RI'ers converge for tax day tea party

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Thousands of Rhode Island taxpayers converged on the State House Wednesday to take part of the Providence Tax Day Tea Party.

The tax protest, modeled after the original Boston Tea party, is part of a nationwide, grassroots effort that consists of more than 300 events in all 50 states.

"It's just spend, spend, spend and there's no moral obligations to anything. It needs to change," said protester Kristen Majkut.

Similar protests have been popping up across the country since February. However, Wednesday's series of protests was planned specifically for April 15, the day on which Americans must file their income taxes. 

Many of the protesters said they want to send a message to local and national leaders that they must be more fiscally responsible and need to lower taxes. They also expressed displeasure with recent company bailouts.

"Companies should be responsible. You get successful by failing. So you fail, you start again. That's what happens to the rest of us," said Deb Thornton, protester.

"They've forgotten who the true bosses are - we the taxpayers," said protester Rob Durand. "It seems like we're being walked over. No one is paying attention to us."

A sentiment echoed by the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, who issued a plea Wednesday for Rhode Islanders to contact their local lawmakers about proposed tax increases the General Assembly is currently considering.

"Piling on new taxes to preserve the status quo simply won't work in 2009," a chamber e-brief stated. "We also worry that $500 million in federal stimulus monies will only mask the real problems."

Rhode Island's event is schedule to run until 6 p.m. on the city-side of the State House, across from Providence Place.