KTBS 3 News | Shreveport, LA: ArkLaTex News - Unlikely face makes strides in the Tea Party

Posted: Nov 15, 2009 9:44 PM
Updated: Nov 15, 2009 10:54 PM

There's an unlikley face in an unlikely place for the local TEA party.

In a tiny, mostly black church tucked away in the woods outside Grand Cane, Louisiana, Rev. C. L. Bryant leads the worship. But when he's not at the pulpit of Cedar Hill Baptist Church, he may be at the mic for the TEA party.

That political activism started at the tax day TEA party rally in Bossier City. Bryant just showed up to support the protest against big government bailouts and spending. He was introduced to board member Royal Alexander, who already had a full slate of speakers.

"But the more I talked to him, I said, no, I'll cut someone else off, he's going to speak," Alexander remembers.

He says Braynt was the highlight of the event. It was the first of Bryant's speeches that have made YouTube. After preaching the conservative gospel on tax day, Bryant was brought back for the July 4th rally in Bossier, and then ... the huge 9-12 rally in Washington, D.C.

"We will not bow down to any earthly kings!" Bryant bellowed to the rally that drew hundreds of thousands. "We don't get our freedoms from democrats! We don't get our freedom from Republicans! We are empowered in our rights endowed by our creator!"

That line was one of many that produced loud cheers from the mostly white crowd of hundreds of thousands.

Bryant says, "The reception of this African American pastor and saying the things to them from my heart that evidently was in their hearts, let me know one thing: that i wasn't talking to colors. I wasn't talking to Republicans. I wasn't talking to conservatives. I was talking to people who valued American principles."

Bryant's journey took a sharp turn about 20 years ago, when he broke from the NAACP in Garland, Texas where he was the president. He was unwilling to bend on his pro-life views. Bryant and his wife Jane, who've enjoyed an interracial marriage of 35 years, began a shift toward conservative thinking.

Bryant's congregation at Cedar Hill remains loyal, despite his political activism.

"He doesn't tell us what to think. We don't tell him what to think," says Hattie Hogan-Jones.

Adds church deacon Oscar T. Wilcott, "He's not a politician, not in my book. He tries to do the will of God."

And while there may be more big stages for Bryant with the TEA party, there's also a bigger church being built, where Bryant vows to continue serving his congregation.

"How can I preach about principles when I take the first opportuity that would lead me out of the woods or whatever you might think this is," Bryant says, gazing at the modern, nearly complete church. "No, this is the promised land as far as I'm concerned," he adds.

Red River TEA party board member Alexander says they have about half a dozen African-American members. But he says they showcase reverend bryant because of his great speaking and deeply held conservative and patriotic views.

Neutral + − !

Rhonda at Nov 16th 2009 9:29 PM

I have had the privilege to see CL Bryant at all of these events. He is amazing. He really could get people to get excited. He tells it from his heart. He is a member of our redriverteaparty.com and we are all so glad to have him. They are in the making of having another Riley and naming it"GOD AND COUNTRY". We need God back in our country.

Jesus at Jan 8th 2010 8:02 AM

YES I also was at D.C.Rally it was the GREATEST EXP.in a lifetime, I`m going back.. Bro C.L.Bryant is a GREAT speaker MAY GOD BLESS HIM and His CHURCH for ther secrieficy redriverteaparty.com