you on voting and making for sure you go to the poles.”
Cayton encouraged patrons to call 10 people to remind them to vote, and have each of those 10 people call 10 people and so on.
“We’re not supporting Democrats or Republicans,” Cayton said. “We’re supporting candidates who will do right by the people of North Carolina by the U.S. Constitution.”
Dudley said it was a chance for people to be a part of the biggest Tea Party in the east, “in the real Washington, the original Washington Tea Party Rally on the waterfront,” as invitations went out to all Tea Parties and conservative groups in eastern North Carolina.
“This could be the most important event of the season,” he said. “Just 12 days before early voting. Often times, people sit around after the voting is done and complain about how the election went when they didn’t even vote. So this rally is to make people aware of voting and getting to the poles to vote.”
He added that with re-districting coming up in 2011, patrons could hear speakers as they touched base on sensitive topics.
There were guest speakers influential to the Tea Party Rally, such as Dr. Ron Baity, who was barred from the legislative Assembly because he would use Jesus Christ in his prayer; as well as Frank Perry, a retired FBI Special Agent who was undercover for corruption in the state of North Carolina.
Other guest speakers, David Speckhardt, Hal Weatherman, Dan Garner and Jerry Grimes.
There were booths of information from many Conservative Organizations.
Patrons also participated in “the most creative sign contest” to win a flag that was flown over the White House in honor of those serving in the military. The flag comes with a certificate from Congressman Walter Jones.
People even brought DVDs to gift to military personnel overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The event went on from 1p.m. to 5p.m., recognizing the armed services.
According to Dudley, Tea Party Patriots, Inc. is a non-partisan, non-profit social welfare organization dedicated to furthering the common good and general welfare of the people of the United States. It also furthers this goal by educating the public and promoting the principles of fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government and free markets. Tea Party Patriots has not endorsed candidates for public office.