'We the People' Take to the Streets in Support of County Commissioners

Several members of We the People of Carroll County carried signs outside of the county government building on Center Street to show support for the County Commissioners and their recent decision to end the county's membership in the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). They were greeted with honks of support as well as less friendly comments and hand gestures.

According to the We the People website, the group's mission is "to hold our elected servants in both state and federal governments accountable to the United States Constitution and the laws made pursuance thereof, and to that end, make every effort to educate Americans to their heritage, which is based on Judeo/Christian principles, and found in the Declaration of Independence, and the explanatory writings of the Founding Fathers and Framers of the Constitution."

Michelle Jefferson, chairperson of We the People of Carroll County, said they are an offshoot of the Tea Party. 

"We are a group of individuals who get together twice a month to promote liberty, freedom, and discuss current events. We are a completely local, autonomous group. We are independent but a part of the tea party," Jefferson said. 

According to Jefferson, anywhere from 40 to 100 people attend the meetings, depending on the time of year and topics that will be discussed. She said they sent six buses to D.C. for a demonstration last year.

Jefferson said one hot topic right now is budgets, and it's something that she and her fellow group members intend to watch carefully.

"Lots of folks think we are union busting, and we're not. We are not against teachers. There are many good teachers but there are many bad teachers that stay in the classroom because collective bargaining ensures seniority over progress. Too many people are focusing on union issues instead of budget issues," Jefferson said. 

Anthony Bullard was also representing We the People outside the county government building. A 20-year resident of Carroll County, he said, "The whole purpose of the Tea Party is that we don't tell people what to do. We educate."

We The People meets on the second and fourthTuesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Legend's Cafe, 532 Baltimore Blvd. The next meeting is scheduled for March 22.

The website encourages concerned citizens to attend a meeting, stating "because if you don't you have already lost. You have become just what the government wants, a defeated individual. DO NOT let them win without a fight."