Occupy Chicago Protester: Tea Party ‘Stole’ the ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ Symbol
- Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:21am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Anyone who has seen pictures or video of a Tea Party rally is familiar with the Gadsen flag — that yellow piece of fabric with a snake that says “Don’t Tread on Me.” It’s become a Tea Party staple, and some Tea Partiers in Texas, Virginia, and Arizona have lobbied their states to get the image on their license plates. So when blogger Rebel Pundit recently caught up with an Occupy Chicago marcher who was wearing a “Don’t Tread on Me” hat, he was intrigued and decided to ask the marcher and his partner about it. Surprisingly, it’s not what you think.
“It’s a revolutionary war,” the man’s female partner explains. “And they [the Tea Party] took it, stole it.”
“We can’t let them co-opt it,” the man adds, before calling the Tea Party “misguided” Americans who are dividing the country. You can watch the exchange below:
But Chicago protesters weren’t the only ones. Gadsen flags have been popping up at other protests, such as this one in Tampa, FL:
(H/T: The Blog)




















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Comments (178)
KusoJiJi
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 8:09amThe Tea Party remains the only grassroots organization the respects the Constitution and the rule of law. The OWS mob doesn’t know what it represents. The only thing that can emerge from it is either tyranny or anarchy.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 8:43amThis is change you can believe in…………. pure crap
Report Post »dogpatch65
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 8:43amYou’re right, and meanwhile, assaults of minors take place among the Occupiers:
Report Post »http://markamerica.com/2011/10/25/occupy-dallas-scene-of-sexual-assault-of-minor/
MHP
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 9:04amThis is we, the Tea Party’s sign, OWS has no right to it.
Report Post »they were’nt even around 235 years ago, OWS is newcomers. We’ve been here since before this country was founded, OWS has not.
MHP
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 9:07amdogpatch65
OWS is raping kids.
Report Post »Unix
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 9:41amThese people are all about anarchy – and when that happens – tyranny – and when that happens – the anarchists will be shot by the tyrant – total control. How do I know – I read real history books!
So when this thing starts, I will laugh in the face of all statists and anarchists – for you see they can take my body, but NEVER touch my sould – which resides in the body of Jesus Christ, Amen.
I will fight as best I can to restore our constitution while on this world of Satan’s rule, and they will send me to my maker, at which time my worldly troubles will be over. I will be judged, but by no human being, only my God in Heaven can do that – I judge no one! I am no better than anyone else, we are all God’s children.
God Bless America, she is in real trouble.
Report Post »Founding Father2
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 9:49amComplain all you want but you can only try to create the influence of the Tea Party movement. But as long as you are violent and rude, dirty, and full of hate, you will never have our influence.
Look at all the places you are being kicked out of. NYC, Oakland, and now Atlanta. Atlanta is so bad that the democrat mayor had to send armed guards to protect people near you: http://www.americanparchment.com/video/2011/oct/ows_mayor_atlanta.html . And what about the danger you are causing your own people. Pathetic…
Report Post »Jaycen
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 12:30pmI don‘t think it’ll amount to much. When they realize it’s not helping, they’ll drop it.
They don’t even understand the meaning of the flag. They think it simply means “leave me a lone”. It doesn’t.
It’s a rattle snake that says, “Don’t tread on me”. The inherent meaning is “If you trample me, I’ll bite you. I’m dangerous.” The fact that it’s a rattle snake demonstrates our nobility – we warn people before they do something that will make us strike.
Report Post »realjohn
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 12:35pmBO said T Party is like OWS
Report Post »They plant our symbols to make it look
like they are us.
MSM picks it up
Repeats it over and over
Perception (lies) take over reality (truth)
banjarmon
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 12:53pm@leftfighter
Report Post »Neat artical of the Gadsden flag….THANKS
I WILL BE GETING ONE SOON
Lord_Frostwind
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 1:06pmI know the irony is lost upon all the “Occupiers” but calling the Tea Party “Misguided Americans that are trying to divide the country…” That’s so far beyond the pot calling the kettle black, it’s more like the toilet saying the sink is full of crap.
Report Post »Marci
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 1:18pmWow, these morons don’t even know what the flag is about. Surrounded by a bunch of “give it to me for free” drones, they think it‘s appropriate to push the Don’t Tread On Me? Ha! Well, stupid cannot be fixed.
Report Post »encinom
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 1:28pmThe tea party is not nor has ever been grassroots. It is funded by the Koch Brothers and managed by DC insiders.
Report Post »Brizz
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 3:11pm@ENCINOM
Report Post »You have facts to back that up?
Junter
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 3:15pmAgreed. How people can say OWS is the right way to go about things is beyond me. We’ve seen some of the nations worst support OWS.. Wake up sheeple!
Report Post »carnifex
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 3:32pmWhere ever a Lefty Loon is made fun of, where ever common sense and logic prevail, where ever the vapid become more vacuous.. encinom will be there!. Spreading its lies like a smog over Burbank, hiding its identity behind a sexually ambiguous screen name, typing faster than Roger Moore heading for an All HE can eat Buffet! Its Encinom! Like his hero, Zero! The Community Organizer, it stutters and struts around spouting inane slogans till the damned right wingers are driven into hiding. It works tirelessly in its Moms basement ridding the internet of ANY that would dare question a Marxist! Yes its ENCINOM!!!!
Report Post »jptrucker
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 4:27pmThe communist OWS movement has no idea that unions are manipulating them ,making them useful IDIOTS.
Report Post »Sheepdog911
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 8:54pmWe stole it, eh? Well call the police and file a report. Ooops, the Gadsden Flag was carried by Patriots. OWSers are worthy of scraping the crap off their feet.
Report Post »TheBMT
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 11:13pmlol
Report Post »VoteBushIn12
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 1:53amTea Party is no more grass roots than Occupy Wall Street.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_Party_movement#Koch_Industry_influence
The Tea Party should be embracing these protestors as brothers! You fight for the same thing – you both want the private sector out of the public sector and vice versa. Granted there are differences, but instead you should be looking at the similarities!
Report Post »barstooltestpilot
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 9:32pmBeing a veteran of the US Navy, I prefer the First U.S. Navy Jack which the Navy reinstituted after September 11, 2001. Those OWS droids can use what ever they want.
Report Post »JustinHale
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 8:08amHaha, just watched the video, that blonde lady’s eyes says it all :D
Report Post »PA PATRIOT
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 8:12amExactly, I just posted on that.
Report Post »She is vitriolic! ffilled with hate and rage for the TP
Therightsofbilly
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 3:42pmThe only thing that was stolen from that woman, was a chromosome or two.
Report Post »TwoLazy
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 8:07amI have never seen so many with so little common sense.
Report Post »Vechorik
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 8:21amWell, the Tea Party was made to look just as nuts by the liberal media. There is good and bad in each group. Media picks and chooses what it wants the viewers to believe. Are you being manipulated as these people are manipulated? I think we ALL are and usually don’t catch it.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 8:50amI did…. .in 2008
Report Post »NoahsDad
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 9:19amNever underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups. talking to these people seems to be like talking to the local schizophrenic off his meds, they want this then they want that and “oh look something shiny!?” and all of it seems to be based in laziness. These people need to take off the rose colored glasses, STFU and get to work. I didn’t put in the time and effort to be part of the 1% but I don’t work for a union either and me and my family are doing just fine being part of the tax paying population.
Report Post »JakeEllis
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 9:26am‘the tea party was made to look nuts by the liberal media’
Report Post »Thats just the point, dumb a@@. These goons in this so called OWS don‘t need to be ’made’ to look nuts. They are nuts to the core. Dirty, disgusting, nasty group of outcast communist educated freaks. Unions, the democrats, this president. They are all to blame for this new anarchy that we are witnessing, urged on by the communists in our congress. Kiss America goodbye.
Shotgun167
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 12:00pmVechorik, you are correct the media went out of their way to find the most uninformed people they could and then construed what the had to say in the worst possible light. OTOH, they have done everything they can to gloss over and apologize for the filth and bile spewed by this group. OWS people are called “peaceful” when they have clashes with police that result in hundreds of arrests. The Tea Party rallies were called hateful when there were no arrests, and they left the rally venues cleaner than when they arrived.
Any large group will have their share of the uninformed and tagger-ons. I’m judging OWS by the portrayal given by those supporting it, and I find it wanting.
Report Post »JustinHale
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 8:06amI bet you a dollar dude don’t know what the original snake looked like or what it said, and another dollar he has no clue who or why it was made…
Report Post »boshando
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 2:21pmDude, these people are ignorant morons…I don’t think they know their left from their right, let alone the meaning of that flag
Report Post »PA PATRIOT
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 8:03amMe “Mis-guided”?
Report Post »Nah, Go toke on a few more bongs Smokey .
Furthermore, Immitation is the HIGHEST form of flattery.
Respectfully
A Terrorist and Son of a Bitch
PA PATRIOT
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 8:11amDid you witness the vitriol in his wife, (lover, companion, sister, friend, mouth piece) eyes.
Report Post »She was definitely going to put the TP in its place.
Come on lady, show me your respect for the opposing political thought.
Tax and SPEND SPEND SPEND
It is clear that the socialist party is attending OWS.
762x51
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 11:10am“Did you witness the vitriol in his wife, (lover, companion, sister, friend, mouth piece) eyes.”
Probably all of the above, wife, lover, sister, friend, etc. This is what happens when cousins marry.
You are right about the wild look of hate in her eyes. One cannot bargain or negotiate or assuage that level of hatred. It must be met with overwhelming force and destroyed, or it will destroy you and by you I mean us.
Report Post »momrules
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:55amThe Occupiers frighten me. The Tea Party was demonized from the beginning by the MSM, Hollywood, MSNBC,etc. and these people believed every lie told to them. There is a hatred in them that reason and common sense cannot reach.
Report Post »762x51
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 11:03amDon’t be frightened of them, that is what they want. Their game is intimidation, like all fascists, and if you give in and submit, they win. When the time comes, and it is soon, they die like everyone else. Despite their propaganda claiming they are the 99% remember, we outnumber them, we are well informed, we are highly motivated and we are heavily armed.
This criminal government is waiting for something to start so it can declare marshal law. At that time you must either fight or become a slave, there will be no third alternative. Should you choose slavery out of fear, your children will also live as slaves just as they did in the USSR. It has taken centuries of human struggle to achieve the freedoms we have lived with all our lives, now we must fight to pass along those freedoms to our children and grandchildren. Make no mistake, this is a battle between good and evil and we will either defeat the enemy or mankind will be plunged back into the darkness of oppression. I would rather die on my feet than live on my knees.
Report Post »momrules
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 12:52pm@762×51
Report Post »Thank you for the encourageing words. When I say they frighten me I mean their hatred, the depths of their anger and their willingness, I believe, to escalate into violence. I will stand with you and the other Blazers and all like minded true Americans when the time comes.
TexasHunter
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 1:43pm762X51- I am right beside you brother. I will never back down to the enemy within. What Americans have to do is get organized find groups in your area that are getting prepaid and ready if class war comes to that point. WE must keep the elections. We must protect the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God. So where do we begin. I want to know so we can be prepared.
Report Post »TyrannyNoMore
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:53amWhat do we want?
Report Post »Napom !!
When do we want it?
NOW !!! Drop it on OWS !!
SEPARATENOW
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 8:02amNapalm. C’mon man. If you’re going to request crazy stuff, at least spell it right.
Report Post »762x51
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 11:05amNapalm, it’s not just for breakfast anymore.
Report Post »ZomBrad
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:52amSomeone make a new flag! A flag of the Gadsen flag being trampled on by the sickle and hammer wearing jack boots, reading, “Who does the treading?”
Or the sickle and hammer holding hands with the half-crescent moon of islam treading on the old flag, and the star of David.
Tempers will flair…..
Report Post »britlynz
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:42pmOk. This one…
http://www.americanmethod.com/conservative_bumper_stickers/item/us_other_flags/1169
Report Post »MichiganPatriot
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:49amThis Gadsden flag was a symbol of Liberty that was used by the Marines when they went to war with the British. It was a symbol that represented the 13 colonies. These OWS Idiots are Socialist, Communist, and Anarchist. That flag does not represent anything that they stand for and is a slap in the face to every man or woman who gave their lives so we could live free. These OWS people are disgusting and know nothing but what their union masters tell them. I bet 100 dollars that George Soros had something to do with this it has his smell all over it.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:52amWhat’s this red stuff shooting out of my eyes?
Report Post »HKS
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:54amThe puppet master is always in the background. That government education system has taught them well the commandment of obedience to the master.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:55amI thought about getting a “don’t tread on me” flag. We have a tall flag pole, but as veterans, we don’t want to fly the American flag since this is not our country anymore. We flew it a couple years ago (right after Fort Hood) upside down to represent a nation in distress, but apparently it caused PTSD in a couple veterans of the Viet Nam war (communists turned the flag upside down when they captured an outpost), so out of respect for them, we won’t fly it upside down. So we just don’t fly it.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:56amOh- and I live in the Tampa area. I’ve been at all of the Tea Party tax day rallies, when people were packed, shoulder to shoulder in a park that took up an entire downtown block. I’ve also seen the 100 or so people in Tampa protesting this.
If the difference in the message isn’t stark enough, the difference in support is.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 8:03amOh- and here’s the actual history of the Gaqdsen flag…
http://www.gadsden.info/history.html
It was adopted in response to impositions by government upon the people, most specifically, in relation to a crackdown on rights and liberties, and massive taxes inposed upon the people.
Something tells me that the 53% / tea party has more of a claim to the Gadsen flag than the 99% / socialist-communist-marxist @$$ clowns.
Report Post »SEPARATENOW
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 8:11amThe Left is a perpetual psychological projection machine.
1. The Tea Party is divisive and evil. (No, you are the class warfare experts.)
2. The Tea Party co-opted the Gadsden flag. (No, you’re trying to just now.)
3. The Tea Party members are violent, hater, fascists capable of the unspeakable. (No, you have been violent from day one.)
4. The Tea Party is racist. (No, you are the movement filled with antisemitism.)
End projection.
Facts win with us. They will never win with them. They are lost.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 8:27am@leftfighter, yeah, I haven’t seen very many “occupiers” in Gaslight Park when I go downtown. I guess they had to move so now they’re at Curtis Hixson Park. I did see a few last Friday over there, but there was just a handful of them. Most of the folks in the area appeared to be going to the Glazer Museum and not too many of them were paying attention to the flea baggers blocking the sidewalk. I can’t wait for the Lighting to put up their temporary skating rink so that these lazy, worthless, shiftless, stinky “protesters” will be forced to go elsewhere, like back to Metropolitan Ministries, their dorm at USF, and their mom’s extra bedroom out back.
Report Post »truthb4fiction
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 8:39am@loeianne12, With all do respect. You better fly the flag, high and proud! Are you surrendering? Sorry that is not my culture and herritage! And there is no other country to run too either folks… This is it! Time to put the big britches on and stand up! Use your words while they are still the weapons of choice!
Report Post »MHP
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 9:13am@leftfighter
United States Marines have more claim on it than anybody, and Tea Partiers were mostly military.
Report Post »JL320
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 12:12pmI have just been mostly laughing every time I see these OWS loons, but trying to claim the Gadsen Flag just ****** me off! If I encounter an idiot lefty loon walking around with one of these flags, I can’t say on here what I would do to them.
Report Post »donh2
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:49amThere are never any American flags visible in these fascist putsch marches. You will see many solid black flags which are banners of the Church of Satan….They are marching to the Battle Hymn of the Apocalypse…>>>>…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGPKvtW9rDg
Report Post »Down2TheC
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:46amMoron. The patriots who first flew that flag expressed “Don’t Tread On Me!” to the greedy capitalists… right… And the tea party expressing that message to an overbearing government is misguided and not at all historically similar… sure.
Report Post »Moron.
slvrserfr
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:45amI‘m sorry but something as patriotic as the Gadsen flag doesn’t mix with the occupy movement, which has included the Communist and Nazi flag. The Tea Party didn’t steal anything, if anything, the occupiers stole the idea to establish this opposing movement from the Tea Party.
Report Post »Popp40
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:44amI don’t even call these people “useful idiots” any longer….they are just plain stupid.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:42am.
Report Post »I think these OWS people should hearded into a transport plane and shipped to Siriya, to help them over throw their government. Then the rest of us can focus on overthrowing Obama in 2012……..
Infidel49
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 10:41amJust keep your eyes on the prize. This is a distraction from what needs to be done in 2012. We have a chance to take this country back, if we vote the right person into the WH. The cold, rain and snow will be coming in soon and from the looks of these morons they will be heading for the hills once that happens. We could have gotten rid of them sooner, if we had interupted their cellphone service.
Report Post »polo1948
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:42amWe adopted it first, it‘s ours and that’s that. We were first and everyone else is Jonny Come Lately’s.
Report Post »It must really suck to be them.
What are they doing to contribute to this country? Even cheap politicians can claim they contribute something, but these idiots are not making any contributions, in fact they are only taking.
Organized by Unions and radicals promoting violence. This isn’t a group of protestors with any credability. Fractured misguided idiots with nothing better to do. No obligations for all but the organizers. Enough Said
Tired-of-fools
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:41amThese people will never wake up. Our society is about to change into something that we will not recognize very shortly. Look out for what is coming. We are being surrounded by radicals, the liberal media, liberal teachers and professors, and politicians that want to keep us in our place.
Report Post »I.Gaspar
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:41am“Brawndo’s Got Electrolytes” should be these clowns’ slogan…..
Report Post »G.E.R
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:39amThis was the first flag ever carried into battle by the United States Marine Corps, during the American Revolution. So yes the Tea Party stole it.
Report Post »RichNGadsden
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:49amThe Gadsden Flag was designed by Continental Army General Christopher Gadsden, then the Continental Marines adopted (or is that stole?) the flag for a temporary time. Okay, I don’t believe the Marines stole the flag, but neither did the Tea Party. The Gadsden in my site handle refers to our local city, named for Christopher’s grandson, COL James A. Gadsden who developed the Gadsden Purchase.
Report Post »G.E.R
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 8:20amI don’t want to sound rude. But you got your history a little confused. A coiled rattle snake with 13 rattles and the words “Don’t tread on me” appeared on yellow painted drums. Gadsden just put into flag form. He presented that flag to Commodore Hopkins to serve as a personal standard on his flagship.
Report Post »MHP
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 9:18amGER most tea partiers were US Marines
Report Post »Blackhawk1
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 9:37amWhat was the Revolution fought for? To get out from under a repressive Government which is what the Tea Party stands for. A smaller less intrusive Government so The flag has more to do with the Tea Party movement than OWS. OWS is trying to represent themselves as something they are not….Patriots!
Report Post »britlynz
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 9:58amIts rumored that the first battle flag had a green pine tree smack dab in the center (also known as the tree of Liberty). Across the bottom the words said “An Appeal To Heaven”.
I like it. Its less proud and boisterous. Its a humble appeal. It rightly identifies their battle as being more spiritual in nature as opposed to one targeted solely against flesh and blood.
Report Post »LIBSALWAYSLIE
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:37amThis useful idiot is too stupid to understand how ignorant he is,just like all liberals
Report Post »RichNGadsden
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:37am“We can’t let them co-opt it,” the man adds, before calling the Tea Party “misguided” Americans who are dividing the country. What the ****? Who is dividing this country, and wants to overthrow it?
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:34amAnother band of professional protesters and useful idiots.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:38amThe Gadsen Flag being used by socialist now that is stranger than fiction. A flag of freedom being used by a group that wants servitude.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 9:34am“Professional protestors.” Is this some of the Obama administration’s “job creation ?”
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:34amWho knew they were smart enough to know about ‘Don’t Tread on Me’. It must be part of their scripted exchange – did anyone see a teleprompter?
Report Post »PandoraSpocks
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:31amWhat history book are these people reading from? They are misguided if they think socialism is going to make them better off than they are now.
Report Post »A MERICAN
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 10:44amPlease – since when did these kinds of people ever let the facts confuse their issue. But hey, thats OK, they ignore history at their own peril.
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:26amWho is misguided and dividing the country? What a tool.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:25amMental defectives, look at them.
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