Republican organizations in Alabama are adjusting how they host political events after recent protests disrupted a town hall with Congressman Barry Moore (R-AL).
On Thursday, the Republican Women of Madison County held an event at Movement Church in Madison, Alabama, featuring Congressman Dale Strong (R-AL) as the keynote speaker.
Strong spoke about his career, from serving as Madison County Commissioner to his current role in the U.S. House of Representatives, and about his work supporting President Donald Trump’s agenda, including the recently passed One Big Beautiful Law.
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The event came just days after another Republican lawmaker, Congressman Barry Moore of Enterprise, Alabama, faced a protest during a town hall in Daphne.
The disruptions prompted the Madison County group to change its original plan of opening the Strong event to the public.
Protests targeting Republican lawmakers have increased in Alabama in recent weeks.
On July 16, the Republican Women of Madison County announced on Facebook that Strong would be their speaker.
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Once they caught wind of the event, left-leaning groups such as Indivisible, 50501, and Madison County Democrats began planning demonstrations.
Similar organizations, including Indivisible Baldwin County, were behind protests at Moore’s town hall.
At Daphne City Hall, Moore encountered a vocal crowd that booed and heckled him as he answered questions.
Many of the demonstrators were affiliated with progressive organizations or local Democratic groups. Moore, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, defended his record and addressed the interruptions directly.
“My constituents asked me to do town halls, so I did four across my district while Congress was out of session,” Moore told AL.com following the event.
“We showed up, listened, and answered questions directly. Alabamians deserve leaders who are willing to have tough conversations. I’ll always answer to the folks I serve. That’s what accountability looks like.”
Citing the disruptions at Moore’s event, Republican Women of Madison County president Sheila Banister explained the last-minute change for the Strong gathering.
“After seeing what happened with Barry Moore recently, after much discussion and prayer, we decided to close the event to only our members, local Republican members in the area, and their guests,” Banister said.
“And so that’s what we decided to do. It was very last minute, but going back to our mission, our first mission is to educate our own group, and it’s important that we’re able to have a good, open dialogue with Congressman Strong.”
The private setting meant that protestors who arrived at Movement Church were not permitted inside.
Banister noted the decision was necessary to ensure the group could conduct its event without disruption.
The Madison Police Department was present to enforce the rules of the venue, which is privately owned.
The incident reflects growing tensions between Alabama Republicans and progressive organizations that have sought to challenge them at public events.
While demonstrators outside the Madison event carried signs and chanted slogans, they were unable to gain entry after the rules were changed.
Congressman Strong proceeded with his remarks to attendees inside, focusing on his legislative work and on advancing Trump’s policy goals in Washington.
The event concluded without interruption.
The series of events underscores how both Republican lawmakers and grassroots conservative groups in Alabama are adapting in response to protest activity.
While elected officials like Moore continue to hold open town halls, private groups are increasingly limiting public access to ensure that their events can proceed as planned.
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