About 80 people, including local lawmakers, gathered in Morton Park on Lincoln Avenue yesterday to protest government spending and tax increases.

The protest was part of the National Taxed Enough Already (TEA) Party movement, which takes its name from the 1773 Boston Tea Party when American colonists protested British taxes.

Participants at yesterday’s demonstration drank tea, listened to speakers and musicians and made signs for a protest that will be held at noon today outside Charleston City Hall.

Organizer Holly Rennels said she helped plan the event out of concern that government leaders are ignoring American values and the needs of their constituents.

Rennels criticized President Barack Obama for appearing to bow to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.

Rennels said both Republicans and Democrats are responsible for high taxes and government spending.

“No matter what our party alliance, we all agree that both parties got us here,” Rennels said. “We may take some jobs at the current administration … but we’re all in this together.”

State Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Charleston, also spoke at the event, criticizing calls to raise taxes to pay off Illinois’ budget deficit.

Rose said state leaders have erroneously estimated the state’s deficit at $9 billion.

“They have cobbled together seven years of debt on top of the deficit,” Rose said. “That figure is being used to justify the tax increase.”

Rose also said raising taxes is only a short-term solution to Illinois’ budget problems, adding that programs like Medicare will continue to cost the state.

“You can raise taxes any amount you want, (but) if you don’t get your arms around the cost-drivers in the state budget, you’ll be broke again,” Rose said.

Charleston resident Larry Phillips said he attended the TEA Party out of concern over government spending.

“I’m tired of our government spending all our money on pork (projects) and not looking at bills before they sign them,” Phillips said.

Norma Serrles, of Mattoon, attended the meeting with her granddaughter Tiffani Thoele, also of Mattoon.

“(I am here) to stand up for our rights,” Serrles said. “I oppose government spending when they don’t have money to spend.”

Increased income taxes and cigarette taxes have made it harder for her to endure the slumping economy, Thoele said.

“(Politicians) need to lighten up on the people, because we’re having hard economic times,” Thoele said. “They can bail us out without dragging us down.”

Joe Astrouski can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmastrouski@eiu.edu.

Larry Phillips, a Charleston resident, holds up a protest sign at the East Central Illinois Taxed Enough Already Party on Tuesday night at Morton Park. Attendees made signs for the group’s protest that will take place at noon today at City Hall. (Audrey S

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