State Rep. Sheri Gilligan

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Local Republican leaders were quick to condemn the action of the left-wing radical group Black Lives Matter that brought a halt to Sen. Kelly Loeffler’s trip to Forsyth County on her All About America bus tour Thursday.

Before her speech to supporters at the Sawnee Mountain Park Community Center was halted by BLM activists Loeffler blasted protesters.

“You have seen the left move swiftly, radically, violently. You couldn’t imagine it, but this year, 2020, they want to replace American ideals literally with socialism,” she said. “They’re looking to replace not just our freedom and our Constitutional rights but our way of life.”

Moments later she was shouted down by chants of “Black Lives Matter” and “No Justice No Peace.”

Forsyth GOP Chairman Patrick Bell

Forsyth County Republican Party Chairman Patrick Bell said, “So chanting, interrupting and even threatening people is how the left intends on making this a better country. As we have seen several times this week, Republicans in this state are being recognized for real measurable successes for all citizens. Democrats…not so much.”

District 24 State Rep. Sheri Gilligan added, “Republicans had a great opportunity to hear directly from their senator. Unfortunately Democrat activists shouted down any ability to have a free exchange of ideas. Everyone agrees the lives of black people/people of color matter. Americans also agree we have room for improvement. The cancel culture movement harms its own message when their messengers are bullies. Brow beating is not debate. I admire (Loeffler’s) courage under fire and maintaining her composure.”

County Commissioner Molly Cooper

County Commissioner Molly Cooper stated, “The repetitive chant of “Black Lives Matter” continued in response to Senator Kelly Loeffler after she stated emphatically that black lives most certainly do matter and there is no place for racism in our country. It was such a shame that the Black Lives Matter chanters were deaf to what Senator Loeffler passionately emphasized. Regardless of the chants, or the refusal by the Black Lives Matter chanters to engage in discussion, we had a terrific meet and greet and if anyone was ‘on the fence’ about voting for Senator Loeffler, the Black Lives Matter chanters accidentally encouraged them to choose the compassionate, strong, conservative woman that does not back down. Thank you to the Black Lives Matter chanters.”

Former GOP Chairman Ethan Underwood, who campaigned unsuccessfully for 9^th District U.S. Congress this year, said, “It’s ironic that freedom of speech is being used to drown out civil discourse.”

Ethan Underwood

Thursday’s protest infuriated Loeffler’s supporters who responded with chants of “All Lives Matter” and “Kelly, Kelly.” While several people confronted the protestors face-to-face, the confrontation did not escalate into violence. About a dozen Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office deputies were stationed inside and outside the facility but were unable to intervene because the event was held at a public park.

Loeffler was never allowed to resume her speech. Before leaving along with Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton for the next stop on her All About Georgia bus tour (Hall County), Loeffler spoke briefly with reporters outside the community center, stating that she has proposed legislation that would withhold funding from district attorneys who refuse to prosecute crimes that arise from protests.

“It applies to any rioters, looters, arsonists, anything that is unlawful,” she said. “We have to enforce the law. We have district attorneys who are not enforcing the law. We have to make sure they are accountable.”

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com