Dozens rally at Ypsi's City Hall on Tax Day

By Christine Laughren
Apr. 15, 2009    ·    4:10 p.m.

Horns honked in support as approximately two-dozen area residents held signs in front of Ypsilanti’s City Hall this afternoon to protest government spending and taxes as part of a nation-wide TAX Day TEA Party rally.

It is estimated by event organizers that more than 2,000 organized rallies were held in front of city halls across the nation. FreedomWorks, an organization chaired by former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas), co-sponsored the event.

During her speech to the crowd Ypsilanti resident Shelly Czupinski said she is fed up with the increasing U.S. deficit.

"Once upon a time any school kid would be able to tell you that if you owe a bunch of money you don’t go borrowing more money for things you don’t absolutely need,” she said.

Michael Byrum, Ypsilanti resident and volunteer organizer, said he thinks Barack Obama’s administration is moving too much toward socialism.

“Socialism doesn’t work,” he said. “Eventually you run out of other people’s money.”

TEA (Taxed Enough Already) parties take their name from the Boston Tea Party, a revolt in 1773 by colonists in Boston, against British tax on tea.

The event was organized to coincide with last day tax returns can be mailed to the government.