On Independence Day, the Connecticut Tea Party Patriots will hold public rallies in Hartford, Norwich and Stratford to encourage elected officials to exercise fiscal restraint, rein in government growth and support America’s free market economy.

The Hartford Tea Party will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on the Capitol steps, 210 Capitol Ave.

The Norwich Tea Party will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chelsea Parade, at the intersection of Broadway and Washington streets.

The Stratford Tea Party will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at Boothe Memorial Park, 5800 Main St.

Tea Party speakers will talk about the fiscal irresponsibility of our elected officials and advocate:

Repeal of the federal Stimulus Bill that was passed in February.

Repeal of all “pork” spending that has not been funded already.

Defeat of the proposed health care reform bill.

Defeat of the anti-energy “cap and trade” bill that will cripple our economy.

The organizers ask attendees to bring American flags to celebrate Independence Day and to rally to preserve the individual freedoms that the Founders won with their blood, sweat and tears. All are invited to attend.

The Independence Day Tea Party will feature an “open mic” along with scheduled speakers. Attendees will be able to sign up for email updates, make rally signs on the spot, and sign petitions related to Connecticut lawmakers such as U.S. Sens. Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman.

The Connecticut Tea Party Patriots is part of the National Tea Party Patriots, a grassroots organization that supports entrepreneurship, promotes individual responsibility, respects Constitutional integrity, and favors American ingenuity over expansive governmental growth and spending. The National Tea Party Patriots is not affiliated with any political party.

July 4 Tea Parties will take place all over the United States, each independently organized and operated. Connecticut Tea Party Patriots also plans to participate in a National Day of Tea Parties scheduled for July 17, during which Tea Parties will be held at noon EST in every congressional district office in the country, to protest government-run health care.

For more information, contact Tanya at newh...@gmail.com, or visit www.teapartypatriots.org and click on the “Connecticut” link.