September 13, 2009 March & Tea Party Rally
Originally scheduled on September 12th, the intent of the OKC Solidarity March & Tea Party Rally was to march and rally in solidarity with the (as it turned out absolutely huge) rally in Washington D.C. the same day organized by the DC 912 Project and Freedom Works. Our events had to be moved to the next day because, at the last minute, all permits at the Capitol were canceled for the 12th because of security concerns arising out of another event, the annual September Fest held across the street from the Governor’s Mansion. Nevertheless, even though it rained all day on September 13th, nearly 2,000 marchers participated in the Solidarity March which started at 3:00 pm. At the conclusion of the March, marchers joined the nearly 3-4,000 Tea Partiers already at the North State Capitol steps for the rally.
Colonel Steve Kahne, U.S. Air Force (Retired), recites and recounts when he took his Commissioning Oath as a 2nd Lieutenant over 30 years earlier.
Tea Partier holds up her sign in the rain. Isn't it wonderful that the sign paint isn't running in the rain -- and she isn't either!
Businesswoman, wife and mother Kymber Phillips recounts how her political outlook began to slowly but surely change as she saw many outlandish things happen in America in recent years.
Bill Smith, father of Dianne Webb and grandfather of OKC Tea Party founder Alan Webb, gives remembrances of his experiences from the Great Depression and World War II. He closed his speech by asking the audience to take, remember and apply the tenets espoused in The Boy Scout Oath. "On my honor, I will do my duty..."
Saying it with a big smile -- without a teleprompter! Not to banks. Not to car companies. Not to insurance companies. Not to unions.
THE Man! Mark Shannon. We couldn't remember what he was saying just then; but it must have been good -- as always.
Speaker John Kezbers (L) and Master of Ceremonies Toby Pedford (R) before the start of the rally. John -- born in the Eastern Block -- gave a rousing speech and testimony about how America is heading the wrong way and should know better.
Mark Shannon and OKC Tea Party Director Margie Drescher. Isn't this photo a hoot? Kudos to them and the photographer. A real keeper!
MC Toby Pedford with his daughter -- what this is all about. Toby told the audience about her schooling and how she already gets that Big Gubment and wealth redistribution is not only bad, but stupid. You go girl!
Notice that in this shot of the Tea Party crowd how everyone is attentively listening even though it's raining. What a great group of Oklahomans and Americans! 5-6,000 folks showed up for the September 13th march and rally activities.
"I want you all to know. I am profoundly proud of you. Proud!" -- George S. Patton
