Rock and reload for tea parties this weekend

One year ago this week, tens of thousands of patriots held "tea parties" in 40 cities in protest of government expansion, bailouts and the stimulus package, launching a nationwide movement – and now those citizens are regrouping and heading back to the streets to "recharge the movement" Saturday.

Feb. 27 marks the one-year anniversary of the first round of protests following CNBC analyst Rick Santelli speech against President Obama's proposed bailout plan and other massive spending measures.

Sept. 12, 2009, Washington march photo by Barbara Auchter

WND has documented the tea-party movement from its very beginning, with on-the-scene coverage of the very first protests of Feb. 2009, Tax Day protests, Independence Day protests, Oct. 17 protests against the mainstream media, a Nov. 5 "Emergency House Call on Congress," the 9/12 Taxpayer March on Washington and the first national tea-party convention.

Want to understand the tea-party movement and see what its adherents really believe? Check out their signs!

WND was also first to report when Democrat operatives – using a suite address for Joseph Sandler, general counsel to the Democratic National Committee and a lead attorney in the Obama eligibility case – launched a major ad campaign to "prevent the tea party's dangerous ideas from gaining legislative traction."

The tea-party movement is now putting Obama himself on notice as thousands plan a Tax Day march on the White House in April.

"We're delivering this one right to the White House," Adam Brandon of FreedomWorks said. "It could spill out over into the Washington Monument, so it'll be a hell of a visual."

Also, Tea Party Nation has announced plans for a National Tea Party Unity Convention, July 15-17, in Las Vegas.

"The event is to bring tea-party leaders and activists in the movement together to present a unified front as we go into the fall 2010 elections," said Judson Phillips, Tea Party Nation president.

This weekend, many tea-party groups across the nation will screen "Tea Party: The Documentary Film." The movie, produced by Luke Livingston, follows the nationwide surge of civic engagement from its beginnings as grass-roots citizens take a stand against big government. The following is a trailer for the film:

Also this weekend, tea partiers will strike again with "Recharge the Movement" street demonstrations. Tea Party Patriots, a leading organization in the movement, has posted information for at least 30 events scheduled for Saturday, including the following:

Laguna Beach, Calif. – Feb. 27, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Main Beach in Laguna Beach, PCH and Broadway. Contact Linda Dorr (949)499-6083

Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. – Feb. 27, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Foothill/Day Creek intersection. Contact Laura Boatright (909)297-6020

Sacramento, Calif. – Feb. 27, 12 p.m. at state capitol building, north steps. Contact Dan at (916)222-8991

San Diego, Calif. – Feb. 27, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., N. Harbor Dr., just north of the Star of India. Keynote speeches by WND columnist Roger Hedgecock and Richard Rider. Contact Dawn Wildman (619)606-0337

Temecula, Calif. – Feb. 27, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., duck pond in Temecula, Ynez and Rancho California Road. Bring your own signs. Contact Bridget Blanton (951)302-1075

Thousand Oaks, Calif. – Feb. 27, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Lynn Rd. and Hillcrest Dr. Contact Carolyn Guillot at (805)262-2477

Woodland Hills, Calif. – Feb. 27, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Warner Center Park, 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd. at Califa Street. Contact Karen Kenney at (818)881-7176

Hartford, Conn. – Feb. 27, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., front steps of state capitol building.

Wilmington, Del. – Feb. 27, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Chase buildings, 201 N. Walnut Street. Evan Queitsch at (302) 533-7498

Deland, Fla. – Feb. 27, 10 a.m., Volusia County Fairgrounds & Expo Center, 3150 E State Road 44. Contact Rhonda Lee Welsch at (386)690-7814

Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. – Feb. 27, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., PGA & Military Palm Beach Gardens. Contact Meg at (561)247-5264

West Palm Beach, Fla. – Feb. 27, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Military and Okeechobee Blvd. Contact Everett at (561) 247-5264

Hamilton, Ga. – Feb. 27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., caravan leaves from courthouse parking in Hamilton to Atlanta. Contact Kathy Ropte at (706)587-7834

Meansville, Ga. – Feb. 27, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Meansville city hall and train depot. Contact TC Meuninck at (770)296-5784

Columbus, Ga. – Feb. 27, 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., tea party and candidate Q&A, VFW Post, 1824 Victory Drive. Contact Sandy Toth at (706)569-8791

Riley, Kan. – Feb. 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Riley County Grade School, 100 N. Remmele, at the junction of US Hwy-77 and US Hwy-24, directly north of Fort Riley Army installation. Contact Chuck Henderson at (785)236-1286

Minneapolis, Minn. – Feb. 27, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Rep. Keith Ellison's Minneapolis office, 2100 Plymouth Ave. N. Contact Wes Whitby at (612)845-7085

St. Louis, Mo. – Feb. 27, 1:30 p.m., on steps of Gateway Arch. Bring signs, but they cannot have poles or sticks attached.

Buffalo, N.Y. – Feb. 27, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., Lafayette Tap Room, 391 Washington St. Watch tea-party movie and listen to speakers. Contact Allen Coniglio at (716)834-7215

Commack, N.Y. – Feb. 27, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., northeast corner of Jericho Turnpike and Rt 454 (Veterans Memorial Highway). Contact Judy Pepenella at (631)940-2019

Elmsford, N.Y. – Feb. 27, 1 p.m., Alaroma Ristorante, 86 East Main Street. Tea party documentary to play. Contact Jon Coolong at (201)206-3009

Garden City, N.Y. – Feb. 27, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., corner of Old Country Road and Clinton Street. Contact Judy Pepenella at (631)940-2019

Rome, N.Y. – Feb. 27, 12 p.m., under the four-story painting of Paul Revere, between Erie Blvd. and West Dominick. Contact Don Jeror at (315)337-4743

Syracuse, N.Y. – Feb. 27, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., James Hanley Federal Building, 100 South Clinton Street. Contact Joanne Wilder at (315)247-2256

New Bern, N.C. – Feb. 27, 6 p.m., tea-party movie screening, Township Six (Carolina Pines) Fire Station, 109 Carolina Pines Blvd. RSVP at website for screening.

Rockingham, N.C. – Feb. 27, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Rep. Larry Kissell's office, 230 East Franklin St. Contact Russ Fincham at (910)997-7370

Bowling Green, Ohio – Feb. 27, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., outside Bob Latta's office, 1045 N. Main St., Suite 6. Contact Scott Boston at (419)419-9436

Philadelphia, Pa. – Feb. 27, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., corner of Broad Street and Washington Ave. Lunch fundraiser follows rally. Contact Diana Reimer at (215)361-3094

Pittsburgh, Pa. – Feb. 27, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., St. John's Lutheran Church of Highland, 311 Cumberland Road. Breakfast and movie "Tea Party: The Documentary Film." Please bring food items. Contact Patti Weaver at (412)779-0854

Flatonia, Texas – Feb. 27, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Main Street parking lot in downtown Flatonia, East North Main Street and Penn Ave.

Woodville, Texas – Feb. 27, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., courthouse in downtown Woodville. Contact Mike Garza at (409)673-8696

Oak Ridge North, Texas – Feb. 27, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., North Houston Tea Party Patriots headquarters parking lot, 26710 Interstate 45 North. Contact Suzanne Guggenheim at (281)738-3272

Richland, Wash. – Feb. 27, 12 p.m., John Dam Plaza, 505 Swift Blvd. Tea-party birthday celebration. Participants may rally on sidewalk along GW Way. Contact Jim Forbes at (509)551-4262

Seattle, Wash. – Feb. 27, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Northgate Mall (North end) NE Northgate Way, between 1st and 3rd Ave. Simple sidewalk demonstration. No speakers, maybe a bullhorn. Come with creative signs and costumes. Contact Sally Oljar at (206)948-9172

Are you planning a tea party? WND is your place to plan your event. If you would like to include your Feb. 27 tea party in this list, send the city, time, location and point of contact to WND.