Protesters hold anti-stimulus “tea party” at the Capitol- Atlanta

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By Mary Lou Pickel | Friday, February 27, 2009, 03:43 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Hundreds of people gathered in the pouring rain at the state Capitol to protest the multi-billion dollar federal stimulus package signed by Pres. Obama.

Protesters chanted, “Take back America,” and held signs against bailouts. Another protester held a U.S. Navy Jack flag with the rattlesnake and the words, “Don’t Tread on Me.”

Protests across the country have sprung up today, inspired by Rick Santelli of CNBC, who stood on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade last week and went on a spontaneous on-air rant against Pres. Obama’s proposed mortgage bailout. Santelli mentioned holding a tea party to protest the idea, like the Boston Tea Party, when colonists protested unjust taxation from England.

The idea has taken a life of its own, and Friday, about 200 protesters showed up in Atlanta, some with tea bags, to protest the stimulus bill and other bailouts.

“My concern is that this country is going down a dangerous path toward socialism and that’s not what my forefathers, or my ancestors, fought and died for,” said protester Allen LaBerteaux, 41, of Lilburn. He had two tea bags in his pocket.

The state employee drove to the Capitol in the cold rain to register his opposition to the stimulus bill, which he sees as irresponsible spending by the federal government.

Supporters say the $787 billion stimulus package is designed to jump-start the economy with public works construction, new jobs and tax cuts for millions of Americans.

Protesters at the Capitol handed out One Trillion dollar bills with the faces of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada).

State Republican politicians lined up to speak in the rain, including gubernatorial hopefuls Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine and Rep. Austin Scott (R-Tifton).

State Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) also spoke, urging the crowd to find Socialists in office and “kick them out.”

“Let’s go after them,” Rogers said, to cheers from the crowd.

http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/georgia/entries/2009/02/27/protesters_hold.html

Were are all the Repukes in Atlanta?