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National Coffee Party Events At 370 Locations Across Country

by Susan Marie Kovalinsky | March 13, 2010 at 04:21 pm

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National Coffee Party Movement Kicks Off Events at 370 Locations across the country

The National Coffee Party Movement - the liberal and pro-Obama rival of the conservative Tea Party movement - made its national debut Saturday as it held events in 370 locations across the US and the world (including Tokyo and Jakarta) in an attempt to stir liberal activism to counter the conservative brew.

In Georgia, signs ranged from pro-healthcare reform to “jobs for Americans.” The small crowd included teachers and reporters.

Far more subdued than their tea-drinking counterparts, the groups believe they may actually be able to impact the national discourse for the better.

The “Join the Coffee Party” movement began as a Facebook page, and now has attracted more than 100,000 fans, a good deal of these in the 2 weeks leading to the big Saturday kick-off.

Founder Annabel Park says Coffee Party needs Representation as in American Revolution days

Organizer Annabel Park, interviewed last week on CNN has said that as in the days of the American Revolution, Americans "are looking for real representation now". It would appear that Americans on the left and right feel misrepresented by government and media alike.

Already, similar charges as were made against the Tea Party in its early days have begun : That it is an "astro-turf" and synthetic movement rather than an authentic grassroots one, and that the Democratic National Party will co-opt it to their own ends.

Bloggers should recall that the early tea party events were linked to GOP committees.

Coffee Party members back the President and want good government involvement: What they distrust is the vast web of corporate interests at work.

The two movements share a need for the return to true representative government.

Another national coffee event is planned for March 27.

Though activists in the two movements may not see eye to eye, it’s clear they are emerging for a similar reason: They feel a greater personal connection to America's plight, sparking a communal search for the country's roots.
The people have to have a louder voice against special interests in Washington, says Landers, or “we’re going to make the fall of Rome look like a tea party.”