Forsyth County Tea Party, GOP rally for Trump in wake of shooting – Appen Media
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. More than 150 Forsyth County residents lined up along Buford Highway July 14 in support of former President Donald Trump after he was injured in a shooting at a Pennsylvania campaign event the night before.
The Forsyth County Tea Party organized the show of solidarity alongside the county GOP organization less than 24 hours after the shooting, spreading the word through its social media channels and email lists.
Standing in the sunlight on the 95-degree afternoon, the crowd chanted USA, USA, and cheered as dozens of passing cars honked their horns in support. Almost all were garbed in red MAGA hats and Trump-themed T-shirts, waving various flags depicting the former president or emblazoned with his campaign slogans. A small stand sold Trump merchandise at the rally.
Donald Trump supporters line up along Buford Highway in support of the former president a day after the former president was injured in an assassination attempt.
Members of the crowd condemned the shooting, which also killed one bystander a former fire chief and critically wounded two others, according to the Associated Press.
A lot of us in this crowd have probably been to a Trump rally, said Bobby Donnelly, a member of the countys Tea Party. I dont think that many of us would think that were putting our life on the line by standing behind the president and doing something that would probably be one of the most memorable moments of your life. My heart really goes out for them and their families.
County Commissioner Todd Levent, who also attended the rally, said the Saturday shooting may have galvanized support for the former president.
Theres always 5 to 10 percent of the population that is unsure until the last little bit, Levent said. They dont really care about that Republican or Democrat line I think what happened yesterday is going to change a lot of those minds to go, OK, enough, enough, enough.
Vicki Tarver stands with a pro-Donald Trump flag at a rally in support of the former president July 14.
Vicki Tarver, another attendee, agreed that the attack had likely amped up Trumps base of support.
I definitely think this is a pro, but I hate it, Tarver said. I thank the Lord his head was turned away. You know, it could have been a lot different.
Forsyth Countys Democratic Party organization had planned to hold its own event Sunday, celebrating a Biden campaign office opening in the county. The organization postponed the celebration soon after news of the shooting broke.
Two men hold a flag that reads GEORGIA FOR TRUMP during a rally in support of Donald Trump July 14.
We strongly condemn political violence in any form, to anyone, Forsyth Democrats posted on their Facebook page. Part of what makes America the greatest country in the world is the freedom to disagree on public policy and to organize our communities, galvanize support and take those values to the ballot box.
President Biden also condemned the attack following the shooting and again during an address the evening of July 13.
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Forsyth County Tea Party, GOP rally for Trump in wake of shooting - Appen Media