Photos / Videos provided by A.J. DePriest
Published August 2, 2021
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
On Friday evening, July 30th, protestors gathered outside the Westin Hotel in downtown Chattanooga to protest against Governor Bill Lee, who was a speaker at the Hamilton County GOP’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner.
The peaceful protest against Lee was led by supporters of the Tennessee Neighbors for Liberty whose grievances against Lee included state-funded marketing promoting the COVID vaccine, limiting Tennessean’s liberties and failure to deliver on many points in his 10-point contract “Ten for Tenn” that he made with Tennesseans on the campaign trail.
On Thursday, preceding the event, the Chairman of the Hamilton County GOP, Arch Trimble IV, warned Glenda Pappu, president of Tennessee Neighbors for Liberty, that if she and other Republicans protested, they would be banned from party functions, according to David Tullis of NoogaRadio 92.7FM.
The Tennessee Conservative reached out to Trimble and he replied, “No comment.”
Tennessee Neighbors for Liberty member, A.J DePriest said, “He threatened to doxx us and punish us. What he said was, he was going to make sure we didn’t attend any other Republican events in the state. I mean — we’re conservatives. We all voted for Gov. Lee. So, if we can’t criticize him, who can — people who didn’t vote for him?”
However, the group followed through with their protest and Pappu spoke with TV reporters, rallied the protestors and touted a sign, her principles leading her to potentially break from party favor.
Tullis reported that David Queen, Pachyderm Club secretary, took names of party dissenters with smartphone snaps.
Roughly thirty picketers stood on the sidewalk outside the venue, holding up signs.
“I’m a black male conservative,” says Walter Hambrick, “and I am here because I disagree with all the new mask mandates they’re trying to do. I do believe they are trying to do this to mandate the vaccine. I will not take that mess. I will not put poison in my veins. I believe the vaccines are the reason we are dealing with the Delta variant.”
His poster depicted Gov. Lee and Bill Gates, with the words, “World depopulation advocate through vaccines.”
Earlier on Friday, Gov. Lee extended the state of emergency to August 31st.
Also on Friday, Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly imposed a “walking mask mandate” for people moving about in city-owned buildings reacting to statements made by Chattanooga’s Director for Community Health.
Dr. Mary Lambert said “This virus is spreading as fast as chicken pox, and the health effects of this mutated COVID-19 virus — even on younger individuals — are appalling and costly. Unvaccinated people in the emergency room are begging for the vaccine, but for far too many of them it’s far too late.”
9 Responses
I liked Walter Hambrick’s, “WORLD DEPOPULATION THROUGH VACCINES”. So true. I’m so disappointed in Governor Lee for letting businesses take away our freedom by us having to choose whether or not to take the jab to keep our jobs. What a RHINO!
It seems as though the Hamilton County GOP and it’s chairman are learning from their leftist pals. Dissenting opinions are not invited to OUR club!
Election year! Choose Wisely!!
This, once again, points to the need for a distinct new party of Tennessee conservatives. The “go-along to get-along” GOP just can’t be trusted to advance conservative values in Tennessee or anywhere else…
Agree. Better start scouting now. How can we learn who the True Conservatives are? They always seem to be while campaigning but after they get elected, they turn on us. How can we stop this? Suggestions?
Took pictures of party dissenters with smartphone snaps?
That sounds like the actions of a liberal!
What the hell is the Tennessee RINOs trying to do?? When a Republican threatens another Republican because of a Protest they (the RINOs) need to be purged. This is not our Fathers Republican Party. Bravo Tennessee Neighbors for Liberty–I am with y’all!!! Time for change isn’t it!!
So, I see the local GOP is standing up for 1st Amendment rights to free speech? NOT. And SHAME on them! Take note. We are being rail-roaded for control!
The Hamilton County GOP should remove Arch Trimble and our RINO governor from their offices. They are a greater enemy than the Democrats simply because they are operating on RINO principles within our Republican gates.