The Acorn chose not to cover the well-attended July Fourth TEA Party gathering at Hendrix Park because Acorn policy is not to cover “protest” demonstrations.

Following that policy, the Acorn in another day wouldn’t have covered American Revolution patriots who were also demonstrating against high taxation and a powerful and unpopular government.

The TEA Party is a populist movement, not a partisan party, attracting members across the spectrum. You’d think a community paper would want to encourage their patriotism and the behavior they exemplify, especially for our youth.

TEA partiers are peaceful and nonviolent, as anyone could tell from observing the families gathered in the park to hear their support for the Constitution and reverence for the flag.

They were lawfully exercising their right of assembly and free speech. In no way can the TEA Party be categorized with today’s militant protestors who unlawfully overturn cars, start fires and senselessly destroy property, whose behavior I agree doesn’t need to be encouraged.

What could be more appropriate, more American, more supportive for the freedoms for which our forefathers so bravely fought than to be reminded of them by patriotic local citizens on Independence Day?

It was surely worth a mention.
Miriam Jaffe
Thousand Oaks