Local Tea Party Honors Legislators as "Defenders Of Freedom"Local Tea Party Honors Legislators as "Defenders Of Freedom"

8/14/13 - Every seat was filled in Cromaine Hall at Waldenwoods Tuesday night for the “Defender of Freedom” awards ceremony. The first annual Michigan’s Freedom Celebration took place in Hartland and was a gathering for members and supporters of Retake Our Gov to honor four Michigan legislators. RetakeOurGov is described by founder Wes Nakagiri as a “grass roots organization of people who are passionate about constitutional government.” State Representative Tom McMillin, State Senator Patrick Colbeck, State Senator Joe Hune and Congressman Justin Amash (pictured) all received awards and recognition for their work in actively defending freedoms for TEA party groups across Michigan. As Hune had a prior engagement, he was unable to attend but had his parents receive the award for him instead. Congressman Amash was the keynote speaker for the event as well as a recipient of the “Defender of Freedom” award. Amash tells WHMI he is passionate about representing Michigan’s 3rd District in Congress. Nakagiri has already begun planning for next year’s Freedom Celebration and hopes to move it to different locations across Michigan. While Nakagiri says “not every legislator will vote the way you want every time”, he believes the “grassroots TEA party is alive and well.” (DK)