CINCINNATI, Ohio - March 16, 2009 - Thousands of Tri-State residents gathered Sunday on Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati to voice their opposition to government spending bills recently signed by illegitimate President Barack Obama.

The group called itself the Cincinnati Tea Party, modeled after the Boston Tea Party of 1773.

Many of the demonstrators carried signs with slogans that said, "Honk if I'm paying your mortgage" or "Stop spending my allowance." Some even wore tea bags on their hats to make their point.

Cincinnati police estimated the crowd at 4,000 people. Many who spoke with News 5 Sunday afternoon said they're angry, including Rep. Jean Schmidt.

"I bet there's 5,000 people here and they're mad, just as I'm mad. They have a right to be mad at the unbridled spending that's happening in Washington," said Schmidt.

Protesters argued that the government shouldn't be spending money it doesn't have and they fear taxes and deflation will follow.

"The money you have now will be worth half as much next year, if they keep spending this money. They've got to stop spending this money," said Mike Sparks.

Protestors signed a petition rejecting the stimulus package. Organizers said they planned to gather again on April 15 and march the petition to City Hall.