An Oklahoma congresswoman and gubernatorial candidate said she may stand with the Taxed Enough Already Party, but does not support violence.

Rep. Mary Fallin, R-Okla., told The Daily she is being misrepresented as a supporter of violence because she flew the Gadsden Flag, also known as the “Don’t Tread On Me” Flag, before the U.S. House of Representatives voted on health care reform.

“A large and very passionate crowd of everyday patriotic Americans came to Washington on a day’s notice to oppose a federal government takeover of our health care system,” Fallin said by e-mail. “They delivered a message to the government that is close to my heart: That government has become too big, too powerful and too indifferent to the will of the people.”

The U.S. House of Representatives passed health care legislation March 21. Before the vote took place, Fallin was seen standing on a balcony of the U.S. Capitol with a few of her colleagues flying a “Don’t Tread On Me Flag” with a large crowd of TEA Party protestors.

“I promised Oklahomans and the American people I would fight against any federal government takeover of health care that will raise our taxes, impose intrusive federal mandates, undermine our Constitution and make us less economically free as a nation,” Fallin said. “I joined the 30,000 Americans who showed up in D.C. to listen and let them know I heard their concerns. Together, we relied on the only tool we had left after being disenfranchised by Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi and the back room deals she cut — our voices.”

Fallin’s actions were taped by many news organizations, and on March 24, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, announced House Democrats have been threatened by members of the TEA Party movement. Fallin’s actions at the rally before the vote were repeatedly shown in association with TEA Party violence.

House Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., equated the actions taken against members of Congress to violence members of the black community faced during the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

In Virginia, the brother of Congressman Tom Perriello, D-Va., had the gas line to his house intentionally cut after receiving threatening remarks because of Perriello’s vote in favor of health care reform.

Also in Virginia, House Minority Whip Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., who voted against health care reform, had a bullet fired into his office after suggesting democrats were not the only ones receiving threats.

When mentioning these two incidents, footage of Fallin flying the Gadsden Flag was run on three major cable news networks, MSNBC, CNN and Fox News. Fallin said she has been misrepresented by having the reports on violence voiced over footage of her actions.

Fallin said one of the greatest strengths of the United States is the right for people to voice their concerns to the government.

“The American people have every right to voice their opposition to this government takeover in a peaceful assembly," Fallin said. "However there is no room for acts of violence and vandalism, and people who engage in such acts undermine their message.”