A ‘visit’ of the “Tea Party Express” to cities in Wisconsin from August 5-8— a region of the country that has been one of the most devastated by the economic crisis of capitalism — must not go unchallenged. Activists and community members in Wisconsin are already organizing to confront the “express” at their stops to denounce the right-wing attempt to divide poor and working people and to show that the racist, sexist, anti-LGBT, anti-immigrant, anti-union, corporate-funded Tea Party and all its groupings does not speak for working people. Tea Party members are the ones who spit on and physically threatened Representative John Lewis and other progressive members of Congress.
Similar to groups such as the Klu Klux Klan, the Tea Party is attempting to appeal to the popular discontent in the face of the economic crisis and attacks on poor and working people in the form of budget cuts, layoffs and union-busting attempts by Wall Street. However, they want to fuel that discontent into a reactionary program that scapegoats immigrants, targets people of color and LGBT people, blames unions, attacks safety nets like Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare and opposes women’s rights.
The Tea Party and all its groupings present themselves as grassroots organizations, but in actuality it’s funded by corporate, ultra-right organizations such as FreedomWorks, Americans for Prosperity and the Koch brothers who fund politicians such as Alberta Darling and Scott Walker. These bigots have been heavily assisted by the corporate media in relaying their message to the public.
Instead of blaming Wall Street for the capitalist meltdown, the Tea Party targets those classes below them on the economic ladder. A powerful movement is needed that points its fire at the rich and that fights for a massive public jobs program, real national health care, a moratorium on foreclosures, ending the wars, canceling student debt, building schools not prisons and using Pentagon dollars to pay for education, housing, social services and rebuilding the country’s infrastructure.
Activists across WI are beginning to organize to confront the Tea Party and send a real message of unity and working-class solidarity. Join us!
Bring signs, banners, noisemakers etc. to the counter-protests!
Check back on this blog for updates and new locations for the tour stops etc.
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SOME SUGGESTED SLOGANS FOR SIGNS & BANNERS
Shut Down The Big Business Tea Party!
Hands off our unions, healthcare, pensions, wages and social security!
NO to racism & Tea Party! YES to Healthcare for all!
JOBS not racism and war!
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TEA PARTY EXPRESS TOUR STOPS
FRIDAY, AUGUST 5
12:00 Noon – 1:30 p.m. Rally in Hudson, WI
Location: Lakefront Park Bandshell
First Street
Hudson, WI
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5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Rally in La Crosse, WI
Location: Copeland Park Oktoberfest Shelter
1130 Copeland Park Dr.
La Crosse, WI
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 6
2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Rally in Kenosha, WI
Location: Birchwood Grill
7515 125th Ave
Kenosha, WI
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5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Rally in Milwaukee, WI
5:30pm – 7:00pm :: Rally in Milwaukee, WI
Location: Thiensville Village Park
250 Elm Street
Thiensville, WI 53092
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 7
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Rally in Fond du Lac, WI
Location: Village Park
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2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Rally in New London, WI
Location: Crystal Falls Banquet Facility
1500 Handschke Dr.
New London, WI 54961
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6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Rally in Merrill, WI
Location: Riverside Park
East End of O Day Street
Merrill, WI 54452
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MONDAY, AUGUST 8
12:00 Noon – 1:30 p.m. Rally in Rhinelander, WI
Location: Rhinelander Band Shell
Young Street (Next to Trig’s RiverWalk Centre)
Rhinelander, Wisconsin 54501
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5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Rally in Allouez, WI
Location: Legends Brewhouse and Eatery
875 Heritage Rd
De Pere, WI 54115
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