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We Surround Rochester
Aug 28, 2010, Washington DC
By rochester_veteran
June 16, 2009 was the much anticipated road trip to the March On Albany. We had beautiful weather forecasted for the day and enough people to cover the cost of a charter bus. Two pickup points were chosen, Suburban Plaza in Henrietta, convenient to Westsiders and Eastview Mall that was convenient to Eastsiders. Harkening from North Chili, the Suburban Plaza pickup spot was the one that was closest to me and I got there about 6:35am and collected tickets and took a head count of those who told us they were boarding. We had to depart at 7am and go to Eastview Mall and made it out right on time. We made our pickup at Eastview and were on the road to Albany at around 7:45am.
Thanks to our bus driver, Reggie, we made good time getting to Albany and got there just past 11am. We took a group photo at the base of the steps of the entrance of Empire State Plaza.
What a great group the Rochester Contingent had for Albany! Most participated in that moving Tax Day Rochester Tea Party back on April 15 and a few of us were grizzled veterans of the Commando Rochester Tea Party back on March 11.
We gathered everyone up and along with some folks from Buffalo, we trekked across the Empire State Plaza.
We arrived at the rally point of East Capitol Park at the base of the front steps of the Capitol Building.
When we arrived at the park, we “bus people” were met by those of the Rochester Contingent who drove by car to the March On Albany.
At the beginning of the rally, each State Contingent were allowed a representative to announce ourselves over the (most excellent!) PA system. Erik announced the Rochester Contingent and that our rally point was just behind the horses behind! 
The program was started by a 4 year old boy who led us in the Pledge. He did a great job.
Here’s a wide angle shot of the Rochester Contingent:
Then 9 year old, Gloria Senecal, did a recitation of Our Flag.
This lovely young lady, Onye Kline, led us in the National Anthem:
The Rochester Contingent showing our respect for the moment.
This Rochester Contingent veteran showed his respect for the Flag by saluting, a gesture that was approved of this past October 2008. Veterans, regardless if in uniform or civies are now allowed to salute the Colors during their passage and during the National Anthem.
The Master of Ceremonies for the March on Albany was a local radio personality Al Roney from 810 WGY.
There were quite a few speakers. Here are a few of the people who spoke.
Brian Whitehurst spoke on Repealing the 17th Amendment
Here’s Boyd Tuttle, honoring his Dad and all veterans who sacrificed to keep us free.
John Stevens gave a speech on the Liberty Flag
Daniel Smith on Motives of Service
Tom Chandler spoke on civil rights.
Leonard Roberto spoke about Primary Challenge & Project 2010
Stephen Flanagan spoke about Effective Political Action.
Spyder gave a great speech as well, on not being afraid to stand up and take our government back.
There were plenty of young people at the rally.
The Albany media was also present and interviewed Rochester Tea Party veteran, Linda.
Erik was also interviewed.
Three corner hats were in vogue.
Here’s Vivian’s latest creation.
Uncle Sam was there!
And then there was this guy who resembled the Denver Bronco trash can guy!
There was some great live music as well. Again, if you can help me indentifying the last musician picture below, please email me at rochester_veteran@yahoo.com or post in the comments of this blog.
Here’s Chris Cassone performing “Take It Back”.
Bruce Winn performed several times.
Jay Kline also played a few times.
There were some great signs at the March on Albany that epitomized citizens concerns for our great State and Nation.
And my favorite.
When the rally ended at 3pm, those of us who were still there gathered for a group picture on the Capitol steps.
By the time we made our way back across Empire State Plaza to the bus pickup point, Reggie was there waiting for us. We got back to Rochester just past 7pm.
BTW, the wonderful photos that were shown on this blog post of the March on Albany were taken by Ron C. of RC2Photo.com. Many thanks, Ron!
Here’s a video that Ken H produced on our adventure on the March on Albany.
Kudos to the various New York State Tea Party groups, including Erik, who helped organize the March on Albany and especially the Albany Group, who pulled it all together!
All POW-MIA
16 responses so far ↓
1 Sue M // Jun 19, 2009 at 12:11 am
Great photo’s….wish I could have been there with all of you. No grandbaby yet. Keep us posted on the next rally. Great job!!! Sue M
2 phantomlord // Jun 19, 2009 at 12:22 am
Looks like a nice turnout from Rochester. Too bad I couldn’t make it.
3 rochester_veteran // Jun 19, 2009 at 5:36 am
Sue,
Make sure you let us know when your grandbaby arrives!
PL,
The Rochester Contingent was well represented. Counting the people who drove, we had around 40 people.
4 Elaine W. // Jun 19, 2009 at 7:18 am
Great summary, and I love the photos with your commentary! It was a productive time, and the rally leader was interviewed on Glenn Beck the next day. The bus made it easy, but thank you also to all those who drove! Lots of ideas and points of discussion for our next rally.
5 Ken // Jun 19, 2009 at 8:37 am
For anyone who wants to take a stab at which speaker is which… here’s the speaker/music list:
March on Albany – Schedule of Events
Event Schedule
Start TimeLength Description Presenter
12:00 PM 1 min. Pledge of Allegiance TBD
12:01 PM 2 min. Invocation Jay Kline
12:03 PM 2 min. National Anthem Onye Kline
12:05 PM 5 min. Welcome & Introduction Wade Abbott
12:10 PM 5 min. Introduction of MC & MC Comments Wade Abbott & Al Roney
12:15 PM 9 min.
Speech – Brief History of New York’s
Role in the Struggle for Liberty Michael Kicinski
12:24 PM 2 min. Poem – Our Flag Gloria Senecal
12:26 PM 3 min.
Recognition of Active Duty Military &
Veterans Boyd Tuttle
12:29 PM 9 min. Speech – Liberty Flag John Stevens
12:38 PM 5 min. Music Bruce Winn
12:43 PM 9 min. Speech – Motives of Service Daniel Smith
12:52 PM 5 min. Music Chris Cassone
12:57 PM 9 min.
Speech – What We Bled for at Saratoga
Yesterday, Albany Takes from Us Today Joseph Vottis
1:06 PM 5 min. Music Bruce Winn
1:11 PM 9 min.
Speech – A Warning from President
George Washington Lee Ferris
1:20 PM 5 min. Music Devon Hudson & Onye Kline
1:25 PM 9 min. Speech – Unkown Title Steven Vasquez
1:34 PM 7 min.
Speech – Repealing the 17th
Amendment Brian Whitehurst
1:41 PM 5 min. Music Jay Kline
1:46 PM 7 min. Speech – Should I Leave New York? Dave Coughlin
1:53 PM 5 min. Music Ameros???
1:58 PM 9 min. Speech – Civil Rights Tom Chandler
2:07 PM 5 min. Music Jay Kline
2:12 PM 9 min. Speech – Our Government is a Cancer Anthony Bianchini
2:21 PM 5 min. Music Bruce Winn
2:26 PM 9 min.
Speech – Primary Challenge & Project
2010 Leonard Roberto
2:35 PM 5 min. Music Jay Kline
2:40 PM 9 min. Speech – A Gathering for Freedom John Wallace
2:49 PM 9 min. Speech – Effective Political Action Stephen Flanagan
2:58 PM 2 min. Closing Spyder
6 Ken // Jun 19, 2009 at 8:44 am
I really liked the guy that did the ‘Take it Back’ song, so I looked him up:
http://www.chriscassone.com/journal/2009/4/1/take-our-country-back-is-the-tea-party-anthem.html
He’s the guy in the black TShirt with ‘Got Tea’
12:52 PM 5 min. Music Chris Cassone
You can hear that song on his site too.
There were a couple of really terrific speeches. In the blue shirt, wtih the mod bald thing going was one of the guys. He’s in my video too, and it was hard to cut stuff out of that speech, it was all so good.
From the schedule, I think he was:
12:43 PM 9 min. Speech – Motives of Service Daniel Smith
Thanks for putting this together RV.
7 LisaG // Jun 19, 2009 at 9:47 am
Great day! Great people, great networking, 23 groupd from across New York State. We are getting heard! We are making a difference!!
8 Dan Maloney // Jun 19, 2009 at 10:38 am
Great Job, RV!!
Thank you to everyone who was able to make the trip to Albany!
I’ve got a report up at:
http://nygoe.wordpress.com/2009/06/16/tea-party-march-on-albany/
You all did a fabulous job!
Dan Maloney
NY State Coordinator
Gathering of Eagles
http://nygoe.wordpress.com/
http://libertyboy.wordpress.com/
9 HowardRoarke // Jun 19, 2009 at 5:21 pm
You guys are getting coverage on other blogs.
Great job!
10 Daniel Smith // Jun 19, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Hey, I am the bald guy with the big mouth in the picture.I t was great of you all to travel so far to come to Albany. It is a shame it is to have to try and beat some sense into those who represent us…I mean themselves… that has to stop, whatever the course of action is, it needs to be just that…action. We need to stay active, keep the movement going, supporting each other and engaging those who would pick our pockets…grab their hands out of our pockets and give them a swift kick in the backside…right out the door of their offices.
Check out my website if you like, It was something I had envisioned a bit before rick Santelli took to the floor of the chicago Mercantile and called for tea Parties. Once I got hooked up with the Albany movement, the site has pretty much say dormant..I have the “We Those People” forum set up as a place to meet, nationwide, set up by region to promote ideas and action. If it got some interest, I would like to have it used and i would try and promote it. I just dont want to gum up the works
be good and fight the good fight !!!
11 Linda L. // Jun 20, 2009 at 11:14 am
I couldn’t make it that day. But thanks so much for sharing your experiences. I feel like I was able to benefit from this web page and from reading the commits on our we surround them messege boards. Thanks again for sharing
12 rochester_veteran // Jun 20, 2009 at 11:21 am
Daniel, could you post the text of your speech, it was powerful man!
I’ll be sure to check out your website and I’ll post the link to the RC Blogroll.
Movements are sparked by defining moments and Rick Santelli on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile ignited OUR movement, but the sentiments have been simmering for quite a while. We need to capitalize on the energy that the Tea Party Movement is building and turn it into a peaceful revolution of regular citizens, taking back the reins of government from the career politicians!
And thanks to all who’ve posted comments, your encouraging words are heartening!
RV
13 Charlie // Jun 20, 2009 at 7:00 pm
I definitely had a great time. I could barely talk for a few days after from the shouting. That made the wife happy!
Looking forward to 7/3. I got a few poster put up today. I tried to put one up at the American Legion, but their charter says they have to remain neutral. Too bad. If there was ever a support group, that would be it!
14 Kate // Jun 20, 2009 at 7:01 pm
… Great job, RV!
Exceptional summary.
15 Christine // Jul 7, 2009 at 6:16 am
Please contact me! I went to two Tea Parties on my way back from vacation stopping in Canton, OH and Erie, PA. Both well attended and filled with the spirit of our founding fathers!! I now live in Syracuse, but grew up in Rochester. I am even more proud to be a Rochesterian after watching your video marching and speaking out in Albany and seeing pictures of fellow Americans speaking out. (Wish I were there!) I would love to support your effort, and would love to know who I can contact to do so. Thanks…ecrobison@prodigy.net
16 rochester_veteran // Jul 7, 2009 at 9:35 am
Christine,
So you were at 2 Tea Parties over the weekend! Cool!
I’ll put you in touch with the Syracuse Tea Party folks. Watch you email.
RV