Coffee Movement Offering an Alternative to Tea Parties

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Coffee Party movement is waking up Oklahomans who want to do something about their government.

The founder of the Coffee Party said the point is for citizens to sit and talk about what issues concern them, instead of shouting during an outdoor rally.

"I think it's because coffee is, it's hard to shout when you've got a cup of coffee in your hand," said Oklahoma Coffee Party host Harriet Bohanan.

Bohanan, a Norman counselor, is organizing one of Oklahoma's Coffee Party meetings this weekend. 

"We had our first meeting two weeks ago, and nearly a dozen people showed up," Bohanan said. "We all went around and picked one or two of our key issues and we talked about how we can make an impact and have our voice heard in a very conservative state. We're expecting many more on Saturday".

Saturday's Coffee Party Summit was held at Michelangelo's Coffee Shop on Main Street in Norman. About two dozen people showed up.

Meetings are also planned in Enid and Tulsa.

More than 400 Coffee Parties are expected across the country for what's being called the Coffee Party Summit.

"What we want is basically a change in our political culture. We feel that our political culture has been really toxified by just bickering and fighting," said Annabel Park, Coffee Party founder.

Coffee Party organizers said they don't want to be labeled as liberals, in fact, conservatives are encouraged to show up. Coffee or tea - right or left, organizers said it makes no difference. They just want to talk about it.

Find out more information on the Coffee Party movement.