NEWPORT NEWS – Tax protests are underway across Hampton Roads.

A non-partisan group, the Hampton Roads Tea Party, held rallies in many localities today.

Video: Hundreds attend tax protest

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A press release from the group says lawmakers “aren’t listening to us on the bailout, TARP, the stimulus A.K.A. porkulus bill, and now the 3+ trillion dollar budget. We in effect have taxation without representation.”

The event in Va. Beach drew about 650 people, police estimate.

A large crowd gathered at Town Center in Newport News as well.

Angela Vaughn had her entire family there.

"I think that our government has lost its mind. They are doing things without our approval.  I think, if nothing else, our children need to know, even if there is nothing that happens, they need to know they have a voice," she said.

Not everyone thinks the government's efforts are bad. Charles Blanton, whose company recently went out of business, is now applying for unemployment.

"I think it is needed and will be needed for sometime to get the economy back rolling," he stated.