CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Tea Party supporters demonstrated on Tax Day in front of Charlotte's old City Hall, saying they opposed the growth of big government and spending that they say will affect the lives of their children.
It was the second Tax Day Tea Party for Charlotte and organizers were hoping to draw more than the estimated 25,000 who showed up last April 15.
"We are so much in debt," said Gwen Sheeter, as she waved a sign on the sidewalk. "China owns our debt and I am afraid that our government is going to implode."
Craig Nannini is one of the original Charlotte Tea Party organizers. He says those who showed up for the rally are not the crazy people some commentators claim they are.
"I'm not a crazy guy. I'm your average, everyday dad and homeowner in Charlotte," said Nannini.
A New York Times survey found most Tea Party supporters across the country are actually wealthier and better educated than the general public.
"Somebody who believes in a limited role for government. Somebody who believes that we shouldn't spend more than we bring in," is how Nannini describes party supporters.
Under clear skies Thursday afternoon, the supporters who showed up across from the Government Center said they had nothing personal against President Obama. One man who brought his daughter, carried a sign saying, "This isn't about racism." In fact, Chris Friscia said he voted for Obama but now is disappointed.
"Out of control spending. The health bill that they passed without reading and nobody knew anything about," Friscia said was why he had turned against the president's policies.
The Charlotte Tea Party rally ended with no incidents and no trouble reported.
