A Tale Of Two Parties' Tea Parties In Two Parts

Stop reading this post now if you're not into the minutia of media and politics. You have been warned.

I went to one of the events organized Saturday, under the name, A New Way Forward. I hadn't been certain about going. I hadn't really gotten the connection between the action and the goals articulated on their website, and I'm the kind of protester who likes to know what she's screaming about. But on reflection, I realized that I didn't have any notion of what I would suggest if Geithner was ever in front of me, but I sure did want to shake him around by the lapels. That was enough. So I carpooled up to San Francisco with the Grannies, with some songs we'd written about the banks. As we approached the Federal Reserve Building, we were a little disappointed by the size of the crowd. I would say that there were probably a little over a hundred gathered as we passed, but by the time we'd parked and made our way back to the plaza, it had swelled to about 200. It was still disappointingly small.

There were many distinct groups in attendance. A few were familiar: the Grannies of course and Codepink are usual sights. This event had also attracted a group of anarchists and some who were affiliating themselves with a website called End the Fed. I have made it my goal to try to talk to as many attendees as possible at these events, so I can understand their reasons for coming and ask them about their views. The End the Fed people piqued my interest because I've been trying to wrap my head around economics for years now, and have only accumulated a huge list of scary stories. It can be illuminating to see what resonated with other people and wrestle it down to its bones together. This is the goal anyway, since I've come to the conclusion that I don't have good instincts for understanding economics: I need a tag team.

It started in the car, where I started talking with the Granny next to me about whether or not the Federal Reserve should be abolished. She thought so, but before we could get into why, we had to practice, so this conversation didn't get very far.

Then I spoke to two ladies who had passed the protest and wondered what exactly we were protesting. My self-consciousness pays off here, and in gently eastern European accents they seemed relieved that I wasn't there to demand the immediate implementation of a socialist government. "You have to have hope," one said, patting me on the arm and I assured her that I did.

Eventually, I made my way through the crowd and found black ops bankers in a helicopter. Tiny ones. There is a special place in my heart for activists with accessories, and I figure you wouldn't go to that kind of trouble if you didn't want folks to ask...



The man who was patient enough to deal with me gave me fliers with web addresses and a DVD. But I am still apprehensive about the Tea Parties scheduled for tomorrow. The more I read about them, the more open paranoia I find about liberals infiltrating them on behalf of Huffington Post or the President or something. And that is really interesting. How do you know who is an activist, a populist or a plant? I can't say I'm very good at that game, but this:

"Please note that although all of us attending are (of course!) extremely supportive of our First Amendment rights, it’s crucial that the message we are presenting not be distorted. To that end, protesters with signs that are not in line with the theme of the event will be asked to remove them from the demonstration. Such signs include but are not limited to: campaigning, racially inappropriate slogans, anything that suggests violence or unlawful activity, and/or partisan slogans."

... isn't particularly populist. No one made the people holding the giant "End the Fed" sign take it down. No one came to make sure the Grannies were on message. I read some coverage on Indybay about Saturday's event, and while there were some who were unhappy about the presence of anarchists, they were not run off. No one I saw asked them to remove their props. They hung their lovely effigy a little bit away from the speakers and the banners... but all still together before the Fed, and within view of the forty some odd cops who also attended.

I know this only because I was there. And that's why I do intend to attend one of the area's tea parties... so I can be there too. As I said, I went to protest at the Fed because I'm angry and I'm not certain about who to listen to. And in full disclosure, I must admit that I was probably pretty obnoxious to the guy who was patient enough to talk to me. But I did listen. And I did email him. I might even watch the DVD. These things have to start somewhere.

If they don't burn me at the stake, I'll be back with Part II!