Hundreds of people who believe the government is getting too big and spending too much... gathered tonight at the old Minot Armory.

The tea party event, that packed in more than well more than 500 people, is a coordinated protest designed to give individual Americans a chance to come together, share ideas and give them unified voice.

Former Governor Ed Schafer spoke at tonight's meeting in Minot.

Schafer says many Americans believe the government is becoming too intrusive in our lives and that individual freedom and liberty should stay in place.

(Ed Schafer, Former North Dakota Governor) "A lot of examples of how they're getting taken away from us. But the underlying theme is always Freedom and Liberty and individual responsibility make this country great and we want to keep it that way."


Schafer says with so many people disastisfied with how the government is operating, tea party goers hope their message is loud and clear to elected officials that change is needed.

(Ed Schafer, Former North Dakota Governor) "People are concerned about taxes. People are concerned about government takeover of health care where 50 percent of our medical economy would driven by government. Those type of things just don't sit well with people."


Republican candidate for U.S. House Paul Schaffner was also at tonight's meeting.

The tea party protest was the first in the city of Minot.

Several other have been held around the state including in Bismarck, Fargo and Harvey. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list