text size: zoom out zoom in     print article Print     e-mail photogallery E-mail    
Published July 04 2009

Gallery: Bemidji Tea Party


The Bemidji Tea Party started Saturday evening with about 250 people lining Bemidji Avenue with signs and American flags, some proclaiming freedom and liberty, others saying "Party like it's 1773," "Fair Tax or No Tax," "Equal Opportunities not Equal Distribution, "Let Freedom Ring! No Czars! No Kings!" Later, a rally "Freedom Over Socialism," was held on the Beltrami County Courthouse lawn.

Pioneer Photos by Brad Swenson

  • The Bemidji Tea Party started Saturday evening with about 250 people lining Bemidji Avenue with signs and American flags, some proclaiming freedom and liberty, others saying "Party like it's 1773," "Fair Tax or No Tax," "Equal Opportunities not Equal Distribution, "Let Freedom Ring! No Czars! No Kings!" Later, a rally "Freedom Over Socialism," was held on the Beltrami County Courthouse lawn.<br /><br />Pioneer Photos by Brad Swenson
  • Former Beltrami County Republican Chairwoman Kath Molitor asked for people to remember soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan and veterans, that they are sacrificing for freedom and liberty.
  • Former House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, was the keynote speaker as Taxpayers League of Minnesota's 2009 Hero of the Taxpayer. He spoke on Elected to serve, not to control. Seifert will be back in Bemidji on Wednesday to announce his GOP bid for governor in 2010.
  • John Carlson, House 4A Republican candidate in 2008, spoke on Federal power is on the march.
  • Beltrami County Republican Chairman Ken Cobb speaks on Fight for freedom.
  • Everyone lines up for a glass of iced tea and a free pocket copy of the U.S. Constitution.
  • Participants sign petitions and buy T-shirts and buttons.
  • A family beached their canoe and gathered along the shoreline of Lake Bemidji to watch the Fourth of July fireworks Saturday night. Pioneer Photo/Eric Stromgren<br /><br />