Demonstrators rally against high taxes, government spending

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Demonstrators line the south side of Route 14 in Crystal Lake on Wednesday to protest high taxes and excessive government spending. (Travis Haughton - thaughton@nwherald.com)

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CRYSTAL LAKE – More than 300 people waved signs and tea bags in Crystal Lake on tax day to protest government spending.

The gathering at the corner of Route 14 and Main Street started with a dozen protesters at noon on Wednesday, April 15, and quickly swelled. The ranks spread out, up and down the block from Home State Bank on the southeast corner of the intersection. As the crowd grew, motorists showed their support by honking horns or shouting out.

Protesters here were joined by groups in cities across the country holding Tax Day Tea Parties as part of a conservative movement reacting to a $3 trillion federal budget and $787 billion stimulus package.

"This is a spontaneous upsurge, it grew like a weed," said local organizer Jim Thompson, who had expected fewer than 50 people to show up.

At the same time as the Crystal Lake event, a smaller crowd came together in Algonquin at Cornish Park opposite Port Edward's, under the clock tower.

Another rally is scheduled for 3 p.m. today at the Cary Metra Station.

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