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Peter Kinder Speaks at Jefferson City Tea Party

April 15, 2009

Rally comes as government, media cast conservatives as extremists

JEFFERSON CITY—One day before the federal income tax filing deadline, Lt. Governor Peter Kinder spoke to a group of several hundred people assembled on the State Capitol steps to protest federal government’s “fundamental assault on freedom.” The Missouri Republican Party joins Kinder in calling for a return to fiscal and economic sanity.

“This is a crucial time in our nation’s history. The Obama Administration is meeting economic turmoil with unprecedented government control into the lives and pocketbooks of Americans,” said Lloyd Smith, Executive Director of the Missouri Republican Party. “We thank Lt. Governor Kinder and all those who participated for standing up for the American ideal of freedom while protesting the rapid expansion of the federal government.”

Across the state, more than a dozen tax day “tea parties” are scheduled on April 14 and 15. These rallies come as a frightening new trend emerges in the media and government—labeling conservatives as extremists.

The Department of Homeland Security recently issued a report that specifically cites returning military veterans, anti-illegal immigration activists, and those concerned about possible restrictions on firearms as potential terrorists. Only one month ago, the Nixon Administration was forced to retract a similar state report that cast supporters of Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul and third party candidates as security threats.

And just yesterday, a report on KTVI (St. Louis) implied that an “extremist anti-government group” was behind the tea party protests.

“Despite the recent attempts to discredit conservative ideas by painting them as threats to public safety, we will continue to protest destructive government policies and offer viable alternatives,” said Smith. “We are grateful for all elected officials who have stood on the side of freedom, and we will continue to demand accountability from liberal Democrats in Washington, DC, and Jefferson City.”