Protest Turns Out Nearly 1,000 Against the Proposed $1.2 Billion Tax Hike at the “Tar Heel Tea Party”

Raleigh- Throngs of North Carolina CSE activists converged on the grounds of the Legislative Building on July 31, 2001, to demand that their legislators oppose any new tax increases.

Uncle Sam joins the protest against the

proposed $1.2 billion tax increase.

The stage for what has become known as the “Tar Heel Tea Party” was set several weeks before when 62 members of the 120-member state House signed North Carolina CSE’s pledge not to increase taxes. It has played such a pivotal role in North Carolina’s political landscape that the Raleigh News & Observer refers to it simply as “The Pledge.”

Despite The Pledge, a $1.2 billion tax hike proposal stands before the General Assembly. If passed, it would be the largest in state history. North Carolina CSE mobilized its grassroots activists for action and put together the “Tar Heel Tea Party” with only a week’s preparation. Through phone trees and e-mails, the word went out to CSE activists, allies, and concerned citizens. Radio talk show hosts Jerry Agar of WPTF Radio in Raleigh and Mike Fenley of WSJS Radio in Winston-Salem helped spread the word and even broadcasted their shows live from the event.

North Carolina CSE’s opponents have come to fear its grassroots mobilization efforts. Preparations for the “Tar Heel Tea Party” prompted one despondent lobbyist, whose organization favors tax increases, to tell the News & Observer, “There’s no way we can compete with that sort of thing.”

NC CSE activists had hundreds of signs

for their legislators to read on Halifax Square.

When the day arrived, nearly 1,000 anti-tax protesters gathered in sweltering afternoon heat to hold legislators to their pledge. As the tension built, North Carolina CSE Director Jonathan Hill approached the podium. Cheers erupted, followed by the repeated chant, “No new taxes!” The crowd held a virtual blanket of signs proclaiming the same message. Hill reminded the legislators-many of whom were watching the proceedings-of their no new taxes pledge in the presence of a large media contingent.

The size of the crowd was remarkable; a television news helicopter hovered overhead to take it all in. Even more remarkable was that these people came from all across the state on a weekday, braved the oppressive heat and humidity, and represented no special interest other than their own families. And the effort only strengthened North Carolina CSE who signed up over 500 new activists that day. North Carolina’s legislators would do well to take heed.