The following was published in the Rome News Tribune on July 5th. Read the full story here.

Tax protesters celebrated Independence Day in Rome on Saturday by exercising their First Amendment rights to assemble at Opi’s Waterfront Grille.

This Tea Party is the second in Rome during the past months. An estimated 300 people attended the rally, which included speeches, face painting and raffle prizes.

Organizer Layla Shipman said she hoped the rally would bring people together to push for change.

“I wouldn’t take the time to plan something like this if I didn’t think it was going to make a difference,” she said.

A crowd had gathered in front of Opi’s 15 minutes before the rally was to begin to hear speakers Virginia Galloway from the Atlanta Tea Party Organization and Americans for Prosperity; Mel Funk, owner of Opi’s Waterfront Grille representing small business; Jonathan Krohn, 14-year-old author of “Defining Conservatism;” and Sherri Reece from the Atlanta Tea Party Organization.

Krohn, who has a forthcoming second edition of his book due in January, said the conservative movement in the U.S. is in need of some help.

“All this stuff going on in America today will encourage more people to get involved though,” Krohn said.

He said he expects Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who announced Friday she would resign from office later this month, to run for another office in Alaska in 2010.

What happens during next year’s congressional elections is important, he said.

“There are two houses of Congress at stake and it will be the predecessor to the 2012 (presidential) election. We need to get past 2010 before we can think about the 2012 elections.”

Jason Bowen said he came out because current federal government spending policies are wrong for America.

“I came out because of needless spending honestly,” he said. “I see these huge figures, and all I see is the government throwing money at a problem that doesn’t need it.”

Eddie Atkins came out too because of what he felt was a lack in good spending policies.

“The government sent me $250 this year, and I don’t need it,” he said. “I want them to give it to people who really need it, because I don’t. And everyone I’ve talked to tell me they feel the same way.”