Tea Party Will Try To End Race Issue

A large Tea Party rally Saturday in Philadelphia will try to end reports the new group tolerates racist elements.

The rally is called Uni-TEA and it will include Tea Party members from the tri state area. The rally will be at 12 p.m. at Independence Mall.

The race issue was largely associated with the Tea Party because of two incidents.

In March, two prominent black Democrats were spat on and cursed at by people associated with the Tea Party after the passage of health reform.

Then Tea Party Express leader Mark Williams was expelled after he wrote a racist blog during a spat between the NAACP and the Tea Party.

Both incidents were quickly condemned by Tea Party leaders, who are now confronted with the challenges of a grass roots organization with many independently operating chapters.

James Jones with the Independence Tea Party in Pennsylvania said his group wants to reduce big government.

He told Fox 29 they want lower taxes, better immigration and healthcare policy---and a reduction in the federal deficit.

Jones said the Tea Party is acutely aware of the public perception that it is some sort of political refuge for racists and racist views.

Jones, who is black, said he wants people to respect each other's cultures.

"This rally tomorrow is going to unify a wide variety of people, of groups--organizations. I have personally reached out to more clergy--more black clergy folks, but for the fact that in the past there were some racial issues that were expressed, in part, against the Tea Parties. And I think it's important to have a positive message that reaches across all color barriers and cultures."