The full press release below the fold, but groups from across the political spectrum will be protesting at the $100 per couple fundraiser House Minority Leader John Boehner is hosting for Griffith Monday evening at the Space & Rocket Center Marriott in Huntsville. I strongly encourage you to make a sign and join us to express your displeasure with Griffith'sspecial brand of non-representation, for example:
Griffith is everybody's problem. Sure, I won't agree with everyone at this protest on every single thing -- maybe not on most things. But we all agree that Griffith has got to go, and for now that one common purpose will let us stand on the same sidewalk in near perfect harmony. Some of these folks may be less than perfectly tolerant, but the Alabama A&M Student Democrats will be there, so for an hour or so the Tea Party crowd will find common cause with young African Americans. And the increased tolerance may even flourish, because it's a good deal harder to villify someone after you've looked them in the eye and exchanged war stories with them.
Activists on both sides tend to be folks who are paying more than the average amount of attention to government; it's telling that, across the spectrum, people following politics agree that Parker Griffith is doing a terrible job for his constituents.
Details:
We have permission to protest on the sidewalks in front of the Marriott on Monday, March 8, between 4:30 and 6:30 pm Monday evening. Since the fundraiser starts at 5:30, I figure the "sweet spot" is from 5 to 6 pm or so, when donors will be arriving. Please try to make it during that time. We have permission to park in the lot at the US Space & Rocket Center, past the Marriott. Do not park at the hotel. Bring your signs (suggestions below). Wear your Griffith mask and pants on fire costume. Bring a bucket for contributions in case folks decide to help Parker refund those Democratic dollars he's been holding on to. Most of all, bring your activist spirit and willingness to literally stand up for what you believe, if only for a short time.
What sign will you carry?
Where's my refund?
Where's my effective representation?
Parker's a millionaire, he doesn't need your money!
Griffith sold out his old donors, he'll sell you out too!
Griffith has to GO!
Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire!
Griffith, Go Home
Please, help spread the word about this protest. Email this link, share it with your friends on Facebook, tweet about the protest, call your friends, drag you relatives down there on Monday -- get involved and help us send a clear message to Parker Griffith: North Alabama doesn't love you anymore!
Groups From Both Sides of the Political Spectrum Come Together To Protest GOP Leader Fundraiser For Rep. Griffith In Huntsville
HUNTSVILLE, AL-- Not long after invitations were sent out for a Rep. Parker Griffith fundraising event, headlined by House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), several local organizations from both sides of the political spectrum announced plans to protest the event. Planned for March 8, 2010 at the Space & Rocket Center, starting at 5:00 pm, the protest will include members of the Huntsville Tea Party, Left In Alabama, Athens-Limestone Tea Party Patriots, AAMU Democrats Student Club, The Dale Jackson Show, North Alabama Healthcare for All, Madison County Republican Executive Committee, and the Limestone County Republican Executive Committee. AFL-CIO will be holding a press conference at the Marriott Hotel near the Space & Rocket Center in protestation, before the protest event and the fundraiser. Organizers invite the public to attend.
"We are sending a message to the national Republican establishment: stay out of our primary. We also want to support the true conservative candidates that Tea Party activists and the local GOP have gotten behind, Les Phillip and Mo Brooks. We're pushing back against the political machine," said Christie Carden, founder of the Huntsville Tea Party.
"Bipartisanship is not dead. People of all political persuasions see that Parker Griffith is an opportunist who cannot be trusted to keep his word. As such, he is not - nor can he ever be - an effective representative for North Alabama. Griffith gave up critical committee assignments at a time when the 5th District is fighting for federal transportation and space dollars, clearly demonstrating that he cares more about his reelection prospects than his constituents. Now, Congressman Boehner is displaying the same indifference to local concerns by meddling in the Republican primary. Such behavior deserves no reward," said Sherry Walker, publisher of Left In Alabama blog, who is encouraging her readers to attend the protest.
"Our message to Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) is stay out of the 5th district's business. Mr. Boehner's support of Parker Griffith proves he has a blatant disregard for what the voters in Alabama's 5th congressional district want. The Tea Party Movement began and is continuing today because the people are being ignored. Government officials have forgotten who they work for and "We the People" are tired of it and determined to take our Country Back," said Deborah King, founder of the Athens-Limestone Tea Party Patriots.
"The AAMU Democrats Student Club wishes to express its principled opposition to Parker Griffith. We want it to be clear that our opposition is not based on his politics but rather his complete lack of integrity and character. It is our position that Mr. Griffith is an unprincipled opportunist lacking the kind of values and political ability to make critical decisions in the best interest of the citizens of North Alabama," said club President, Sharda Lofton.
"The willingness of the national GOP to campaign and provide political cover for a man like Parker Griffith over Mo Brooks and Les Phillip makes me wonder how they will govern IF the American People give them another chance. Shame on the GOP for disrespecting the voters of Alabama's 5th District," said Dale Jackson, a local talk radio host who is encouraging his listeners to attend the protest.
"Rep. Griffith has shown us that he is not serious about helping people get affordable, quality care. Griffith needs to step out of this race and let someone else represent the people of North Alabama," said Linda Haynes, coordinator of North Alabama Healthcare for All, a chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program.
"I and other Republicans realize that Griffith is an imposter, a liberal Democratic opportunist, and we believe that he should not be allowed on the Republican ballot. Mr. Boehner has no business here in North Alabama, and the local Republican Committee has in effect said so. He would be better advised to bunker down within the confines of his Inside-the-Beltway-Fortress and stay there. Here he is persona non grata," said Hugh McInnish, a member of the Madison County Republican Executive Committee, who has encouraged the group to attend the protest. "Recruitment of qualified Republican candidates is very difficult and John Boehner has not helped that process. Why would anyone want to run for office as a Republican and be trampled by the National Republican Party against the will of the local Republican Leadership?" said Rex Davis and Don Hudleston, members of the Limestone County Republican Executive Committee, who have encouraged the group to attend the protest.
"We have experienced Washington's intrusion in state GOP primaries before and the results were disastrous. Alabama now has a Democratic 2nd District congressman to prove it. It was a wrong GOP move in '08 and it is a wrong move now. Even if it is allowable under party rules, it sends a wrong message that Washington is attempting to choose the 5th District Republican candidate. Seven of the eight GOP chairs in the 5th District agree that the Boehner appearance is ill-advised and should be canceled," said Paul Reynolds and members of the Alabama Republican State Committee.
Huntsville Tea Party's website is currently down this morning, but will have an active link for this press release available on the front page as soon as possible today. www.huntsvilleteaparty.com
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