Quickly, here are two quick photos of the Nashville Tea Party. We’re estimating several, several thousand!
We’re live on the scene at the Tea Party Nation tent. Sign up and organize!
UPDATE: Based on police reports and several counts, we can confidently estimate 9,812 people at the rally! I know, sounds weird to have such an exact number, so let me share quickly how we arrived at the number. We know that there were an average of 7 or 8 people on each concrete square, which are all the same size across the plaza. Based on where the crowd tapered off, which according to the police was near the far end of the plaza, we arrive at 7,312. Add to it the estimated 2,500 folks on the street and across the street who weren’t on a concrete square, and we arrive at 9,812. (Some estimates are as low as 2,000, some more saying 5,000. No worries. Estimating by sight is extremely difficult. We’re trying to get our numbers using a more specific methodology.)
Yeah, yeah, some will disagree. That’s fine. That’s why we have pictures. They’ve got a pretty big impact, too. 
UPDATE II: Apparently Nashville made Yahoo!’s tea party gallery!
UPDATE III: Some great photos of the Nashville rally from Mark Currier.
Seriously Kev, who has time to go to one of these things in the middle of the day? They had one in Denver at the capitol but I never considered going due to all the stuff going on in my life. It’s great to see so many though….on lunch break? A lunch break well spent I suppose. It is weird to see libertarians and conservatives protesting though. It’s like a weird vortex into the 1960s.
Ouch Dave, that cuts right to my core. I helped organize this little shindig.
And to your point, if you’re suggesting that most people can’t make it out at a mid-week, lunchtime rally (and I’d agree), then think about the numbers that are like-minded. It’s far more than 10,000.
It is an anomaly to see libertarians and conservatives protest though, you’re right. This never happens, yet it looks like we’re trending for a nationwide showing of between 1 and 2 million. Those are just the early reports, don’t hold me to it.
We have to make time for these things, I made sure I took the day off, and brought my son with me. Some things are too important to miss!!
This is so encouraging!!! This was happening all across our great country today!!! I took part in the one in Knoxville, TN where we had a large group!!! I love how passionate people are and how creative they are with their signs: “King George didn’t listen to us either!” Let’s all vote in the midterm elections and make a difference. Let’s clean the house! I hope we continue this fervor and change America for the better!!!
Fox 17 News reported approx 10,000 people in attendance.
I was at the one in Cookeville, since I couldn’t make it down to Nashville. There were about 200-300 people there. Much more than I was expecting. I’m very happy to hear about the numbers in Nashville, as well as across the nation. I hope we keep this momentum!
@Josh Trisler: Josh, don’t forget, sign up at Tea Party Nation! That’s how we keep this momentum going!
I am posting Tea Party photos. If you took any photos from any of the 1000′s of Tea Parties then go to my website and read the instructions on submitting photos. Let’s get one or more photos from every Tea Party. The majority is no longer silent.
[...] other news, the Nashville Tea Party, one of the largest in the country at 10,000 folks, mirrored the hundreds of other protests across [...]
Yeah, lets get rid of taxes—-and police, schools. firefighters. roads….lets go back to the days of the tea party! Let us gut the country===think only of ourselves—Total selfish mindless idiots who do not care for their children’s futures—throwbacks! 78 percent of the US says No-Thanks—-you were the guys who got us here in the first place with your selfish greed! Patriots my ass!
I wish I could’ve attended, but I’m a nurse and I had to work the 7 AM-7 PM shift yesterday. I did watch the Fox News coverage on TV after I got home from work (Sean Hannity and Greta Van Susteren). I’m glad there were such big crowds throughout the country!
And to lesbil…I don’t think anyone’s saying let’s do away with the taxes that support police, schools, firefighters, roads…at least I’m not…what we’re saying is do away with the outrageous pork barrel, “bailout” OVERSPENDING that our politicians are currently doing! Believe it or not, it has been capitalism that has made America the great nation that it is, not socialism!
I don’t know you, David, but like you I had tons of stuff going on in my life yesterday. I was up all night trying to get my taxes down to a manageable number. I got called to my parents house because they’re trying to do an intervention on my youngest brother. My boss died and I’m having to cobble together work until the next thing opens up. But I made it to THREE tea parties in my area on purpose. I’m tired of being cranky about how government is being run but not taking any recourse. I’m tired of watching the news and feeling less informed after doing so. I wanted to see for myself what my fellow Americans are thinking. They think more like me than I ever could have imagined. I got more hope from going to these events than I’ve had in at least a year. If we don’t step up now, David, we may not get another opportunity in the future. Are you against abortion? For the Constitution? You’re considered a threat to our own Department of Homeland Security. “Domestic Terrorist”. And they’re standing by that assessment.
lesbil,
Don’t be so bitter! it is so unbecoming. Of course we need to fund schools, firefighters, ARMED FORCES, etc.
What is being protested is the pork barrel spending, the increase in size of government, indications of socialism. Free markets work.
We don’t need government bailouts. We surely don’t need govenment intervention in any industry.
@David Strunk: David if all you do is SIT at home and watch, then nothing will ever change. You have to get out and be seen and heard! Stand up with us and tell them to stop. This country was founded for the people by the people and it needs to be that way again. The big wigs on capital hill think we dont care what they do, its time to show them we do!
My goodness, lesbill…how sad (but not unexpected) that you as a lib are the only one that has to use a vulgarity on these pages. It does demonstrate, however, the mindset of a typical liberal who really gets ticked when those of us who work for a living would like to keep more of our own money. As far as the Federal Government is concerned, the Constitution of the United States only authorizes the government to “provide for the common defense…”. The Feds should, by our constitution, pay for the military. That’s it. Everything else should be the responsibility of the state and local governments. Oh, but libs don’t care about little details like the Consitution. Sorry, I forgot. Lesbil, how about you volunteering to give up more of your money to Uncle Sam? That’s what liberals and their socialist brothers will not do. You’d rather that everyone else be taxed to death. You are very sad.
I took half the day off to attend with my husband and my 2 yr old son. We had no idea what to expect since we hadn’t heard a peep about the tea party on the news. We were pleasantly surprised to see so many people! It was great and I can’t wait for the next one.
I thought it was remarkable that in a city of 1M people, in the middle of a workday, 10,000 people came out to support the idea of taking our country back. That 10,000 figure was used by Fox, by the local CBS affiliate and the national CBS News. The national CBS thought so much of our massive crowd shots that after talking about Nashville, they went on to use the same crowd shots labeling them “Sacramento, Calif.” LOL!
BTW, Lesbil, I spent 27 years in the United States Marine Corps, have 13 grandchildren, and it is for my fellow active and veteran members, and especially for my grandchildren that i am supporting this effort. The current administration is spending money like water now but putting shackles of unbelievable debt around the necks of our grandchildren. That is unconscionable. We have to say “no”, allow the free market system to right itself, as it will if left alone.
Great crowds, terrific self-restraint in the face of at least one protestor, and impressive support from our state and federal representatives. but in the end I have to agree with Phil Valentine’s message to Congress: “If you voted for the bail-out, get the **** out!”
Took lots of photos and will be posting them at http://www.teapartynation.com.
Hey people you want to know what I think is great. ALL those people standing up and voicing their rights as AMERICANS and NOT ONE broken window, NOT ONE over turned car, NOT ONE fire set, NOT ONE fight. HMM it just shows that we can protest without rampaging thru the streets. HUH wonder if the left will ever understand that. ALSO we could have all marched on washington and had well more than the so called million man march but OH-YEAH we are working people who pay our mortgages and our taxes. I cannot tell you how many times at yesterdays TEA Party that I saw people hand over their signs so someone else could hold it saying “I have to go back to work now but I will not throw away my sign” these signs were for the most part home made and heart felt – nobody bussed antbody to the TEA Parties – nobody was paid by anybody to be there. It was truely heartfelt patriotism being whitnessed and that is why the left cannot and will not understand and admit it. All of their so called spontanious ralleys we find out are indeed funded and paid for by themselbes and or their operatives live the ACORN nuts that they are . ACORN what a great name for a bunch of nuts. Congratulations AMERICA we showed them that the silent MAJORITY will NOT be silent anymore.
Hey people you want to know what I think is great. I was at the Nashville TEA Party and it was TERRIFIC. ALL those people standing up and voicing their rights as AMERICANS and NOT ONE broken window, NOT ONE over turned car, NOT ONE fire set, NOT ONE fight. HMM it just shows that we can protest without rampaging thru the streets. HUH wonder if the left will ever understand that.
ALSO we could have all marched on washington and had well more than the so called million man march but OH-YEAH we are working people who pay our mortgages and our taxes. I cannot tell you how many times at yesterdays TEA Party that I saw people hand over their signs so someone else could hold it saying “I have to go back to work now but I will not throw away my sign” these signs were for the most part home made and heart felt – nobody bussed antbody to the TEA Parties – nobody was paid by anybody to be there. It was truely heartfelt patriotism being whitnessed and that is why the left cannot and will not understand and admit it. All of their so called spontanious ralleys we find out are indeed funded and paid for by themselbes and or their operatives live the ACORN nuts that they are . ACORN what a great name for a bunch of nuts. Congratulations AMERICA we showed them that the silent MAJORITY will NOT be silent anymore.
I went to the event and it was great. I am a Navy veteran and we are true patriots Lesbil, a concept I doubt you will ever understand. At this protest we yelled out a heartfelt national anthem, and pledge of allegience honoring our country. Let’s see that happen at a liberal protest. We are not against all taxes, if you bothered reading anything beyond the MSM distorted analysis, only against the government overspending with a budget beyond the already bloated amount of taxes they receive and placing us into deeper debt.
oh I had made it. My husband and my family did while I was at work…plan to be at the next one though.
I couldn’t help but notice the front page of the poor excuse of a newspaper the Tennessean today. It read “3000″ attended the tea party in Nashville. It was ‘approximately’, or ‘about’, or ‘over’, it was exactly 3000. That’s a far cry from 10,000. I guess they learned how to count at the same place they learned how to write a paper.
I wanted to go so badly!!! but I couldn’t get away and the tea party we had in my hometown of Carthage, TN, was held at 4:30 (which by the way, I heard had about 50 people to attend, in a county that has about 20,000, that’s not bad at all) which I couldn’t attend either!! So I have to live vicariously through all of you beautiful people and your awesome photographs!!
Thanks so much for sharing!
lesbil…Here is a novel idea. Before you start with your sarcasm, cynicism and rhetoric, you might want to do just a bit of research. Google would be a wonderful place to begin. But, not just for your benefit though, I would encourage everyone to google ‘Grace Commission Report”. And if that seems to be a bit too much, here is a link: http://www.freecanadian.net/articles/grace.html If that seems to hard let me share with you a little of what the Grace Commission Report says.
I realize some of you may be thinking “What will support the services offered by the government if none of us pay Federal Income Tax?” Well, below is a report requested by President Ronald Reagan to see just where the Federal Dollar goes.
The Grace Commission Report has no copyright notice in it. Since it appears to be in the public domain, the beginning of the report is found below. The Grace Commission confirms the allegation that the income tax revenues go 100% to pay the interest on the national debt and not a single nickel of it goes to the government. Whatever government services we have, they are not being financed by the income tax.
The underlined section of this report is from the Grace Commission that proves that none of the personal income tax goes to pay for any government services and is used to pay only the interest on the national debt.
and
With two-thirds of everyone’s personal income taxes wasted or not collected, 100 percent of what is collected is absorbed solely by interest on the Federal debt and by Federal Government contributions to transfer payments. In other words, all individual income tax revenues are gone before one nickel is spent on the services which taxpayers expect from their Government.
I’d like to find out all I can about the palnned event in DC on July 4th. Is there a centralized posting where info about this key event can be accessed?
Thanks, Brooks
What makes this so much the more monumentall than a million man march on washington is the fact these were ordinary hard working citizen. (not dirt people with no jobs and collage students)It cost us something to be a part. I wen’t to the one in Springfield TN. and was so fired up from the 200 people that showed, I went to the one in Henersonville, that evening (2500 there and the horns never stoped blowing).
For that Lesbil chick, yes I wonder if that is for Lesbo, not sure. Anyway, we can have services for our local government without being socialists! I know she drank the cool aid and is uninformed about our government. The tea parties have nothing to do with gutting services and not taking care of our kids. It is about responsibility, freedom, limited government and low taxes. You can’t spend your way out of a recession and give money to those who don’t pay income taxes in the form of a rebate or so called tax break! President Reagan stimulated the economy through tax breaks so the so called “Rich” could hire and expand their businesses creating a huge economic boom that the liberal teachers didn’t explain to Lesbil in her textbook! Cut spending and drop taxes on those who can create jobs, the rich evil business owners! The poor can’t create wealth. I never got a job from a poor person. I guess Lesbil wants the middle class gone so she can be dependent on government handouts forever. Her type is why we elected such a socialist as President.
We who are the true Americans need to raise our voices to this Socialism that is about to take our NATION. Why did we risk our lives to give these persons freedom to not follow the Constitution and not to hold these truths symbolized in the US Flag. We now have a congress of Democrats and a comander-in-chief that are trying to take the freedoms from us. Our forefathers came to this country to escape these same idologies. We must stand together in this fight. We must be brave and do whatever is needed to get the country back fron the ones presently in power. Please consider having a tea party on the weekend. We will have many more people attend. God Bless you all,
I was at the tea party in Nashville. What a blast! I came away feeling hopeful for my country for the first time in months. Regarding another protest/demonstration on July 4, I hope this happens, but I hope it will not ONLY be a march on Washington. Not everyone will be able to go (either because of finances or family plans). I suggest MARCHES ON STATE CAPITOLS as well as on Washington, DC.
No worries. We’re definitely aware that a weekend/non-D.C. rally are needed. Sign up at http://teapartynation.com to keep up to date on plans!
I just joined and the first thing I did was donate my $20.00 theres going to be a lot needed to fund this, so everybody donate 5 or 10 and get the $10,000 that Kevin needs,GO PATRIOTS,I cant wait for the next one.
@jackieblue: Much appreciated, Jack!
I am so glad to see that I am not a minority. We do need to encourage everyone we know who believes the way we do to join in on the efforts to save this country. If we don’t, it may soon be too late. I want everyone to know that there is much more going on than just over taxing and overspending. We all need to become politically active and hold our elected officials accountable on every vote they make. Make it a point daily to check out what is going on in our government. We are being labeled as terrorists. The Parental Rights Amendment needs to be passed to protect our families from having the United Nations dictate our family life. The hate crimes legislation is being presented again and could be used against all of us who have conservative moral values. Religious freedom is in jeopardy, the right to own a firearm is in jeapardy, and the life of the unborn has long been in jeapardy. Life as we all know it as Americans is in jeopardy. There is just too much at stake here. We all need to wake up all across the country and make our voices heard. A silent majority is a disgrace. If we don’t speak up, we will have to endure whatever hardship comes to us as a consequence. Please help save our country.
@A Voice: You’re absolutely right. For too long we’ve thought it acceptable to remain on the sidelines while we watched Government increasingly confiscate and dictate from on high. It’s apparent that we no longer have an excuse. Our lax posture concerning the misbehavior of the Republicans and Democrats has brought us this refuse of an elected class, this slide from Republic to Democracy. I refuse to have a clear understanding of the inability of Government to perform even a tenth of its promises at even a tenth of the efficiency of the private sector and yet do nothing to thwart the coming Socialism. This is why I’ve thrown myself fully into the cause of building the Tea Party Nation, a social network dedicated to rallying the cause of limited government, free market, individual liberty types across the country (and even a few ex-pats, too!). Here we shall all meet and pull together to take on this well-intentioned but poorly thought-out threat from within.
I found it ironic that just before the Tea Parties, the Dept of Homeland Security issues the threat assessment that clearly identifies anyone that believes in GOD, is a veteran, believes in the 2nd amendment and states rights is a “terrorist”. Well, as Samuel Adams once said, “We will hang alone or hang together.” I thought that we showed the world that we are not afraid of political intimidation, that we will not go quitetly into that good night. I was so proud to be part of such a strong and brave group of patriots it brought tears to my eyes. God, through the founders of this great country gave us a very special place in which to live, worship, work in our chosen field and enjoy life to the fullest. We can not let a pack of socialist destroy what others have died to preserve.
@Dan Gotten: I’m not sure that it’s ironic at all, Dan.