By Laura Bonawits, Contributing Writer

Though Friday was official Tax Day in America, Tea Party members from across the state took advantage of the filing extension to hold rallies over the weekend and Monday in their local communities.

In effort to garner Tea Party support, possible White House contenders like Rick Santorum and Donald Trump used the rallies as an opportunity to gain some leverage with party.

Similarly, candidates for local races made appearances at the events. In Pittsburgh, Allegheny County executive Republican candidates D. Raja and Chuck McCullough took the stage. Range Resources spokesman Matt Pitzarella was slated to speak but reportedly left the event early.

As the Tea Party turned two years old, members participated in the rallies to oppose the president’s health care plan, economic policies, and illegal immigration. Protesters used posters to convey their dismay, with some reading “Cut spending. Stop entitlement. Save our Republic.” and “Give me liberty, not debt.”

Countering the activity, some Tea Party demonstrations faced competition from other protesters. In Philadelphia, members from MoveOn.org also had a tax gripe. The group expressed their opposition of tax code loopholes for big corporations, particularly Bank of America, which they chose as their location to protest.

Challenging Pittsburgh rallies, union and social service workers from Pittsburgh United also showed their objection to corporate and wealthy tax breaks while clad in formal clothing, the Post-Gazette reported.

While Pittsburgh Tea Party patriots united to show disapproval with the federal government, Philadelphians took the chance to call for reform in the city. They focused on making Philadelphia “more business-friendly” and ending the DROP early retirement program.