The Atlanta Journal Constitution headline says it all: “Protest overwhelms GOP congressional aides in east Georgia”. East Georgia is not like liberal Atlanta, it is a pretty conservative place — and sure, some of these may have traveled from other urban areas to pay a visit. But still — our senators and representatives are on notice that we are paying attention and willing to speak out.
Hundreds of protesters gathered at a “constituent service day” for U.S. Sens. David Perdue and Johnny Isakson and U.S. Rep. Jody Hice in this east Georgia town, cheering as one speaker after another railed against the three Republicans and the Trump administration.
It is critical that we keep up this energy and the pressure — a few events like these and it is easy for them to brush us aside as fringe. But as the Teabaggers showed us, persistence pays!
The half-dozen or so aides staffing the event were clearly caught off guard by the size and organization of the protesters, and they briefly walked out of the room to chants of “Shame!”
How rich, the image of little GOP mini-me’s retreating when faced by the people. And I think our hope lies in this quote:
Many Republicans — elected officials and otherwise — have been dismissive of the movement. They say the Democratic groundswell will not connect with average voters in Georgia, which Trump won by 5 percentage points.
Georgia was within 5 points — which means it is winnable. Romney won Georgia by 8 points, so the winds continue to push in our favor in GA despite the horrendous losses this cycle. If we push on the ground and mobilize the untapped voters out there, we can win!
Below is an extended video of speakers at the event — and check out the AJC’s cool 360 feature so you can pan around the room and really feel the energy!