Gaspee Day June 10, 2009 "Tea Party" Providence, RI

On June 10, 2009, 237 years to the day after angry, over-taxed Rhode Islanders burned the HMS Gaspee in the waters off Pawtuxet village, angry, over-taxed Rhode Islanders once again gathered in protest, this time on the lawn of the State House. With legislators in session inside, about 1,000 people of all ages and colors stood shoulder to shoulder outside - then paraded inside - to speak in one voice: STOP the runaway tax and spend policies; LOOK over your shoulder because we're right here watching; LISTEN to what we're telling you, or face the consequences in next year's elections.

From Gaspee Virtual Archives (http://www.gaspee.org/BurningGaspee.htm l):
HMS Gaspee and her hated commander, Lt. William Dudingston, were sent by King George III to Rhode Island waters in March of 1772 to enforce the Stamp Act and prevent smuggling. They made no friends amongst the colonists in harassing shipping and delaying, often unjustly, ships that had properly passed custom inspection in Newport.

The latter was the case on June 9, 1772, when the packet sloop Hannah left Newport for Providence. When the Gaspee gave chase, Hannah's Captain Lindsey deliberately lured her across the shallows off Namquid Point (now Gaspee Point) and left the British ship hard aground on a sandbar, unable to move until the flood tide of the following day.

Upon arrival in Providence, Captain Lindsey reported the event to John Brown, one of the most prominent and respected merchants in Rhode Island, who sent out a town crier inviting all interested parties to meet at Sabin's Tavern to plan the Gaspee's destruction. Under the leadership of Abraham Whipple, the small band of patriots rowed eight longboats with muffled oars to the stranded ship. Lt. Dudingston and his crew were taken prisoner and removed to Pawtuxet Village.

Near daylight on June 10th, the Rhode Islanders set fire to the Gaspee, burning her to the waterline whereupon her powder magazine exploded. Efforts of the Crown to learn the names of the culprits were unsuccessful, although a sizable reward had been offered. Public sentiment was in accord with the venture; this spirit of unity soon spread to the other colonies with the formation of the Committees of Correspondence to prevent further threats. It was but a short step from here to the First Continental Congress and eventually the Declaration of Independence.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Gaspee Day
• Providence RI
• Tea Party
• tax protest
• Rhode Island

[almartin77]

Congress views the people as human livestock to be harvested each week and on April 15th of each year. They dont see us as citizens entitled to the protection of the U.S. Constitution. To congress, we are a resource of personal wealth. They imprison all dissent because they fear a large-scale slave rebellion. They keep us in fear. That is tyranny.

[AmercanEagleDude]

Great video! Thanks for going out and protesting! We must end this madness!

[elemare113]

@loonmaniac Typical liberal loser - you refuse to debate issues, answer questions, and have an honest discussion. Instead, you rush to the ad hominem attacks. Do you really think you can incite me to anger with your lame misogynistic remarks? bwaaahaha - such ego! You give yourself way to much credit. Way too much. I pity your small mindedness. But by all means, keep "attacking" me. Keep proving my point.

[loonmaniac]

@elemare113 Bullshit. Why were you simps suddenly "outraged" after Jan. 20, 2009?

[elemare113]

@loonmaniac Wrong. Once again you prove yourself stupid, narrow minded and quick to stereotype. If you think taxpayers are upset only at Obama, you're dead wrong. We Independents who follow politics despite MSM lying, covering up and brainwashing sheeple like you, know Bush-Clinton-Bush-Obama is a short list in a long line of manipulators picking apart the country. Obama just has us in overdrive. Congress is the real culprit, though - leaders have been in office through all those presidents.

[loonmaniac]

@elemare113 Besides, your opinion doesn't count for shit seeing how you cheered on your hero Bush for putting TARP, Medicare part D and 2 wars on America's charge card.

[loonmaniac]

@elemare113 Shouldn't you be squeezing out kids and making meatloaf? Get in the kitchen!

[elemare113]

@loonmaniac Wow! Nice talk! Showing off your expansive, high-class liberal vocabulary, I see. I suppose I should know better than to engage someone named loonmaniac. At least you are accurate, if inarticulate. My bad. But if you earn your own living and pay taxes as you say, why would you be so hateful to those who want to stop decades of runaway tax-and-spend policies? Why wouldn't you want to keep more of what you earn? Why hate us because we want to stop Big Government intrusion and control?

[loonmaniac]

@elemare113 I work for a living you cunt, you don't pay me shit, and I don't owe you shit, you fucking wench.

[elemare113]

@loonmaniac LOL you really should have more respect for me and other taxpayers, darlin' - we pay your bills so you can continue to be the social slug you are. Enjoy it while it lasts, you miserable, ungrateful, intolerant, bigoted worm. Your days are numbered.

[loonmaniac]

Check out these teabagging faggots.

[ajm3s]

Freedom Freedom Freedom Freedom