Eighty days ago, on April 15th, tens of thousands of people across the country held protests over high taxes, extraordinary federal spending, and unprecedented expansions of government power. The Lucidicus Project reported on one of the local events held in Boston, noting with optimism how the event attracted participants who were primarily secular and independent. Today, crowds returned to Boston Common for an even better, more exciting event.

First, the protest signs. Similar to the Tea Party protest in April, the majority of signs expressed rational, intelligent, memorable messages of political dissent. Most stressed the need for fiscal conservatism, limited government, the defense of property rights, or other founding principles. For example, "Big government is the problem, not the solution!", "I want my country back... and my money!", and "My Wallet, My Choice." Creative and clever signs were a joy to see as well, such as "Read Atlas Shrugged: Now in the non-fiction section" and "Taxation by Inflation." Several Gadsden flags ("Don't Tread on Me") also dotted the sky.

The number of signs that were unuseful (e.g. "Impeach Obama!"), ineffective, or just plain inaccurate was miniscule—even fewer than we saw in April. We saw no counter-protestors or obvious saboteurs.

Like other Tea Party protests, it was evident that this was not a Republican event. Judging from the signs, speakers, and conversations we overheard, most attendees understood that over the past 40 years the Republicans have been at least as big a threat to capitalism and individual rights as the Democrats—possibly bigger. One would probably have to go back to Barry Goldwater in order to think of a Republican that would be welcome at this rally.¹

Attendance was slightly lower than anticipated, but still excellent. At 12:45pm, a police officer on horseback gave us an estimate of 450 people at the bandstand on Boston common. At least one hundred more people arrived in the hour that followed. A number of factors likely boosted attendance: beautiful weather, the holiday, and the fact that the holiday fell on a Saturday. I would also give credit to those who organized the event, including one Mr. Brad Marston who runs a local communications firm. I do not know Mr. Marston, but my understanding is that he did much of the logistics and social networking for the event, and assisted with finding sponsors and renting a sound system. The bandstand and sound system vastly improved everyone's ability to see and hear the speakers. Audibility for such an event is crucial.

The speaker lineup featured several familiar local activists and policy experts, including Carla Howell (Center for Small Government) and Kamal Jain (Mass-Truth.org). For my money, the most interesting and most relevant speakers on the schedule were: a) John Ridpath, a Policy Analyst from the Ayn Rand Institute, b) John Lewis, visiting associate professor from Duke University, and c) Yaron Brook, Executive Director of the Ayn Rand Institute. John Ridpath addressed the crowd at 12:15pm. John Lewis and Yaron Brook are scheduled for later in the day, with Yaron Brook giving the keynote at Columbus Park at 6pm.

John Ridpath, a retired associate professor of intellectual history and economics at York University in Toronto, traced the moral and political message of the modern Tea Party movement back to its historical roots. He gave an inspirational address, urging participants to demonstrate the same moral courage to defending individualism as did their colonial ancestors. Referring to the growing presence and power of the uber-state, he said "The question is not whether it is happening, but why is it happening?" The answer, he said, is that the founders had a vision for a country based on rights but not the explicit knowledge necessary to implement and secure it. For that, we need to discover a rational philosophy. (For anyone interested in other talks and courses given by Dr. Ridpath, go to the Ayn Rand Bookstore and enter "Ridpath" in the search box.)

Dr. Ridpath was vigorously applauded by the crowd, which by then had also grown to include many of the individuals attending the annual Objectivist Conference being held this week just down the road at the Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center. Several Objectivist activists from the conference brought signs, and handed out flyers and pamphlets. The philosophical presence of the Objectivist attendees and ARI speakers contributed a much-needed moral message from which the pro-individual political themes of the day could be defended.

The Lucidicus Project was represented with the same signs we brought for the April 15th event. Again, we got positive feedback and spoke with several individuals about why healthcare needs capitalism, not more regulation or social programs. I also handed out several dozen business cards.

As this report is being posted, the July 4th Tea Parties in Boston are still underway. If any of the philosophical influence from today's Objectivist speakers and conference visitors takes hold, then the Tea Party phenomenon could have a positive effect on the political landscape. If not, the movement could fade into obscurity and the fate of the nation may not be far behind.

Photos from the July 4th event held in Boston on the common:

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¹ Recall Goldwater's famous lines: "I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue." Barry Goldwater, 28th Republican National Convention, 1964.

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