Hundreds turn out for Salem, Ore., tea party rally

SALEM, Ore. — Hundreds of protesters waving American flags and homemade signs made their way to the steps of the state Capitol to ask for less — taxes and government.

It was all part of national tax day protests organized Thursday by tea party movement activists.

The Oregonian says Salem drew an estimated 1,000 demonstrators, reportedly the biggest tax day crowd among Oregon rallies.

While billed as a “tax rally,” the gathering also drew activists with other causes. Giant anti-abortion banners jostled with anti-immigration posters and anti-Obama signs.

The crowd listened patiently to a long list of speakers. They cheered when Ross Day of Common Sense for Oregon called the Capitol “that nuthouse back there.”

In the Portland suburb of Tigard, state Transportation Department officials briefly shut down Oregon Highway 99W to let about 250 activists cross the highway to reach a rally at the post office.

Protesters also gathered in Portland and other locations around Oregon.

Flags were abundant at the Salem rally, from the basic stars and stripes to the colonial “Old Glory” and the “Don’t Tread on Me” snake.

“This is about taxes, but that’s just part of it,” said Russ Walker, director of FreedomWorks Oregon, which organized the event. “The agenda of less freedom is what this is all about.”

“I’ve never been involved in politics before,” said Frankie Galbraith of Mill City, who carried a sign that read, “I’m not a cow. Quit milking me.”

Galbraith said he is fed up with what he termed “corruption.” “I’m mad as hell at all politicians, both Democrats and Republicans,” he said. “They’re not working for the people, but for big business and corporations.”

The rally drew politicians as well. Two Republican contenders for governor — businessman Allen Alley and former NBA player Chris Dudley — were on hand.

Dudley said he supports taxes that pay for proper government functions, but not for programs that waste money.

“There’s a concern about where our state and our country are going as far as an unsustainable path,” he said.

Alley told KYKN radio host Bill Post that the protesters are not angry.

“They’re passionate,” he said. “They’re driven. They’re standing up and saying, you know what? Now is the time to stand up and be heard.”

Trent Lutz, executive director of the Oregon Democratic Party, called the protesters a small group of “disgruntled people” who don’t represent most Oregonians.

Information from: The Oregonian, www.oregonlive.com