Pleasanton Police Say Tea Party Rally Went Smoothly, Crowd Nears 10,000

Pleasanton police officers called Thursday's rally by Tea Party members "very well organized" and estimated that close to 10,000 people showed up to participate.

"There are 5,000 parking spots and they're just about full," said Lt. Mike Elerick. "You figure, if most people brought at least one other person, that's about 10,000."

The April 15 rally showcased a dozen speakers, including political candidates -- from San Ramon Mayor Abram Wilson to Senate hopeful Carly Fiorina -- and various entertainers, as well as information booths and fair food.

Party members advocate for three main philosophies, said organizer Bridget Melson: fiscal responsibility, sticking to the constitution and limited government.

Melson, 40, founded the local group last year. It's part of a nationwide group, the Tea Party Patriots, that sprung into action one year ago, on April 15, 2009, to express "real concerns against reckless government spending and spawned millions of Americans to get involved in their local Tea Parties which today are holding elected officials accountable," according to its Web site.

Police Lt. Craig Eicher said Melson's group, the Pleasanton Tea Party, took a number of precautions to ensure a smooth event. The group set aside a "free speech area" in case protestors showed up; at least one small, peaceful and passionate group, from the Health and Human Services Network, made use of it.

The group also hired a local security company, Site Security USA in Moraga, to set up eight video cameras all around the fairgrounds, Eicher said.

"They allow us to watch what's happening to ensure safety," he said. "They serve as a deterrant. And, if there is a problem, we can identify who caused it."

He also lauded the group fpr limiting the number of "really controversial" speakers so as not to incite protestors. Earlier this week, the rally made headlines when organizer Melson asked "birther movement" leader Orly Taitz not to attend after other speakers raised questions about her appearance. (Taitz "claims President Obama was not born in this country and is thus ineligible for his elected office," according to recent media reports.)

The police worked with the Alameda County Sheriff's Office and the California Highway Patrol to manage the event.

Police said "a few people" who were acting disrespectful, "being loud and not following the rules," were asked to leave.

One person called in a bomb threat late in the afternoon, but police found nothing when they searched the area with a bomb-sniffing dog.

"The Tea Party folks, they're a peaceful group who respects the laws," said Eicher, an 18-year veteran of the Pleasanton police force. "They're a good group to work with."

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