This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on April 9, 2010.
Coffee or tea? A new movement is giving Americans the option.
In response to the growing Tea Party movement, one woman created the Coffee Party, which has thousands of members across the nation, including 120 in San Diego.
“We’ve only been around for two months and we’re already having an impact,” said Coffee Party founder Annabel Park. “We’re giving ordinary people a voice and that hasn’t happened before.”
The Coffee Party, whose local chapter will host Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.) over a cup of Joe Sunday, was created to create dialogue between “concerned citizens” and elected officials, said the founder.
Park, who is a documentary filmmaker, said she created the Coffee Party at the end of January as press coverage increased of the National Tea Party Convention in February. She said she was frustrated with the “growing narrative, the false narrative that the Tea Party represented the American people.”
“I just thought, ‘They don’t represent me, they represent a segment of society,’” she said. “I was frustrated because they were/are not offering solutions, they are just being obstructionists. But this doesn’t mean we’re not frustrated with Washington too; we just don’t feel represented by the Tea Party.”
Since the end of January, the Coffee Party has grown to more than 8,000 members in more than 40 chapters across the country.
Mike James, the organizer of the Coffee Party’s San Diego Chapter, said when he heard about the movement it “really rang true” for him. Since the creation of the local chapter, members have already hosted a series of events.
“The whole idea about moving away from political discourse and facilitating discussions is really important to me,” he said.
Park said the party will not protest or take a stand on an issue until issues are explored, and then it will offer solutions on solving problems within the federal government, particularly when it comes to finances. However, she did say the idea of “less government,” as played heavily by the Tea Party, is not a solution.
That, she said, is what makes the Coffee Party different from the Tea Party.
“We’re using a different methodology for change,” she said. “We do not feel comfortable with their model and we’re not going to assume that we have all the answers.”
Park said though that she welcomes a conversation with Tea Party activists. Her invitation is also welcomed, in turn, with the local Tea Party group.
Sarah Bond, co-founder of the Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition, said she has communicated with the local Coffee Party leaders and they have been “civil.”
“You know, when we started the movement, we knew a counter movement would pop up on the progressive end of the political spectrum,” she said. “The local leaders in the Coffee Party have been extremely civil and have extended a hand to us.”
She said though the Coffee Party has not taken a stand on issues, it is apparent from her communication with local members that most are “progressives, socialists or liberals.” Despite its possible political standing, the conservative Bond said she appreciates the group as most counter-protesters have been irreverent toward her and her members.
“If this is an effort to make this more about dialogue than posturing, I welcome that,” she said. “I wish the organizers well; we’re obviously not going to agree on issues, but I certainly sympathize with the sacrifice they are making to their personal lives.”
Despite the parties’ differences, Park and Bond both understand that the ultimate goal is reform.
“We want to change the political culture so that it’s more line with our values and promote civic participation,” Park said. “We want a government that represents the majority of Americans. We are the alternative to the Tea Party.”
She laughed before adding: “I still drink tea though.”
Hoa Quach is the political editor for the San Diego News Network.