Limestone County residents joined forces with Decatur residents for a July 4 Taxpayer Tea Party on Saturday morning to protest government bailouts and citizens’ “rights being taken away,” said Deborah King, one of the event’s organizers.

About 250 people turned out for the rally, which was from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Gateway Shopping Center on Sixth Avenue in Decatur. It was emceed by Will Anderson, who has a radio show in WBHP in Huntsville. Madison County Commissioner Mo Brooks and Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, spoke at the rally.

“Petitions were signed to protect our gun rights, stop the proposed energy tax, promote parental rights not government rights over our children and stop socialized health care,” King said. “All letters and petitions will be copied and sent to local, state and federal officials.”

King, who organized a similar event in Athens in April, said she agreed to combine the rally with Decatur’s event this time because it was a holiday and it was easier for scheduling. Future events will be held in Limestone County, she said.

_Other area July Fourth Taxpayer Tea Parties, which were being held nationwide, were planned at the Racking Horse Celebration Arena in Priceville and at the fairgrounds near Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville, where as many as 5,000 people are expected, she said.

The rallies are not just for show, King said, emphasizing that petitions and letters are signed at the rallies and “bills we’re against, bills we’re for” are available for people to read.

King said protestors “are getting things done.”

For more information, contact King at (256) 559-0980.