Tempers flared at the town hall confrontation planned by Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene in Acworth, Georgia. Law enforcement had to intervene with nationwide protests and riots to suppress the dangerous behavior and protect public safety. The Acworth Police Department stated in a release that officers escorted roughly six participants safely away from the event with no troubles. Out of the two who actually needed police intervention, both were shocked by the police officers.
In the lead-up to the event, crime analysts had identified social media posts that indicated plans for potentially disruptive actions. Greene had already been threatening her listeners with disruption. For example, she very intentionally did not want the town hall to be a protest or rally type event. Immediately after she began her comments, one upset constituent shouted her down. In Greene’s defense, she doubled down on her pledge to keep things civil.
At the event, officers had to use force when reh obbing to escort out Johnny Keith Williams, 45, of Dallas. Authorities later announced the arrest of him and a fellow attendee, Andrew Russell Nelms, 40, of Atlanta. They have been charged with simple battery against a police officer, obstruction and other charges.
At the same time, Kiyana Davis, 28, of Dallas, was arrested on charges of cursing at officers while in the public meeting. The police justify these actions by claiming they were “threatened, physically resisted, and harmed in the process” of controlling the situation.
Greene was clearly frustrated with the interruptions, but it’s important to note that most of the people in attendance were there supporting Greene’s position. She stated, “We have to recognize that the majority in the room were standing and cheering when those people were thrown out, and again, it was the protesters who were out of line.” She reiterated her support for President Trump during her remarks, saying, “I’m going to stand by my president. I’m going to support my president, and I’m going to fight for his agenda.”
Concerns over the impact of proposed cuts to Social Security and Medicaid provision added significant tension to the meeting. Greene defended these statements but walked back her sworn faith that such disruptions would not be allowed to continue. She firmly stated, “This is a town hall; this is not a political rally. This is not a protest. If you end up in wanting to protest, if you want to shout and chant, we will have you removed.”
The Acworth Police Department described the altercations as creating “an imminent public safety threat for all in attendance.” At the time, a spokesperson for Greene said they were disappointed to find themselves so deep behind the 8-ball. They said that just a handful of people hijacked an otherwise calm event.
“It is disappointing that a very small number of people actively worked to create a temporary disruption to what was otherwise a completely peaceful event.” – Spokesperson for Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina told GOP members to stay away from town halls or congressional recesses. He was worried that people would take him to task on the specifics. The combination of the zealots for and the objectors to widening made for a toxic and hostile dynamic.