Tea Party shows movie

ALBANY — It was movie night at Albany’s newest downtown restaurant Cafe 230 Thursday, where about 50 people watched “Tea Party” the movie.

Many of the people were committed to the movement. Guests may have been at the movie to learn more about the group, its principles, its multi-generational and multi-race nature.

“I thought we would show the movie to explain the Tea Party to people,” said Donna Driskell. “It is about our family values, friends and love of our country.”

In the movie, the Tea Party values of government — fiscal responsibility, constitutional restraints on the federal government and free markets — were often praised with applause.

“I think the idea of the movie got across real good,” said Roger Pate, a Lee County resident. “The governemt is just out of control.”

Before seeing the movie, Tea Party members discussed an upcoming rally to be held at the Exchange Club Fairgrounds at 11 a.m. April 17, said Bill Waller, a group member.

“We hope to have 1,000 people there,” Waller said. “We are growing.”

A few people left the cafe with specially-printed license plates under their arms. The plates read “We the People.”

“I’m sending 100 of the plates to the Senate before the health care vote,” said B.J. Fletcher, the restaurant’s manager. “It is to remind them who they work for.”