Tea party protest goes beyond Capitol

Metro Atlanta

Tea party protest goes beyond Capitol

Tea party protest at the Georgia Capitol and in Marietta, Ga.

Protesters at the Georgia Capitol watch Sean Hannity's TV broadcast during the Atlanta Tax Day Tea Party, one of many held across the country. Participants were protesting higher taxes and government intrusion into their lives.

Sean Hannity signs his autograph for Christine Abshier of Sevierville, Tenn., after the broadcast of his show.

Washington Street in front of the Georgia Capitol was packed by 6 p.m.

Kathleen O'Neil (left) and Donna Strand, who are neighbors in Smyrna, came to the Atlanta Tax Day Tea Party in Lady Liberty tiaras.

Tom Lattanzio of Woodstock holds a copy of the U.S. Constitution.

Kevin Marler (left), a doctor in Douglas County, signs up for a tea party contact list as he chats with volunteer Susan Darnell of Smyrna.

Sandra Wilder of Franklin quietly stands in the throng.

Former U.S. Rep. Dick Armey, who was the main author of the Contract with America during the 1990s, speaks at the Atlanta Tax Day Tea Party.

Joan Schloegel (left) of Newnan, Donna Ray (center, red jacket), and her husband, Ben Ray (right, red jacket) of Gainesville recite the oath of office elected officials take "to defend the Constitution" during the protest.

John Rich of the country music duo Big and Rich warms up the crowd before singing at the Capitol protest.

Thousands turned out in downtown Atlanta for the protest.

Sheila Harris (left) drove from Smithville, Miss., to Atlanta to attend her first-ever protest. Next to her (wearing cap) is Dave Rutledge of Hiawassee.

Sue White of Canton shouts with other protesters at the Capitol.

Crowds of protesters pack Washington Street at Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Bob Swanson of Canton sports a T-shirt he made after the recent release of a Department of Homeland Security report detailing possible threats from "right-wing extremists."

Traffic around the Capitol was backed up at Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Zachary Adamski (left), 13, of Lawrenceville and his sister, Amanda, 17, protest with their mother, Mary (not shown).

The crowd was protesting higher taxes, deficit spending and increasing government intrusion.

Protesters cross Martin Luther King Jr. Drive as they make their way to the Capitol.

Bill Hanawalt with In Concert Productions sends hand signals for an associate to direct the TV lights Wednesday at the Georgia Capitol in preparation for a Tax Day Tea Party protest of taxes and federal spending, one of a series of such events around the country.

Lynn Askea of Kennesaw wears her frustration at the tax protest in Marietta.

Two men dressed as Minutemen attended the protest in Marietta.

Randall Rapier with Fuse AV descends from a tower on the stage.

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Protesters at the Georgia Capitol watch Sean Hannity's TV broadcast during the Atlanta Tax Day Tea Party, one of many held across the country. Participants were protesting higher taxes and government intrusion into their lives.

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