Thousands attend Tea Party

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Thousands of anti- tax protesters were downtown Dayton Wednesday evening for a modern day "tea party".

This evening's protest was modeled after Boston's Tea Party in 1773, when colonists dumped tea in the harbor to protest unfair taxes.

Organizers say the tea party in Dayton was the largest in the state, with an estimated 5,000 in attendance.

Many people came with home-made signs.

They gathered in protest, voicing their opposition to high taxes and big government spending.

Protester Jay Obermeyer said, "We don't care about what party is in office, It's about believing in our county, and we don't need to be taxed to death."

Jan Mahaffey came to rally at courthouse square and said "I think it's time to have common sense and fiscal responsibility from both parties."

Jim Witherspoon said he wants to inspire others. "I hope by my demonstration here, it wakes people up to the fact that we have to stand up for what is right in America."

The founders of the Dayton Tea Party said this was their chance to send a message to local, state, and federal officials about their opposition to recent increases in government spending.

The crowd filled courthouse square and beyond. It was a welcome sight to many protestors who said they were surprised but happy about the massive turnout.

"It's because Dayton has a heart. " Obermeyer said.

"I think it's Dayton's wake up call. Now is the time to step up and put our nation first." Mahaffey said.

Organizers say there were 600 tea parties across the country today, and 27 in Ohio.