People in support of change attended a Chowchilla Tea Party last Thursday, April 15. It was estimated the crowd was anywhere from 250 to 400 people, depending on who you talked to.</p><p>As people gathered at Veteran's Park in downtown Chowchilla, they were greeted by people waving United States and "Don't Tread on Me" flags on the sidewalk. Music by Chowchilla local band, Yard Dogs played throughout the evening.</p><p>Tea Party organizer David Rogers welcomed everyone in attendance.</p><p>Local Marine Peter Basler and the Boy Scout Troop presented the colors and Basler led the Pledge of Allegiance. The National Anthem was sung followed by Pastor Chad Buttrey with an invocation.</p><p>"Jesus paid the price," Buttrey stated, "I feel God has been thrown out and we have to remember we have no liberty without Him!"</p><p>Buttrey continued, "Our founding fathers lived under His guidance. It was nothing for them to have three hour prayers before their meetings."</p><p>He asked the crowd if they believed in prayer? and if they did, to please pray for our nation. The response was a loud, "Amen" by the crowd.</p><p>In his prayer he asked that the Spirit might erupt in President Obama's sleep. He asked for blessings on the leaders and for them to go by Biblical standards.</p><p>Rogers stated that last year five men got together and decided that the government had stretched beyond the Constitution. So they came together and formed a tea party.</p><p>"We are a Christian nation," stated Rogers. "This is our heritage - it is written in stone. If people don't like what it stands for - then don't be here. A lot of people are struggling to get in (to the USA), not fighting to get out. We have the right to stand up for our freedom."</p><p>Rogers stated at the Tea Party held on July 4, last year 1000 copies of the Declaration of Independence were passed out. Everyone was encouraged to sit down and read it. "If you don't like what it stands for, don't be here," stated Rogers.</p><p>Rogers introduced John Henson, Chowchilla Union High School teacher. Henson read a petition that he encouraged everyone to sign. The petition was to call elected officers on important Valley issues, such as healthcare, farming, water rights and more.</p><p>Chowchilla's Kole Upton took the stand and talked about the water issues.</p><p>"The election is our last chance," stated Upton, "I'm glad to see the Tea Party involved, I'm hopeful something will happen in our favor. Candidates need to be ready to help the farmers, I hope that everyone is with me on that."</p><p>Other speakers spoke on the change that is needed in Washington D.C. Speakers included, former Fresno City Councilman Larry Westerlund stating, "The shining city on a hill stepped into darkness a month ago with health care. We need to step back into the light."</p><p>Former Fresno Mayor Jim Patterson, State Senator Jeff Denham and former U.S. Representative Richard Pombo all spoke on change in Washington D.C. and Sacramento. They agreed that it was time for the little guy to go to Congress and fight.</p><p>"The great thing about the first amendment is that we can gripe about Government and they can't arrest us," stated Rogers.</p><p>Pastor Jim Sabin took the stand and lead a prayer for the U.S. troops and the Nation. He quoted, 2 Corinthians 7:14.</p><p>Austin Rogers and Leslie Rogers sang Amazing Grace with Austin on the guitar.</p><p>David Rogers thanked everyone for attending and stated, "Meetings like this will save this country. Let's go and kick some buns out and put the right group in."</p><p>The Tea Party Mission Statement:</p><p>The Tea Party Patriots are a group of individuals united by our shared core vales. As an organization that believes in Fiscal Responsibility, Limited Government, and Free Markets, we recognize the strength of grassroots organizing powered by activism and civic responsibility at a local level. The Tea Party mission is to organize like-minded individuals, educate and inform others based on our core values, to secure public policy consistent with those values, and to positively affect the outcome of elections.