Tea Parties Rally Around Nation on Tax Day, Vowing Independence From Major Parties

clipped from newsmax.com WASHINGTON -- Tea party activists streamed into the capital they love to hate on Thursday, carrying signs that read "Don't Tread on Me" and "Follow the Constitution" as they marked tax day — April 15. On a sun-splashed morning and serenaded by patriotic songs, the protesters gathered as Washington's Freedom Plaza for an 11 a.m. rally. Several wore T-shirts with the date "April 15" and some carried American flags, the Associated Press reported. The Tea Party Express cross-country tour was wrapping up in Washington. Local events are also planned in Oklahoma, Ohio, Wisconsin, and other states. Tea party protesters opened their tour nearly three weeks ago with a Nevada rally that drew at least 9,000 and heard from one of the few politicians the conservative, anti-tax movement embraces: Sarah Palin. Palin also starred at a tea party gathering of 5,000 on Wednesday in Boston but is not scheduled at the finale. Radio host Neal Boortz is among the listed speakers.