September 12, 2009 - A Taxpayer Protest was held in Town Square Park in historic downtown Hattiesburg today. Hundreds showed up, despite dreary weather reports of thunderstorms and scattered showers, donning umbrellas, ponchos and a determination to let their voices be heard.

Following a welcome by, Kip Alfrey, Chaplain Fulcher, U.S. Navy (retired) offered a prayer petition and the group was then red a poem about 'Old Glory' and led in a Pledge of Allegiance by James Turner. Mildred Hong then presented 'The National Anthem' acapella and Ashlee Cook sang "In God We Trust".

Lewis Randall Garvin, en enable vet, recognized military and law enforcement personnel and first responders, recalling their service eight years ago as our nation was under attack and on battlefields around the world defending our freedoms. Dr. Zelda Fulcher recited the Preamble to the Consitution of the United States.

Jack Fairchild, talkshow host from the Right Side Radio on WMXI-FM, introduced Senator and statesman, Chris McDaniel. Senator McDaniel reminded the crowd of the sacrifices made by our founding fathers and what the battle is really about, challending them to stay the course so that one day when it is realized that someone tried to steal our freedoms, they can tell how they helped stop that from happening. 

Senator Tom King emphasized the importance of transferring our faith, principles and values to our children, to raise them up to have integrity and that all should take care of themselves and their family first and then those who cannot take care of themselves...the disabled, some of our senior citizens, our neighbors.

Kerry Tegerdine recalled the decision by her husband, Joe Tegerdine, to accept the call to oppose Gene Taylor in 2010 for the 4th Congressional District seat and stated that she is not married to a politician, but to a statesman who has integrity and who is a great father and offered her unwagering support for him as he campaigns through October 2010 and leading up to the election in November.

Jennifer West alerted the crowd to upcoming events, including a 'We the People' meeting on September 19, an American Liberty Tour on September 28 in New Orleans, a Continental Congress delegate election on October 10 and Continental Congress 2009 November 8 through 22 in Illinois.

Kip Alfrey closed the event with an explanation of what 9.12 stands for and presented an overview of the organization and how it works to educate the voters.

The event was held in conjunction with a March on Washington and with events being held in cities around the country to send a message to Washington that they demand to be heard and do not want big government, debt, czars, communism, healthcare reform as proposed by Congress or anything that the liberals stand for.