Tea Party Wants to Distribute Declaration of Independence | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Madera, CA "The format was basically an 8 and a half by 11 sheet with the Declaration on one side, and on the other side was a "Did you know?"

Rogers, who is the former Mayor of Chowchilla, wanted to set up a booth at the Madera Golf Course, where the annual fireworks show is held, to hand out this literature. The city said no. " This will offend people at our event. That's what we were told." Rogers said.

The "Tea Parties" initially started as a tax protest movement after Democrats swept the White House and Congress. Rogers wants the "Did You Know" section on the handout to let the public know their movement like the Declaration of Independence isn't just about taxes. "If people don't wake up concerning our freedoms, we're going to find ourselves completely stifled and unable to be a free people anymore." He said.

But City Attorney Richard Denhalter says the only booth at the event will be selling popcorn. "This is supposed to be a picnic and fireworks show. Not a political rally." Denhalter said. However, Denhalter told Action News the group is free to hand out their literature without a booth. Which is good news to Rogers. Who hopes to have some fun, getting in costume to do it.

"The colonial hats and the dress and what have you and just go walk around and distribute this literature."