Atlanta, GA — The story is going viral nationwide.
GRA-endorsed State Senator Colton Moore today was illegally blocked from entering a joint session of the state legislature by minions of GA Speaker Jon Burns. The purpose of the joint session was to hear the Governor’s State of the State address. When Senator Moore insisted on exercising his lawful right and duty to attend the joint session, he was wrongfully arrested and sent to the same Fulton County Jail where Donald Trump obtained his famous mug shot.
This treatment of Senator Moore was completely unjustified. Both Lt. Governor Burt Jones and GA GOP Chairman Josh McKoon have put out statements acknowledging that fact, but Speaker Burns’ office continues to publicly attempt to rationalize their actions.
If you haven’t yet seen the video of the altercation, you have to see it right away here.
What led up to this scene was likewise petty and tyrannical.
Speaker Burns originally banned Colton from the State House chamber last year when Colton expressed a dissenting opinion about a resolution promoting the late previous Speaker David Ralston. Ralston had a terrible record of corruption, and it was completely inappropriate for him to be put up on a pedestal as a model for other politicians to imitate.
Regardless, however, the Georgia State Constitution explicitly forbids elected state legislators from being treated this way in Article III, Section 4, Paragraph IX, which says:
“Paragraph IX. Privilege of members. The members of both houses shall be free from arrest during sessions of the General Assembly, or committee meetings thereof, and in going thereto or returning therefrom, except for treason, felony, or breach of the peace. No member shall be liable to answer in any other place for anything spoken in either house or in any committee meeting of either house.” (underlining added)
The GRA stands against corruption and cowardice by Republican elected officials. While GRA-endorsed Sen. Colton Moore is willing to let Americans know about the corruption and problems in politics and exemplify courage to uncover and fix them, people like State Rep. Jon Burns and those elected government officials and party officials staying silent exemplify cowardice. They disregard and hate the Constitution. They let people like Donald Trump and Colton Moore go to jail, in hopes they will go away.
To fight against this cowardice and corruption, we need every Republican appalled by this behavior to get involved and join the GRA.
Help us get more true Republicans elected with the integrity and courage of Colton Moore!
The GRA proudly stands 100% with our endorsed State Senator Colton Moore. Our attorney team will support charges Senator Moore pursues against those that assaulted him and obstructed him from performing the duties of his elected office.
We urge you to contact your State Representative and Speaker Burns’ office to register your outrage about how Senator Moore was treated. State Representatives’ contact information can be found at this link. You can call the Speaker’s officer during normal business hours at 1-404-656-5020.