Pleasanton Mom Pulls off Big Day at the Fairgrounds with Massive Tea Party Rally

Bridget Melson, Pleasanton mom and local Tea Party organizer, organized a big day at the Alameda County Fairgrounds where party members from near and far met to hear from candidates and protest Tax Day.

Melson, 40, said the party this year has gotten bigger and more diverse. She started the local branch of the group in 2009.

"The tide is changing and there are two things driving it," she said today.

Melson attributed the group's growing popularity to frustration with taxes and the health care bill.

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

Melson said her goal for local party members is that they share a respect for "the oval office and beyond."

"We need to be positive and make change instead of getting angry," she said.

Organizers will "kick out" any event attendees who display anger or disrespect, she added.

One attendee's negative sign, of President Barack Obama as a vampire, had already been confiscated, crumpled up and thrown away by 1 p.m.

Melson, a psychotherapist, said it was definitely a challenge to be a mother of three -- Lucas, 7, Landon, 5, and Allie, six months -- and trying to organize the local Tea Party movement. The family has lived in Pleasanton for 14 years.

Her husband, Mike Melson, 44, said the couple draws strength from a higher power to get all the work done.

"We got God holding us together," said Melson, who works in the software industry. "So the rest is easy."

Which Pleasanton residents attended the Tea Party rally at the fairgrounds? 5:30 pm

Pleasanton residents were among many from the Bay Area who attended today's rally. Patch scoured the crowd to find them. We'll post their bios and photos throughout the day.

Marion Hunt said she's afraid America is being "hijacked" by the government.

"The government feels good taking our money. They feel good, like they're helping the poor. But they're just enabling them."

Claudia Owen lived in Pleasanton for 30 years, but now lives in Dublin. "I believe in freedom for America, liberty for America and stopping Obama's regime," she said today.

Grace Huebner, 68, said, "I totally agree with all the things the Tea Party people are fighting against. They're trying to change what the president is doing because it's bad for our country."

Steve Wagner, 56, shared his thoughts with us earlier today: "The changes are kind of destroying our hope."

Sandy Close, 61, said she came because "we have no say with the government any longer."

Tea Party members whoop and cheer for San Ramon Mayor Abram Wilson, 5:10 pm

San Ramon Mayor Abram Wilson was met with cheers and applause as he addressed a crowd of thousands today at the Pleasanton Tea Party rally.

Wilson, who is running to represent District 15 in the State Assembly, decried irresponsible spending by the state and federal governments during his speech Thursday afternoon at 4:45.

(The San Ramon mayor recently made headlines when he said he believes President Barack Obama was born in the United States.)

He spoke repeatedly about the importance of ensuring that California is business friendly.

"I'm sick and tired of seeing businesses leave California," he said. "What's going on in Sacramento is unacceptable."

He said the politicians need to remember, "They work for us," Wilson shouted. "They work for us."

Wilson also insisted on the need to fund education.

"They want to shortchange our children by not funding education," he said. "You open a school and you close a prison. It's easier to build strong children than repair broken men."

He encouraged audience members to vote out politicians they don't support come fall.

"They're spending money like drunken politicians," he said, "and we need to stop them."

Schedule Released for Pleasanton Tea Party Rally, 11:53 am

Today's Pleasanton/NorCal TEA Party Event at the Alameda County Fairgrounds will run from 2 to 7 p.m. Live music began at 12:30 p.m. Enter through Gate 8. See the full schedule here. Today's speakers include Senate candidate Carly Fiorina and San Ramon Mayor Abram Wilson.

Sound: Derek Davis       Music Manager: Ben Wong        Staging: Alameda County FG

MC: Auctioneerist Stacy Kennedy     Volunteer Coordinator: Jaylene G.  

Producer: Dr. Bridget Melson    Director: Rob Liszt     Security: Fred Watson

Invited Media Presence:  KTVU, ABC 7, KSFO, KGO radio, Pleasanton Weekly, Contra Costa Times (Lisa V.)

Confirmed National Media: FOX News—with Griff Jenkins—Greta Van Susteren LIVE at 7:00

Confirmed speakers:

Carly Fiorina--Senate

John den Dolk—Representative for Chuck DeVore (Senate)

Brian Sussman

Tom Del Beccaro (GOP Vice Chair)

Mayor Abram Wilson—running for State Assembly District 15

John Dennis (CD-08-Pelosi)

Dana Walsh (CD-08-Pelosi)

Buddy Burke (CD-10—Garamendi)

Brad Goehring (CD-11-McNerney)

David Harmer (CD-11-McNerney)

Elizabeth Emken (CD-11-McNerney)

Coach Luis Garcia (CD-13-Stark)

Meet/Greets:

Adnan Shahab (Candidate for Assembly District 20)

Justin Jelincic (Candidate for Stark—CD-13)

Rob Maffit—State Senate District 10

Gary Clift—(CD-10—Garamendi)

SCHEDULE--FINAL:

12:30—Gates (Gate 8) open!

12:30-2:00-Music-Band playing—booths/kid zone open

2:00—go live—Stacy Kennedy--Welcome Dr. B

Pledge of Allegiance (have flag on stage)-1 MINUTE

2:05--Prayer by Josh Higgins

Moment of Silence for Troops-15 SECONDS

2:10—Patriotic song

2:15—KSFO's Brian Sussman

2:30—John Dennis (CD-8—Pelosi)

2:45--Tom Del Becarro (Vice Chair GOP)

3:00—Carly Fiorina-Candidate for Senate

3:15--Brad Goehring (CD-11--McNerney)

3:30-3:45—Music

3:45—KSFO's Brian Sussman

4:00—Dana Walsh (CD-08—Pelosi)

4:15—4:25---Buddy Burke—(CD-10 Garamendi)

4:30—John den Dolk—Representative for Chuck DeVore

4:45—Judy Lloyd (Intro)/Mayor Abram Wilson—State Assembly—District 15

5:00-5:05— Comedian Alberto

5:05-5:15--The Conservative Kid

5:15--David Harmer (CD-11--McNerney)

5:30--Gary Clift (CD-10—Garamendi)

5:45—Elizabeth Emken  (CD-11 McNerney)

6:00—Music

6:15--Coach Luis (CD-13-Stark)

6:30—OPEN for time scrub

6:45—Dr. B/Stacy K.—Thank you's

7:00-8:00—MUSIC—LIVE with Griff and Greta (FOX News)

Booths:

San Ramon Valley Republican Women Federated

Book: Pursuing Liberty—Cory Emberson

Contra Costa GOP

Gary Clift for Congress—CD-10

*David Harmer for Congress-CD--11

*Carly Fiorina for Senate

TVRWF—voter registration

Donations/wristbands booth

*Dana Walsh for Congress

KSFO

*Abram Wilson—Assembly

Minutemen

*Brian Sussman's Climategate

Fremont TEA Party

East Bay TEA Party

NRA

Lost/Found-Information Booth

Tri-City Patriots

Petitions

*Coach Luis—CD—13

TEA Party T-shirts by Laurie

Volunteer check-in

Command Post

TEA Party registration

Right Wing Stuff

Mark Williams—Czar Cards

*Elizabeth Emken for Congress—CD-11

*Buddy Burke for Congress—CD-10

Justin Jelincic for Congress—CD—13

Roger Petersen for Congress—CD-07

Jenny Buck

Susan Jamison

(*Speakers)

A Quiet Start to Tax Day as Pleasanton Readies for Tea Party, 11:53 am

It's a quiet morning on Tax Day here in Pleasanton. There's some movement at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, with some people setting up tents and tables.

Other than that, traffic is clear by Bernal off I-680.

Pleasanton will be buzzing as the event runs from 2 p.m. to  7 p.m and is supposed to be one of the larger tax day events in the state, garnering national coverage.

Pleasanton Patch will be live blogging the event and talking to local participants. We'll also be around town asking residents about what they think of Tax Day.

Search for us on twitter: #pleasanton #teaparty

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