The Tennessee Tea Party is GROWING… "In light of recent reports in various news sources across Tennessee, at least one thriving and growing Tea Party organization would like to proclaim that it is NOT "disbanding", but is rather "just getting started". Formally created on September 12th, 2011, the VOLUNTEER TEA PARTY looks forward to increasing in number and intensity over the coming months. 'To expose and eliminate corruption at every level of government' is the group's mission statement, says Founder and President Micah Forrest, a Murfreesboro resident. The VOLUNTEER TEA PARTY was inspired by a growing sense that numerous elected officials in Tennessee were 'using' the Tea Party as a launching-pad for gaining the attention and trust of well-intentioned voters. However, according to Forrest, 'Some of our opportunistic politicians simply view the Tea Party as a handy political tool, which they can brandish when it becomes necessary, convenient, or popular. The committed Tea Party members are able to quickly recognize which officials are true defenders of American liberty, and which ones are laying the foundation for lengthy careers of ever-increasing personal political power.' "
"The members of the VOLUNTEER TEA PARTY stay connected on a strictly grassroots level, through interpersonal contact and forming long-term friendships with others who cherish American freedom. 'We do not conduct any regularly scheduled monthly or weekly meetings at this point in time,' says Forrest. 'When we meet publicly, it is often to join together in protest of yet another government proposal to attack our Constitutional way of life. We do not meet in order to garner publicity, but rather to stand-up for what we consider to be important.' The group touts supporters from not only multiple counties across Tennessee, but also several other states. 'For those public officials who serve with honesty, transparency, and integrity, we will stand in support of them. For those who do not, the VOLUNTEER TEA PARTY will work tirelessly to help quicken their removal from office,' explains Forrest. 'This patriotic and energetic coalition of individual Americans is here for the long-haul. We are just getting started, and we invite others to defend liberty with us.' The group can be contacted through its website:VolunteerTeaParty.com."