“We have to fight to protect the Second Amendment” said Sam Parades, member of the Board of Directors of Gun Owners of America, to a group of gun enthusiasts who gathered to express their second amendment rights at a “2nd Amendment Day” event, sponsored by TDS Guns of Rocklin. Craig, co-owner of TDS Guns, said they put on this event “to show our support for the Tea Party and the Second Amendment.” “People don’t take responsibility”, said Craig, when asked about the purchase of firearms for unlawful reasons. “It’s not the gun’s fault, it is the individual.” Several guest speakers spoke at the event, including Eric Hogue, VP of Advancement at William Jessup University, Sacramento area talk

In the background, you could hear former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s voice as it rang out over the public address system and declared to the crowd, “Can you hear us now? Can you hear us now?! Can you hear us now?!!” The crowd’s cheers built with each chorus roared by the Tea Party’s biggest name. There were two patriotic events going on this weekend in the Sacramento area - the military air show at the old Mather Air Force Base and, ironically, the other event was at the once proud McClellan Air Force Base, which is now a thriving business park. The 9/12 Rally entitled “United to the Finish”, an event sponsored by the NorCal Tea Party Patriots, was held on Sunday at the old

The group that produced the “Tea Party” on the steps of the California State Capital building on both April 15, Federal Tax Day, of 2009 and 2010 is expanding that effort. Someone else can argue about the number of people in attendance, but don't be distracted. There were thousands of citizens at both work-day events. Estimates are that there are currently 200+ separate Tea Party groups in California, and polls record that 30 percent of citizens relate to the grassroots movement. The organizers are not paid and volunteers do the setup and cleanup. Donations fund expenses such as portable toilets, PA systems, barriers, etc. “NorCal Tea Party Patriot's function is to provide an umbrella of

  "Don't forget your pitchfork!" - a friends response when informed that I would be attending a Tea Party.        Over the past year, I have heard a lot about the Tea Party movement, much of it negative, some positive. I do, from time to time, listen to conservative talk radio.             The Tea Party bashers would have you believe that these events are akin to that very famous tea party in "Alice in Wonderland." I'm talking about the cartoon classic here, not the Tim Burton rehash.  A few irrationally fearful lunatics, totally out of touch with reality, brought together by nonsense: "Unbirthdays" in one, "America's rapid deterioration into a Marxist state" in the other.  And the Te

I don't want to make any big generalized Political statements here, I'll let the photos do that, but I WILL say that the whole thing seemed devoid of any sort of Joy or optimism. Calling the State Capitol "That stupid building" over and over again seemed a little excessive and more than a bit regressive and M.C.s Eric Hogue and Roger Hedgecock seemed more interested in fomenting anger than in putting forth any sort of answers to the "issues" they purported to address.

People gathered Friday afternoon at the Capitol Building to protest the Democratic Party platform, as well as to voice opposition to AB 32 (AKA the "Global Warming Solutions Act." 

About 1,500 people gathered on the west steps of the State Capitol Friday afternoon to express their anger with state environmental regulations, which they said were responsible for increased unemployment in the state. Present at the event were talk radio hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty, Congressman Tom McClintock and Mark Meckler, head of the Sacramento Tea Party Patriots and the event's organizer, as well as several business owners and a representative from the National Tea Party Patriots organization. In addition to the protesters on the west steps, many tractors, big rigs and other trucks carrying signs and honking in support of the protest were on the streets around the Capitol.

Saturday, July 4 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. Americans for Prosperity and Mark Meckler, organizer of the Sacramento Tea Party, will be holding an Independence Day Tea Party on the west steps of the Capitol. About 500 people are expected. Noon- 1:30 p.m. Kevin S. Carter will be reading poetry on the north steps of the Capitol. Though he will be reading through a sound system, it is unknown how many people will attend. Sunday, July 5 through Wednesday July 8 No events are scheduled.

Approximately 5,000 people gathered at the State Capitol Wednesday in a "Tax Day Tea Party" protest organizers said was aimed at fiscal irresponsibility in the form of Bailouts, the stimulus bill, increased taxation, and government waste. Speaking at the event were a mixture of media figures, politicians, and organizers, including State Representative Tom McClintock, talk radio hosts Mark Williams and Armstrong & Getty and others. The protest officially started at noon, but the crowd began gathering long before that. Many of the protesters were not Sacramento residents, traveling from Roseville, Grass Valley and other surrounding towns to be heard. The size of the crowd necessitated a gia