Demonstrators hold bayfront tea party

For the second year in a row, demonstrators who say they are fed up with the federal government held a Tax Day tea party on Sarasota’s bayfront.

The event was scheduled to run from 4-7 p.m., and by 4:15 p.m., more than 200 protesters lined the west side of U.S. 41 from Gulf Stream Avenue almost all the way to Main Street.

The demonstrators held handmade signs that read such things as “Stop the porkpockets in D.C.,” “Don’t tax me, bro” and “Sweep the Senate out.”

The demonstrators said Washington, D.C., in particular President Barack Obama, is not listening to what the people want.

“We’re patriots,” said Gail Emmott, of Sarasota. “We hate what’s happening to our country.”

Said Connie Waymer, of Sarasota: “We don’t want our grandchildren to pay for all of this.”

Before last year’s tea party, organizers predicted about 50 people would show up, instead more than 1,000 attended.

Contact Robin Roy at [email protected].