DC Tea Party – April 15

I came, I saw, I froze my tush off!

BUT!!!! It was absolutely amazing! I arrived about 1:15pm–had a minor sign malfunction prior to leaving the house and DEAR LORD THE PARKING! THE PARKING!!! Some day maybe the Metro stations will have half-way adequate parking.

So anyways, I got there just as the rain started coming down harder, the wind stronger, and as the counter-protesters were leaving. I got a few pics, but being only 5’1″ I had a hard time finding high ground to see over the umbrellas. For any of you who saw a sopping-wet short, blonde girl with a bright pink umbrella, black backpack, a blue coat and this sign (pre-rally), that was me!
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As I approached Lafayette Park

As I approached Lafayette Park


One of hundreds of unique, homemade signs I saw...wish I was quicker on the draw in capturing them...hard when it's pouring and the camera was getting soaked.

One of hundreds of unique, homemade signs I saw...wish I was quicker on the draw in capturing them...hard when it's pouring and the camera was getting soaked.


Big props to this guy for all his props.

Big props to this guy for all his props.


more people

more people

gave this guy the 'we have the same sign' smirk and nod

gave this guy the 'we have the same sign' smirk and nod

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more signs

more signs


might be hard to tell, but that sign is the Obama Urkle sign

might be hard to tell, but that sign is the Obama Urkle sign


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(notice how the camera is getting foggy from the rain)

(notice how the camera is getting foggy from the rain)


standing on my tiptoes in the mud to try to capture a pic of one of the speakers

standing on my tiptoes in the mud to try to capture a pic of one of the speakers


and this is when the cops cleared us out to H Street...

and this is when the cops cleared us out to H Street...


Two minutes prior this park was full of people...most of them were scattered along the sidewalk on H Street

Two minutes prior this park was full of people...most of them were scattered along the sidewalk on H Street


all the police motorcycles

all the police motorcycles


we found out that someone, not sure who, tossed a package over the White House fence...but to whomever that was?  Not cool, man.  Not cool.

we found out that someone, not sure who, tossed a package over the White House fence...but to whomever that was? Not cool, man. Not cool.


the blue tarp waaaaay over the left was the stage and PA system...straight ahead would be where Bo the dog lives.  Ahem.

the blue tarp waaaaay over the left was the stage and PA system...straight ahead would be where Bo the dog lives. Ahem.


After 20 minutes we were allowed back in the park, but were restricted to just the east portion of the park...a fair compromise from the police and secret service since a security/safety threat like that can often take hours to resolve.

After 20 minutes we were allowed back in the park, but were restricted to just the east portion of the park...a fair compromise from the police and secret service since a security/safety threat like that can often take hours to resolve.


still had a couple hundred die-hard folks left at 3pm in 44 degrees and driving rain.

still had a couple hundred die-hard folks left at 3pm in 44 degrees and driving rain.


my (lack of) height finally came in handy...was able to squeeze in-between folks to see the speakers better

my (lack of) height finally came in handy...was able to squeeze in-between folks to see the speakers better


more good signs

more good signs


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and I couldn't forget to somehow visually document the half-inch of rain we got during the protest.  By the time I got on the Metro, I was only dry from my pits to my hips.  Everything else was soaked!

and I couldn't forget to somehow visually document the half-inch of rain we got during the protest. By the time I got on the Metro, I was only dry from my pits to my hips. Everything else was soaked!

Everyone I met was friendly and positive and came from all areas of the political spectrum. Even though I was tired, wet, and so cold I couldn’t feel my feet or hands, I left feeling exhilarated, and walked around with a huge grin on my face.

About the Author

Colleen

This is a blog where I will share my adventures and mundane tasks as a work-out-of-home-mom. I now have 2 kids and my wonderful husband, so the juggling has gotten a little bit more tricky (man-on-man defense). We also have 2 dogs and 3 cats (we used to have 4) so as you can imagine, our household is pretty busy. Since I never feel like I'm being listened to, I figured I'll just start talking at the general Internet community and see what happens.

6 Comments

Roger

That’s awesome, and it looks like you had a good, wet time! I hope the trains were heated. 🙂

Reply
Marie

Glad you could make it! Hope you’re drinking some of that tea to get warmed up from the soggy weather : )

Reply
Nicole

Very cool. I tend to not be very politically inclined, and am thankful for people like you, who get out there and participate. Foggy camera or not, I loved all the pictures!

Reply
Krissa

Wow! I am inspired by you lady! That is too cool. I thought I was one of very few conservatives left on the face of the earth…. 😉 Even down here in Republicanland, it gets lonely sometimes…

Reply
Flea

WOW. I so miss D.C. Your pictures made me home sick. 🙂

Looks like y’all had an awesome time. I wish I could have been there!

Reply

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