UPDATED:
WASHINGTON (AP) — “Tea party” activists streamed into the capital they love to hate on Thursday, carrying signs that read “Don’t Tread on Me” and “Follow the Constitution” as they marked tax day — April 15.
On a sun-splashed morning, the protesters, serenaded by patriotic songs, gathered at Washington’s Freedom Plaza for an 11 a.m. rally. Several wore T-shirts with the date “April 15,” and some carried American flags.
The Tea Party Express cross-country tour was wrapping up in Washington. Local events are also planned in Oklahoma, Ohio, Wisconsin and other states.
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Tea party protesters opened their tour nearly three weeks ago with a Nevada rally that drew at least 9,000 and heard from one of the few politicians embraced by the conservative, anti-tax movement, Sarah Palin.
Mrs. Palin also starred at a tea party gathering of 5,000 on Wednesday in Boston but is not scheduled at the finale. Radio host Neal Boortz is among the listed speakers.
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