Thread: Naples Florida Tea Party 2009 2,000; this year 8 - 10,000

It's a party atmosphere: Protesters celebrate tea party anniversary

* By JONATHAN FOERSTER
* Posted April 15, 2010 at 12:09 p.m.
updated April 15, 2010 at 1:20

Video from NBC-2

NAPLES —A year ago it was tea for 2,000.

And that was before a polarizing health care reform debate, Scott Brown’s Senate win and the ramping up of the mid-term elections.

So this year, organizers of the tea party tax day rally planned the party for a bigger crowd.

Naples tea party organizer Barry Willoughby said he expected a large turnout for the rally. A rough estimate from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office was “well over 1,000,â€

Tea Party protests on Tax Day


* Thousands of tea party and 9/12 Project supporters participate in a Tax Day demonstration along US 41 near the intersection of Pine Ridge Road. David Albers/Staff


* Cape Coral resident Pamela Turner waves to passing motorists with her cockatoo, Angela, during a Tax Day demonstration on Thursday, April 15, 2010 in Naples. Thousands of tea party and 9/12 Project supporters demonstrated for Tax Day along US 41 near the intersection of Pine Ridge Road. David Albers/Staff


* Seasonal resident Carol Endres, center, of Peoria, Ill., participates in a Tax Day demonstration on Thursday, April 15, 2010 in Naples. Thousands of tea party and 9/12 Project supporters demonstrated for Tax Day along US 41 near the intersection of Pine Ridge Road. David Albers/Staff


* Dave Willoughby, a retired Marine and North Naples fire fighter, participates in a Tax Day demonstration on Thursday, April 15, 2010 in Naples. Thousands of tea party and 9/12 Project supporters demonstrated for Tax Day along US 41 near the intersection of Pine Ridge Road. David Albers/Staff


* Neil Patterson, of Naples, waves to passing motorists along US 41 during a Tax Day demonstration on Thursday, April 15, 2010 in Naples. Thousands of tea party and 9/12 Project supporters demonstrated for Tax Day along US 41 near the intersection of Pine Ridge Road. David Albers/Staff


Naples resident John Ure, center, argues with tea party and 9/12 Project supporters during a Tax Day demonstration on Thursday, April 15, 2010 in Naples. Thousands of tea party and 9/12 Project supporters demonstrated for Tax Day along US 41 near the intersection of Pine Ridge Road. David Albers/Staff

Cape Coral resident Deborah Ivey waves to passing motorists while participating in a Tax Day demonstration on US 41 on Thursday, April, 15, 2010, in Naples. Thousands of tea party and 9/12 Project supporters demonstrated for Tax Day along US 41 near the intersection of Pine Ridge Road. David Albers/Staff


Brianna Sullivan, 3, and Zachary Sullivan, 5, participate in a Tax Day demonstration on Thursday, April 15, 2010 in Naples. Thousands of tea party and 9/12 Project supporters demonstrated for Tax Day along US 41 near the intersection of Pine Ridge Road. David Albers/Staff



Naples resident John Ure, at right leaning on wooden signs, counter-protests thousands of tea party and 9/12 Project supporters as they hold a Tax Day demonstration on Thursday, April 15, 2010 in Naples. Thousands of tea party and 9/12 Project supporters demonstrated for Tax Day along US 41 near the intersection of Pine Ridge Road. David Albers/Staff


Port Charlotte resident David Souza, 61, waves to passing motorists from the median on US 41 during a Tax Day demonstration on Thursday, April 15, 2010 in Naples.Thousands of tea party and 9/12 Project supporters demonstrated for Tax Day along US 41 near the intersection of Pine Ridge Road. David Albers/Staff


Seasonal resident Carol Endres, of Peoria, Ill., participates in a Tax Day demonstration on Thursday, April 15, 2010 in Naples. Thousands of tea party and 9/12 Project supporters demonstrated for Tax Day along US 41 near the intersection of Pine Ridge Road. David Albers/Staff



Dave Willoughby, a former Marine and North Naples fire fighter, participates in a Tax Day demonstration on Thursday, April 15, 2010 in Naples. Thousands of tea party and 9/12 Project supporters demonstrated for Tax Day along US 41 near the intersection of Pine Ridge Road. David Albers/Staff

[quote]“I like the federal government,â€