Fight breaks out at Phoenix Tea Party event

Several people argued outside the Tea Party convention in downtown Phoenix.

Posted: 9:08 PM
Last Updated: 9 hours and 37 minutes ago

PHOENIX - While hundreds gathered for the Tea Party Patriots convention in downtown Phoenix Saturday, a verbal brawl erupted outside.

About 20 members of a group calling themselves The End of War Coalition held signs demanding that the government de-fund the war and bring the troops home. Demonstrators called the war senseless and argued that if the wars were stopped the national debt would be reduced.

When some Tea Partiers walked by and offered to buy the protesters a ticket to Iraq a fight erupted.

The big issues in the argument? The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and taxing to pay for education.

"What I have to say about them is just that if these teachers don't want to work for the wage that we can pay right now, because all the state's are bankrupt, then there's a lot more teachers out there who will work," said Tea Party member Betty Bemkamp.

The Tea Party Patriots summit continues through tomorrow.

Among today's speakers were two potential presidential candidates, former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty and Texas Rep. Ron Paul.

http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_ph ... arty-event