Following a cry of "we're fed up and we're not gonna take it anymore," and "we are

Taxed Enough Already," protesters around the nation will gather Wednesday for an organized act of civil disobedience. Participants will gather on the John T. Myers Bridge in Lafayette from 12 to 2 and from 6 to 8 p.m. for a "Tea Party" reminiscent of the Boston Tea Party of 1773 when colonists revolted against the English Throne because of taxes imposed by the British on tea.

According to a press release from organizers in Lafayette, many people of the United States believe it is time to take a stand against overspending by the federal government that many fear will lead to a crushing tax burden.

Local residents of several counties will gather together on April 15 to join millions nationwide exercising their First Amendment right to gather peaceably across the United States in protest against what they believe to be excessive government spending and resulting taxation.

Those who want to participate are welcome to add their voice at the event. The Pledge of Allegiance will commence at 12:05 p.m. Hundreds of free copies of the U.S. Constitution will be available. Protesters are being urged to bring bullhorns, signs and posters and tea bags to place in the "Son's of Liberty" tea crate. For more information, visit www.LafayetteTeaParty.com.

According to Jenny Beth Martin, a Republican activist who is helping to organize one of the higher-profile tea parties in Atlanta, Ga., there are now 500 known tea parties scheduled for April 15, tax day, with dozens more being scheduled everyday.

Martin appeared on "Fox and Friends" Tuesday morning and said she and her husband lost their home due to the recession recently. She said the couple began doing odd jobs to make ends meet and they do not want the government's help to survive. She said they would rather clean the neighbors' houses rather than "have the neighbors paying for a mortgage on a house that we can't afford."

Martin said the movement, while non-partisan, has largely involved conservatives who are testing out a role long reserved for the other side of the political spectrum. She said one tea party was held in Atlanta Feb. 27 during a downpour.

"Conservatives are not known for their protest abilities," she said. "Protests in business suits and umbrellas was kind of a funny sight."

An organizer in Astoria, Ore., said the parties are "gatherings for regular people."

"We just feel that the government is not listening to the people," the organizer said. "I do not understand how we can throw money at this problem (referring to the federal stimulus package) and solve it. If I was doing my personal budget and discovered I was deeply in debt, I don't think I would go out and borrow a lot of money to throw at it."

U.S. Congressman Joe Donnelly said Friday that he is aware of the planned demonstrations. He said he is also concerned about federal spending. Donnelly said he voted against the proposed budget because he was concerned about proposed defense spending. However, he said he "would wish they'd said something in the last eight years when the national debt doubled."

"I always listen to the folks in my district," he said. "The people of Carroll County want our debt under control. We all need to work together to spend wisely."