The Columbia County Republican Party, locals and speakers gathered in a parking lot on Saturday morning, March 2, to demand justice for a recently killed Augusta University nursing student.
In memory of Laken Riley, a University of Georgia nursing student who was murdered by an illegal alien on Feb. 22, several Republican personalities and government officials spoke on the importance of securing Georgians’ safety and the nation’s border.
Within the parking lot of the county’s Republican Party Headquarters, located at 4487 Columbia Road, many held signs criticizing President Joe Biden and emphasizing the remembrance of Riley.
Highlighting passionate activists, the rally featured CJ Pearson, a Republican candidate for District 125 and former PragerU personality; Columbia County Republican Party Chairman Joe Edlemon; Honorary Chairman Jenny Beth Martin of the Tea Party Patriots Action; and Turning Point Action field representative Joseph Wargo.
As many expressed their support for Republican candidate Donald Trump, Edlemon said the Republican Party has fought for stronger immigration laws for several years to prevent deaths such as Riley’s.
“We’re bringing in criminals – 10 million criminals across our border,” he said. “[Riley] should have never lost her life … we won’t stand for it anymore. She needs justice.”
Calling for Georgia citizens to unite against the existence of sanctuary cities and continue rallying, Edlemon said Riley’s legacy should ensure the country’s safety and especially other college students.
“We need to secure our borders now. We need to take back an America that we know is prosperous. We need to take back an America that is sovereign – it’s our nation, not theirs,” he said. “We need to stand up and say ‘enough is enough.’”
Following Edlemon, Wargo emphasized concern for his hometown of Athens, as a result of the threats illegal aliens pose to residents.
“If we don’t do something now, it’s not going to just be Laken Riley. It’s going to be my sister, it’s going to be your sister, and any other student,” he said. “It doesn’t just stop here … Venezuela is now enjoying a 20-year low in crime.”
As criminals are released from other countries’ prisons and brought to the U.S., Wargo said the nation’s peace will continually deplete.
“Right now, we’re not just experiencing the failures, and disillusions, and the decline of one city, but of the whole country,” said Wargo. “This is just a symbol for what’s happening in the whole country … it’s happening everywhere, all the time, and people just ignore it.”
Pearson followed Wargo to speak on behalf of younger generations and how Biden’s policies and executive orders, regarding immigration, have resulted in “every state becoming a border state.”
“I’m just 21 years old. Laken Riley was just one year older than me, and her death was avoidable. It was preventable,” he said. “Oftentimes, I speak about how, under Joe Biden, my generation is suffering consequences unlike ever before, but we’re not just suffering consequences anymore – we’re dying under his policies.”
Calling the Riley’s situation as more than a crisis, but the example of “a nationwide invasion,” Pearson said Republican politicians should fight to make Georgia the “least hospitable state for illegals.”
“There is no reason in a red state, with a Republican governor in a Republican legislature, that we should have sanctuary cities within our state’s borders,” he said. “There is also no reason that in the state of Georgia we should have ‘catch-and-release’ policies.”
Wanting to implement legislation which will hold politicians personally and financially responsible for illegal aliens’ crimes, Pearson said every Republican should continue calling for change until every American enjoys safety and security.
“If we don’t right the ship that our country is on, my generation stands to have the most to lose,” he said. “… all these people on the left, they always say we have to care about the needs and wants of illegal aliens. I will start to care about the needs of illegal aliens when every single homeless veteran in our country has a place to sleep at night.”
With extensive experience and exposure to the nation’s Mexican border and those who are in-charge of protecting it, Martin said many illegal aliens are granted entrance and financial support to stay within the U.S.
“We must secure this border. It is the number one issue,” said Martin. “… they are going everywhere all over the country and they’re using our tax dollars.”
Alongside, Columbia County residents and District 131 candidates Paul Abbott and Rickey Meredith spoke on how “wide open borders” are also allowing cartels within the country, which are also affecting American lives.
“Since this debacle has started, every family who has lost a family member to a criminal illegal is a travesty,” said Abbott. “On top of that is the drug epidemic – the fentanyl and the opioids crossing the border – it’s flowing like the Rio Grande, and it’s killing just as many people, probably even more, than the illegals are.”
Defending legal immigrants, Abbott, Edlemon and Meredith said those allowed to enjoy the nation’s benefits, without any consequences for illegally staying and entering the U.S., make a “mockery” of immigrants who wait years to gain legal citizenship.
“We welcome you, as long as you do it the right way,” said Abbott. “That’s what we’re built on … and this is the furthest way we could get from maintaining our sovereignty.”
Rally attendees Ginger and Chuck Hurmence from Lincoln County said they wanted to show their support for remembering Riley’s life, as they both deeply sympathized with the family’s loss.
“Things need to get fixed, because this should not happen to anyone again,” said Chuck Hurmence. “How can anybody call a murder political? Someone’s life was ended … we are all in this together.”
As a mother of four, one of whom is 21 years old, Ginger Hurmence said she could not imagine the pain Riley’s mother and father must be enduring in the aftermath of her death.
“We can really relate to their pain … it is a tragic, tragic situation that Riley had to go through,” she said. “These are children and American citizens, and they should be safe where they go to school. This whole state should be safe.”
Ginger Hurmence said if Athens’ mayor and other local politicians cannot ensure the protection of the state’s children, all should “step down and get out.”
Traveling and driving across the country for Turning Point Action, Wargo said everyone needed to be concerned about illegal aliens, because any of them have the power to drive into any state and commit a crime.
“If we don’t say something now, then no one will say anything ever,” said Wargo. “These people could go anywhere, and all the counties need to be concerned.”
As signs and flags were waved, attendees cheered for change and took turns shouting for Riley’s memory to be kept alive.
“It is our responsibility to make sure this doesn’t happen again,” said Meredith. “Let’s do what it takes to keep America safe, to keep Columbia County safe and to keep Athens-Clarke County safe.”
Another rally in Riley’s honor will be held in Athens, Ga, at 301 College Ave., on Tuesday, March 5, at 5:30 p.m.
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education, lifestyle and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
