2nd Tea Party - all about Independence

Brown The second Tea Party in Lafayette will be July 4 from 12 noon to 6 p.m. on the John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge, which connects Lafayette and West Lafayette over the Wabash River. According to organizer Donn Brown, the event has a dual purpose. It is designed to celebrate the nation's independence as well as provide education about how the United States came to be a nation and what government should mean to its the citizenry. Everyone, young and old, is welcome to attend, including Carroll County residents.

"We have got to spark a desire in young people to understand where this county came from," he said.

Brown said the event is different from the first Tea Party on April 15. He said the first event was a time for citizens to register their dissatisfaction with the local, state and federal government bodies. The second event is intended to not only provide a forum for protest but also to offer education about what principles founding fathers intended the United States to represent. A course for change from the current course of action by the federal, state and local governments will also be discussed.

According to printed information "Because enough is more than enough" is the slogan for the event. Organizers intend to protest excessive government spending and celebrate the founding of the country.

Brown said the nation's problems affect all citizens, including the local community. He explained the leaders of the nation "came up through the ranks" of local and state governmental units, all elected by local voters.

"American citizens have got to get involved," he said. "It's our fault that we have this mess right now."

"The problem is us," he continued. "We elect people without knowing what they stand for and then we don't follow up with them to find out what they are doing or how they think."

Brown said his group, Citizens In Action (CIA) will distribute educational material designed to explain how the nation began and why. Information will be available about both the Constitution of the United States and the State of Indiana. Brown noted the Indiana Constitution is out of print and only available from the Internet and the CIA will make copies available for a nominal fee to offset printing expenses.

"This is a celebration, but a political activity too," Brown said. "The things that are going on in government on all levels didn't just start. How can we live in a free country when we have so many laws?"

"But it is not about being a Republican or a Democrat," he added.

Brown said the solution to problems facing the nation currently will happen when citizens educate themselves. He said everyone "must be informed." Brown said the CIA will be recruiting individuals to run for public office at the event.

"You've got to be informed before you can vote and/or serve," he explained. "We need to go back to the constitution and live by that," he concluded. "It's now or never for us. It has to be a revolution - not bullets and blood - but education."

The event will also feature family-oriented activities to engage Independence Day celebrators. Brown said food, drinks and entertainment booths will be available. Face-painting, clowns, carriage rides and dog frisbee demonstrations are planned. 'Paul Revere' will be present for photographs with attendees and various items will be raffled as a fundraiser for the CIA.

A schedule of events can be viewed at www.lafayetteteaparty. com. The CIA and Brown can be reached by Email at cia@lafayetteteaparty. com. Brown can also be reached at (765) 742-3400.