NJ: Patrick Henry popular at Tea Party rally in Trenton

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Patrick Henry popular at Tea Party rally in Trenton

Patrick Henry popular at Tea
Party rally in Trenton

By JASON METHOD • STAFF WRITER • April 15,
2010

TRENTON — Eugene Hoyas, arrayed as a colonial
soldier, stood on the steps of the Statehouse within
sight of the historic barracks once attacked by
George Washington, and told 400 Tea Party
protestors on Thursday that it was time for a new
American Revolution.

Hoyas, 50, of Warren Township in Somerset County,
who called himself the Ghost of America, lamented
the size of the federal government and increasing
taxes.

Then, as he read a portion of a speech by patriot
Patrick Henry, the crowd chanted in unison: "Give
me liberty, or give me death!"

Tea Party rallies were staged throughout the country
today, the deadline to file income tax returns. In
New Jersey, rallies were also scheduled in East
Orange, Hackensack and Morristown.

Protestors, many dressed in red, white and blue,
came from every corner of the state to voice a litany
of complaints as they held up signs and passed out
pamphlets.

They were angry and worried — angry over
President Obama's health care plan, the Wall Street
bailouts, federal government debt, and illegal
immigration, while worried about the loss of jobs
and future tax increases.

Although all under the Tea Party Banner, the rally
attracted a variety of philosophies. At an
informational section, a table for the Constitution
Party stood next to a table for the Libertarian Party
and the John Birch Society. On another table lay the
writings of 20th Century philosopher Ayn Rand.

Many said they were supportive of Gov. Chris
Christie. But former Bogota Mayor Steven Lonegan,
who opposed Christie in the Republican primary last
year, addressed the crowd while holding a 10,000-
signature petition asking Christie to have the state
join a lawsuit to stop the new national health care
program.

Mark A. Falzon, 56, of Middletown, an unemployed
telecommunications manager, said he had given up
looking for work but has now filed to run in the
Democratic congressional party against U.S. Rep.
Frank Pallone Jr.

"We're not going to give the radical Democrats a
pass in their own party," Falzon declared. "I don't
understand how a country $10 trillion in debt can
add to it."

Dwight Kehoe, 62, of Little Silver, a retired electrical
contractor, is one of the leaders of the Bayshore Tea
Party. Kehoe said that he was personally wealthy
enough not to worry about his future, but was
worried about the future of the country for his
children and grandchildren.

"I didn't realize how bad Obama would be in terms
of taking our country off into something I didn't
grow up in," Kehoe said.

That sentiment was echoed by Milt Langley, 62, of
Vineland, a retired Kimball Glass worker and U.S.
Army sergeant who sported a chest-long white
beard and wore a stars-and-stripes shirt.

http://www.app.com/article/20100415/NEW ... in-Trenton