Tea Party Members Protest Outside Boxer Fund Raiser

About 25 Tea Party members gathered down the street from a private home on El Cerrito Avenue, where a fund-raising performance for Sen. Barbara Boxer was getting under way early this afternoon.

Many of the protesters wore red T-shirts identifying them as members of a group called Bay Area Patriots. They were there in support of Carly Fiorina, Boxer's opponent in the November U.S. Senate race.

Sally Zelikovsky, chairwoman of Marin for Carly, brought an assortment of signs espousing Fiorina's qualities and pointing out what she said are Boxer's failures.

The protest did no seem to hamper guests for the event, where Grateful Dead musicians Phil Lesh and Bob Weir were set to perform. Andy Menhar, 37, of Oakland, arrived early at what he thought of as a once-in-lifetime opportunity to see the musicians. He paid $150 for a ticket but said guests could pay more for meet-and-greet opportunities.

He said he was not attending for political reasons, but said he does not favor Boxer's opponent.

"I'd be happy if Boxer is re-elected," Menhar said.