Rochester Tea Party leader Chris Edes issued a formal statement today, demanding Mayor Richards cease arresting Occupy Rochester protesters immediately.

“If we allow Mayor Richards to violate the First Amendment rights of the Occupy Rochester protesters, what is to prevent him from doing it to the Tea Party?” said Edes.

“The purpose of the law requiring city parks to close at 11pm is to deter crime. When dealing with First Amendment issues, the government must use the least restrictive means possible to achieve their goals. Requiring everyone to leave is clearly not the least restrictive means, even if the Mayor could point to specific instances of crime, which so far he has not. Mayor Richards’ actions are unconstitutional and if necessary, he will be held accountable in a court of law.”

Edes also noted that the Tea Party shares some common goals with the Occupy Wall Street movement. “It is the Federal Reserve, along with the banks and investment firms, and their lackeys in government, which created our economic crisis. This is becoming increasingly obvious to Americans of all political persuasions. It is shameful that Mayor Richards believes he can stifle the peaceful expression of outrage over this fact.”

Edes plans to join this afternoon’s march on City Hall, demanding that Richards cease his unlawful activity.

Phil Moffett and John T. Kemper III, Republican candidates for Governor and Auditor, respectively, had signed a petition which would allow Libertarian Party candidate for State Treasurer Ken Moellman a place on the ballot.

Republicans and Democrats do not need to collect signatures to appear on the ballot, but other parties must under Kentucky state law. “I don’t think that’s the right thing to do,” Moffett said. “We’re all Kentuckians. We’re all citizens. And we should all have equal access.”

Kentucky GOP Chair Steve Robertson has threatened to have both candidates removed from the ballot if they win the primary, using a provision of Kentucky election law. Candidates for election in a primary must sign a statement saying they “intend to support its principles and policies” of their party. Robertson alleges that signing a petition allowing another candidate to run for office violates this oath.

If upheld by the courts, his challenge would enable the second-place finisher to take the nomination. Should Moffett or Kemper win, the likely runners up would be candidates favored by party leaders such as Robertson.

“When it comes to competition, Mr. Robertson’s views appear closer to Karl Marx than Adam Smith,” said Free & Equal chair Christina Tobin. “How ironic that he would cite the principles of the Republican Party, while opposing a free market in ideas.”

Among the speakers will be nationally known former Sheriff Richard Mack, 2004 Presidential candidate Michael Badnarik, Free & Equal Chair and founder Christina Tobin, and Free & Equal Kentucky caucus leader Ginny Saville.

In addition to their usual presentations on the meaning and practical effect of the Constitution, Mack and Badnarik are discussing the recent allegations from all sides of the political spectrum that the DEA is abusing its powers, using novel interpretations of its authority or in defiance of orders.

Christina is scheduled to speak at 11:15 a.m. on the topic: “Ballot Access, The Forgotten Freedom.” Constitution Party candidate for governor and Free & Equal board member Randy Stufflebeam will give the other keynote at 2:05 p.m. on the topic, “To Veterans: Remember Your Oath.”

The Rockford Tea Party exemplifies the best of the Tea Party movement everyday citizens concerned about the well-being of their nation, not partisan politics.

The issues on the table this weekend: double-digit unemployment, the declining value of the dollar, out-of-control government spending, and a waning respect for the sovereignty of the people.

But it’s not the specific issues Free & Equal is excited about. It’s people organizing at the grassroots to effect change at a time when widespread discontent and disenchantment have taken hold of the nation. If the established order can’t get the job done, then it’s the job of the people to remind that order who’s really in charge of this country.

By George, we are in charge.

And we ask: How can the people be in charge of their country while not being allowed to make the most important of choices: for whom they will cast their vote?

___________________________

In other news:

Oklahomans for Ballot Access Reform successfully manufactured some media attention yesterday. The group held a press conference at the state Capitol, using Presidents Day as an excuse to raise the issue that third-party and independent presidential candidates are routinely kept off the state’s election ballots by its astronomical signature requirement, the highest in the nation at 3 percent (5 percent for new party recognition).

OBAR’s clever gimmick was to have representatives from each of the state’s third parties stand before the media with their mouths taped shut, symbolic of how the state has silenced them for many years by shutting them out of electoral politics.

Oklahoma City News Channel 4 (KFOR) did a good story. See it HERE. But note one mistake: House Bill 1072, as amended, would not lower the state’s new-party requirement to a flat 5,000 signatures. That’s what OBAR wants, but the duopoly thus far has worked to water-down the bill, even to the point that it threatens to barely offer “reform” at all. We can’t let them get away with it. OK’s first real chance at reform in years has come too far to let it slip through Lady Liberty’s fingers.

Chicago America’s Independence Day Tea Party: A Non-Partisan, Astroturf-Free Tea Party

Chicago, Il – On Saturday July 4^th, hundreds of “Tea Parties” will be held across the nation, drawing attention to the American people’s growing dissatisfaction with the actions of our Federal government.

Unfortunately, many of the Tea Parties are organized by “Astroturf” political consultants, intent on making the Tea Parties nothing but an artificial Republican Party rally, complete with the feigned outrage of talk radio talking heads.

The Free & Equal.org/ ReTeaParty.com Tea Party to be held in Chicago will be something very different.

Chicago’s Independence Day Tea Party will take place this Saturday, July 4^th, 2009. The event will take place from 12 Noon until 4pm in Gateway Park at Navy Pier.

The America’s Independence Day Tea Party Movement is a nationwide demonstration forum for any and all groups and individuals dissatisfied with the current governance of the United States, regardless of ideology, partisan identity, or political affiliation.

On July 4^th, 2009, we are asking Americans everywhere to re-declare our inalienable rights to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

The Independence Day Tea Parties are very different in nature from other tea parties taking place around the nation. The Free & Equal/ ReTea Parties are non-partisan in nature, and will feature speakers and guests from across the political spectrum.

“The Chicago Independence Day Tea Party is a fully nonpartisan event, with guests from all across the political spectrum,” said Free and Equal Chair and event organizer Christina Tobin.

Tobin added, “This will be a forum for any and all groups and individuals dissatisfied with the current governance of the United States, regardless of ideology, partisan identity, or political affiliation.  While we may disagree on the solutions, on July 4th, 2009 we will come together as Americans to peacefully express our dissent from the current political status quo.”

Free & Equal.org & ReTeaParty have announced the speakers for the Chicago Tea Party. This diverse list of speakers includes members of several different political parties, activists from assorted political backgrounds, and authors who continue to challenge the current political status quo.

Read On for a List of Speakers:

Free & Equal.org/ ReTeaParty.com Chicago Tea Party Speakers:

12:00 – 12:25 Christos Dimoulis, Concerned Youth of America (Member NCFCA National Debate Team)

12:30 – 12:45 Paul Jacob, President of Citizens in Charge

12:45 – 1:00 Richard Lorenc, Director of Outreach at Illinois Policy Institute

1:05 – 1:20 John Bambenek, Author and Activist: The put-back amendment; reforming the State Legislature to be responsive tothe people

1:30 – 1:45 Theresa Amato, Campaign Manager for Ralph Nader for President 2000 & 2004, and author of Grand Illusion: The Myth of Voter Choice in a Two-Party Tyranny.

1:45 – 1:55 Rosanna Pulido, (IL 5) Congressional Candidate

2:00 – 2:10 Artist Marc Rubin, Art and Freedom

2:15 – 2:25 Charlie Howe, Green Party Activist & Candidate

2:30 – 2:45 Jim Tobin, President of National Taxpayers United of Illinois

2:50 – 3:00 Adam Andrzejewski, Republican Candidate for Governor of Illinois

3:05- 3:15 Rev. Isaac Hayes, Republican Congressional Candidate

3:20 – 3:30 Peter Lewis, Former Illinois State Coordinator for Ralph Nader 2008

3:30 – 3:45 Gary Franchi, Restore the Republic

3:45-Close Christina Tobin, Founder & Chair, Free & Equal Elections.

For more information on this, and other Free & Equal/ ReTea Parties, contact Christina Tobin at 312-320-4101, or Christina@FreeAndEqual.org

ReTeaParty.com & The America’s Independence Day Tea Party Movement is a nationwide demonstration forum for any and all groups and individuals dissatisfied with the current governance of the United States, regardless of ideology, partisan identity, or political affiliation.

Free & Equal is a non-partisan election reform and activist organization dedicated to improving ballot access laws in the United States.

Many states have restrictive requirements that make it difficult for Independent and Third Party candidates to place their names on the ballot.

Free & Equal will challenge these laws, through lobbying of state legislators, court challenges, and initiatives.

Free & Equal will also engage in activism for causes independent of the current two-party duopoly.

Click Here to go to the ReTeaParty Chicago Page

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

On July 4th, 2009, let’s re-declare  them!

Free & Equal has announced that we will be joining with ReTeaParty.com to coordinate a nationwide protest on July 4, 2009.

On the anniversary of our independence, together, we will be asking Americans across the country to stand up and re-declare their independence from political favoritism and partisan politics.

Many of us have chosen to register as Democrats.  Many as Republican.  Others as one of the third parties or not at all. On July 4th, 2009, we will be re-declaring our independence by registering as Independent, Non-Partisan,  Unaffiliated, or into a party that is more representative of our independent political  tendencies.

Stay tuned as ReTeaParty.com will soon unveil a new interactive website so that individuals like you can take charge of your local event coordination. Let’s stop looking to Washington DC and partisan political players to save our freedoms. More than anyone else in the world, Americans independently understand the principles of self-responsibility and respect for individual rights. On July 4th, 2009, let’s re-declare them.

Will you Join Us?