Two protesters were tased and several more were arrested during a wild town hall held by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene that was crashed by the demonstrators on Tuesday.
One disruptor at the Acworth Community Center – about 30 miles outside Atlanta – appeared to shove a police officer as he was being forcibly removed from the event, resulting in two officers deploying their Tasers against him.
“This is a peaceful town hall, ladies and gentlemen,” Greene (R-Ga.) told the crowd seconds after the man was jolted by the stun guns, videos posted on X show. “This should not have to happen.”
At least six protesters were led out by law enforcement during the hour-long forum, according to the Acworth Police Department
Three arrests were made, two of which required the deployment of tasers, authorities said.
Several of the disruptions came within the first few minutes of Greene’s remarks.
Near the end of the town hall, several more protesters walked out, some screaming obscenities at the congresswoman.
One man chanted, “Free Kilmar” – a reference to an alleged MS-13 gang member wrongly deported to El Salvador last month – as he was led out by police.
The Acworth Police Department said Greene’s office pre-screened attendees to ensure they resided in her district – but one of the individuals arrested provided authorities with a driver’s license with an address outside of the 14th Congressional District.
“While attempting to remove the subjects from the event, officers were threatened, physically resisted, and harmed in the process,” the law enforcement agency said. “One of those arrested provided identification that placed them outside of Congresswoman Greene’s district.”
The Acworth Police Department said it worked in conjunction with several state law enforcement agencies to gather “intelligence” ahead of the event, which indicated the “potential for disruptive behavior.”
“Plans were made in advance with this intelligence in mind,” Acworth police said. “Sadly, as soon as the Congresswoman began her presentation, several members of the audience became disruptive and created an imminent public safety threat for all in attendance.”
“Their intentions were clear, to place the members of our beloved police department in a no-win situation in front of numerous media outlets.”
Authorities identified Andrew Russell Nelms, 40, of Atlanta, and Johnny Keith Williams, 45, of Dallas, as the two individuals who were tased and charged with simple battery and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
Kiyana Davis, 28, of Dallas, was arrested for violating a city ordinance on vulgar language.
“I’m glad they got thrown out. That’s exactly what I wanted to see happen,” Greene told reporters after the event. “This isn’t a political rally or a protest.”
“I held a town hall tonight. You know who was out of line? The protesters.”
House Republican leaders have urged their GOP members to avoid hosting in-person town halls and instead hold virtual events, whenever possible, amid Democratic backlash to the Trump administration and in particular, the cost-cutting moves by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
In recent weeks, several GOP town halls have been infiltrated by union workers and other Democratic allies, according to GOP lawmakers.
