Today, the local Democrats in Herny County, Georgia held a standard GOTV rally. “Citizens only, No candidates attending” — the most basic and uncontroversial event in any democracy.
But nothing is normal these days. As Matt Johnson of Atlanta’s WSB-TV reports, a participant of the GOTV rally, who was just holding signs, was brutally attacked and bloodied.
Police say a passerby attacked a man holding political signs who was standing on the side of a Henry County road.[...]
Police said a person stopped and confronted a man who was holding Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock signs.
Witnesses told Channel 2′s Matt Johnson that the suspect punched the victim in the face and then tore up his campaign signs.
The victim suffered wounds to his face and head. He was treated by paramedics at the scene and released. [...]
Fortunately, it seems like the injuries have not been very severe, although the characterization “Victim is ok” in the tweet seems a little too cheerful for me. The attacker was arrested and charged with battery. Hopefully, he will, as Republicans like to say, prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
We are at a time when participating in a simple GOTV rally can put you into physical danger. It’s wrong. It’s enraging. And it’s what Georgia Democrats will be confronted with for the next 24 days. They will continue fighting, because these are brave men and women. Let’s make sure we support them as well as we can. If you can, please chip in for the Democratic County Committees in Georgia via ActBlue, so that they at least have the necessary funds for the next weeks.
Do you want to know more about helping Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock win their runoff elections? Check out the diary This is how we are going to win the GA runoffs - a (nearly) complete guide, version 2.0.