Chaos at Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Town Hall: Protesters Tasered, Three Arrested
Acworth, Georgia – April 16, 2025
A town hall hosted by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) at the Acworth Community Center on April 15 descended into turmoil as police tasered two protesters and arrested three, with six others removed for disruptions, per CNN and The New York Times. The event, meant to engage constituents, was overshadowed by clashes over Greene’s support for President Trump’s policies, notably tariffs and deportations, sparking heated reactions on X, where users debate free speech versus public safety.
Disruptions and Police Response
Within minutes of Greene’s opening remarks, protesters interrupted, booing and chanting, per NBC News. Acworth Police, citing prior intelligence of planned disruptions, removed nine attendees, with three—Andrew Russell Nelms, 40, Johnny Keith Williams, 45, and Kiyana Davis, 28—arrested, per AP News. Charges included simple battery on an officer, obstructing law enforcement, and vulgar language, per CBS News. Videos show Nelms, tasered twice after resisting, shouting, “I can’t breathe!” as officers subdued him, per The New York Times. A second protester was tasered outside, with some in the crowd cheering, per Rolling Stone.
Greene, unfazed, declared, “This is a town hall, not a protest,” warning of removals, per ABC News. She later praised police, saying, “I’m glad they got thrown out,” and dismissed protesters as “out of line,” per Fox News. Acworth Police stated officers were “threatened, resisted, and harmed,” justifying force, per Atlanta Journal-Constitution. On X, opinions split: “Police protected everyone—good call,” one user posted, while another fumed, “Tasing citizens for speaking out? That’s tyranny.”
Issues Fueling Protests
Protesters targeted Greene’s backing of Trump’s tariffs, which she defended as not taxing Americans, despite economic consensus predicting price hikes, per The Independent. One sign accused her of profiting from stock buys during tariff-related market dips, which she attributed to her financial adviser, per Yahoo News. Others, chanting “Free Garcia,” referenced Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s deportation, which Greene falsely linked to MS-13, despite his legal status, per People. She quipped, “Just like that illegal alien,” as a protester was ejected, per Raw Story.
The event, limited to pre-registered constituents with ID checks, drew about 150 attendees, per The Guardian. Greene read pre-screened questions, dodging live queries, a move critics like Essence Johnson of Cobb County Democrats called “unjust” to silence dissent, per WSB-TV. A question accusing her of ignoring a “fascist takeover” drew a sarcastic rebuttal: “I’ve yet to see a fascist gathering,” per Atlanta News First.
Context and Fallout
The chaos reflects rising tensions at GOP town halls, with leaders like Rep. Richard Hudson advising against in-person events due to protests over Trump’s agenda and Elon Musk’s federal cuts, per Newsweek. Greene’s district, though solidly Republican, includes left-leaning Cobb County, amplifying friction, per Sky News. Outside, over 100 protesters rallied, waving signs, per Daily Mail. Wendy Davis, a former Greene opponent, attended to challenge her on cuts to safety nets, per Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Greene’s team touted the event’s success, claiming support from most attendees, per Newsweek. However, critics on X argue the heavy-handed response—30 officers for 150 people—stifled free speech: “MTG’s scared of real questions,” one posted. Supporters counter, “She’s got death threats—police had to act,” referencing her claim of frequent threats, per The Daily Beast. The incident, paired with Garcia’s ongoing deportation saga, keeps Greene in the spotlight as a polarizing figure.
By Staff Writer, Political Pulse Press
Sources: CNN, The New York Times, NBC News, AP News, CBS News, Rolling Stone, ABC News, Fox News, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Independent, Yahoo News, People, Raw Story, The Guardian, WSB-TV, Newsweek, Sky News, Daily Mail, Atlanta News First, posts on X