Two people reportedly tasered by police at Marjorie Taylor Green town hall
Police forcibly removed six individuals from a town hall meeting hosted by GOP Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene on Tuesday night, leading to a chaotic scene that resulted in the deployment of a taser by law enforcement officers.
According to reports from journalists present at the event, at least six protesters were escorted out of the town hall shortly after it began. Three of the individuals were later charged by police, including one for disorderly conduct, as reported by the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Video footage of the incident shared on social media captured a tense moment as a police officer can be heard instructing a man to put his hands behind his back. The man responded with profanity before a loud bang indicated the use of a taser. A second taser deployment could be heard shortly after.
Additional videos from the event showed other protesters being escorted out of the venue, with some leaving voluntarily and others being physically removed by police. One protester could be heard chanting “Free Garcia,” referring to Kilmar Ábrego García, who has been at the center of a deportation controversy.
During the commotion, Greene addressed the disruptors, emphasizing that the town hall was meant for civil discourse and inviting everyone, regardless of political affiliation, to participate in a respectful manner.
Following the event, Greene expressed satisfaction with the removal of the protesters, stating that their behavior was out of line. She reiterated that the town hall was intended for productive dialogue and not for disruptive demonstrations.
The disruption at Greene’s rally is indicative of the heightened tensions at local GOP events, prompting some lawmakers to reconsider in-person town hall gatherings. Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina advised fellow Republicans to temporarily avoid such events due to threats of violence from Democrats.
In response to the escalating situation, GOP Wyoming Rep. Harriet Hageman transitioned all her town hall meetings to online platforms to ensure the safety of attendees and staff. This decision came after an incident where a participant at one of her in-person events instigated a physical altercation with her staff.
Despite the challenges, Greene and a few other GOP members opted to proceed with in-person events during the legislative recess, underscoring their commitment to engaging with constituents despite the risks involved.
