Vandalism Incident on Tea Party Tour Bus in Phoenix
The National Tea Party’s “Only Civic Vote” tour bus experienced damage last night in Phoenix while promoting the Save Act. The bus had its tires cut, just before planned stops in Tucson and Scottsdale on Tuesday evening. Photos shared illustrate the vandalism that occurred, with the vehicle prominently displaying messages about election integrity and the principles of tea parties.
Large, bold letters on the bus proclaim “Only citizens vote.” There seems to be a noticeable rise in hostility towards places of worship, with reports indicating hundreds of attacks on American churches in 2024.
According to reports, this act of vandalism—which some are labeling as more than mere property damage—reflects a broader trend against individuals who value free speech and civil participation. Jenny Beth Martin, the Honorary Chairman of the Tea Party Patriots, described this behavior as not just harmful to vehicles but detrimental to millions of Americans. She emphasized that their tour will proceed as planned and aims to rally support for the necessary legislation.
Starting in mid-August in Garden Grove, California, the tour has traversed 16 states so far and is set to culminate in Washington, D.C., where petitions will be presented to Congress in support of the SAVE Act.
The SAVE Act proposes that voters need to prove citizenship when registering, requiring documentation like passports, birth certificates, or military IDs. This initiative comes amid a backdrop of similar vandalistic attacks against Republican offices and symbols around the country. For instance, Rep. Mike Kelly’s office was recently defaced with graffiti, showcasing the escalating tensions related to political and social issues.
Earlier this year, various GOP headquarters across states, including New Mexico and Virginia, reported similar attacks. As tensions appear to rise, there are concerns about potential violence linked to political events and responses to government policies surrounding immigration and other contentious topics.
