3,000 in Fort Myers, Fla. 4,000 in Memphis, Tenn. 5,000 in Austin.

What began as a small ember on Internet websites and forums has swelled to one of the largest conservative grassroots movements in recent memory. Tea Party demonstrations, held in opposition to government spending and increased taxes, were held all across the country April 15, some drawing upwards of 10,000 protesters.

Pictured, A man waves an American flag in front of the Tomball Post Office April 15 during a Tea Party rally. Photo by Justin Elbert.

In Tomball, the numbers were just as impressive, with approximately 200 turning out for an April 14 rally at Klein’s Super Market and another 700 or so staging a rally April 15 near the Tomball Post Office.

At the April 14 rally, U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul addressed the crowd, denouncing Democratic congressional leaders, as well as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose name drew a chorus of boos.

“This is a grassroots movement,” McCaul said. “I kind of feel that same spirit today. The revolution has come to Tomball and you are a part of it.”

“Everything you worked so hard for will go to Uncle Sam, and I don’t think that’s right,” McCaul added to a group of cheers.

McCaul estimated that since the first government bailout packages were approved, the federal government has gone into debt by more than $1 trillion.

“I don’t think people understand how much money we’re talking about,” he said. “This budget will increase the national debt by more debt than all of the other 43 previous presidents combined.”

While there were no speakers the following day at the post office rally, the several hundred who gathered held up signs calling for a stop to increased taxes and denouncing democratic leadership. Cars drove by and honked their horns, their drivers giving the crowd thumbs-up.

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