Tea Party rally in Denver: Protesting the protesters and more

The Tea Party movement is a proudly grassroots rebellion that's deeply suspicious of the mainstream media. So perhaps the best way to get a sense of yesterday's raucous rally at the Capitol, which coincided with Tax Day and featured appearances by the likes of senatorial candidate Ken Buck, is to...

By Michael Roberts

April 16, 2010

Westword Supports Public Media

Today only, 50% of your one-time gift to Westword will be donated to our friends at PBS12. Make a gift of any amount, and help strengthen independent media across Colorado. We’re $2,800 away from our summer campaign goal, with just 3 days left!

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$17,000

$14,200

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "23668565",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "23853568",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17242653",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "24956856",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17676724",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

The Tea Party movement is a proudly grassroots rebellion that's deeply suspicious of the mainstream media. So perhaps the best way to get a sense of yesterday's raucous rally at the Capitol, which coincided with Tax Day and featured appearances by the likes of senatorial candidate Ken Buck, is to check out videos true believers made themselves.

The clip above focuses on an energetic faceoff between the Tea Party faithful and a group protesting them. Below, there's a speech highlighted by a derisive roll call of elected officials: Check out the ultra-sarcastic pronunciation of "Eddie Perlmutter!" And in a third video, note the presence of a sign declaring, "We are John Galt" -- a reference to a character from the Ayn Rand novel Atlas Shrugged described by our anonymous friends at Wikipedia as "a creator and inventor who symbolizes the power of the individual capitalist." Sounds like the life of the Party.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

A message from Michael Roberts: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of essential stories and to investigate issues that matter.

Support Today