Middle Tennessee Tea Party is a non-partisan association of citizens, dedicated to organizing the People of Rutherford County against taxation, socialization, and other government policies that undermine the Rights and Liberties of the People.

Background

In mid-February, 2009, CNBC news correspondent Rick Santelli in Chicago spent nearly five minutes on national television ranting against the bailout-socialization of the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  In his rant, he referenced a “Tea Party” being thrown by the Libertarian Party of Illinois.  The YouTube video of the rant (after the break) went viral, inspiring thousands of tea parties all over the nation, including Middle Tennessee Tea Party.

Tax Day 2009

On April 15, 2009, nearly 3,000 American citizens gathered on the Square in downtown Murfreesboro.  Over a dozen Rutherford County citizens stood on the back of a pickup truck on the back steps of the Rutherford County Courthouse, to rally for a return to the greatness of “the first country of- by- and for freemen ever, anywhere in the world.”

Speakers at the rally included Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN, 7th district), Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, community organizer Lou Ann Zelenik, and citizens from across the community.  Citizen speakers called for an end to deficit spending, corporate bailsout, government debt, and an end to the Federal Reserve and a return to constitutional money.

Sentiments ran strong in opposition of abuses of power by the Congress and the current and former presidential administrations, and about 2,000 people  signed up to receive e-mail updates in preparation for the next event.

Check out more videos of the Tea party on April 15.