“American Patriot Rally” scheduled for Saturday

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Residents of this picturesque little town (population 6,884) usually welcome visitors. But not so much Saturday. Better known for its hospitality and charming Christmas celebrations than politics – Dahlonega is bracing for what is billed as an “American Patriot Rally.” It’s a rally that many city officials fear could spark violence.

The original organizer is Chester Doles, a former member of the Ku Klux Klan who says the sole purpose is to “honor the President of the United States Donald J. Trump.” Doles said he had hoped to attract several hundred people to the rally when he filed the notice of intent in August.

“But when Atlanta Antifascists got wind of it, they began trying to intimidate people not to come so I withdrew,” he said. Shortly thereafter, another Trump supporter Dustin Penner filed the notice of intent for the same event.

Antifa — a radical group of anarchists, socialists and communists — and the Socialist Coalition of North Georgia (SCNG) have made it clear they plan to disrupt the rally. SCNG issued a press release calling on “antiracists and progressives of all stripes to come to Dahlonega Sept. 14.”

The rally is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and end at 3 p.m.

City and county officials have worked overtime, to prepare. Dahlonega City Council last week rushed through an ordinance that prohibits many items at the rally such as rocks, sticks, bottles, backpacks and umbrellas. The ordinance also prohibits drones except those that belong to law enforcement or government.

Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard said the rally will be staged in two separate areas.

“The original organizers of the rally will be at the Welcome Center on one side of the Dahlonega Gold Museum,” he said. “Antifa will be on the other side of the museum, about 70-100 yards away. If you want to be involved in the protest you have to pick one location or the other and there will be check points to make sure we get you to your location.”

The two groups will be separated by a wall of gray steel barricades and an even stronger wall of 300 – 500 law enforcement officers whose purpose is to ensure the event is peaceful and that First Amendment free speech rights are protected.

Still there was an uneasiness in town Friday. Residents and business owners were not sure what to expect. Some businesses will close Saturday. Others like Shenanigans Irish Pub and Bourbon Street Grille will remain open.

Asked if he would be in town tomorrow, University of North Georgia senior business marketing major Dean Delliponti said, “Definitely not.” He said he wasn’t sure what to expect. “It’s a crazy world but I hope there won’t be any violence. I don’t know why they had to pick little Dahlonega, Georgia.”

UNG senior biology major Katlin Thompson said she plans to attend. “I have to work but after work, I’m probably going to stop in just to see what it’s all about.”

Asked if she would like the groups to stay away from Dahlonega, she said, “Honestly? No I think everybody has the right to voice their opinion on anything they believe in. I just hope it isn’t in a negative way. We don’t need negative stigma for such a small town.”

As he often does, Jarrard asked for prayers for the city. “I hope when it’s over I can say I’m thankful that it’s over, thankful no one was injured, there was no loss of property and no one got assaulted. Hopefully we can go back to a routine life. Everybody has got a right to voice their opinion but that doesn’t mean it has to come with fear or hatred or destruction of property.”

 

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