A wide contingent of citizens from around the state gathered at the State Capitol in Columbia on Tuesday morning to demand state legislators and the governor to “open up the state”. The event was organized and coordinated by Pressley Stutts of Greenville. Stutts is a retired Navy Chaplain and businessman living in Greenville.
Pressley Stutts, founder of United Patriots Alliance at SC Statehouse
Stutts said that the coalition of groups decided that it was “time to come together as leaders to speak to the legislature not with one voice, but with many voices.” He commented that the state of South Carolina has been shut down for over six months and that “people are suffering.”
The United Patriots Alliance, is a coalition of many separate organizations, groups and businessmen representing over 250,000 citizens around the state. Stutts said, the groups “came together in unity to call on the legislature to overturn the restrictions on businesses and citizens across the state.” They are “ready for state legislators to free the state from “tyranny” according to the leaders.
The crowd of 120 plus in attendance was ignited with fiery speeches outside the statehouse on the Southern steps. Joining up the Alliance were Republican state legislators Stewart Jones from Laurens, Josiah Magnuson from Spartanburg, and Bobby Cox from Greenville.
Representative Stewart Jones, Republican from Laurens, said that he was, “proud to stand with those calling for an end to this unconstitutional state of emergency!”
Jones said that while some in the media are calling them “anti-mask protesters” they neglect to mention the many issues that were addressed on the steps of the Statehouse. Among other issues were:
- Loss of God given freedoms
- Depression and suicide increasing by over 300% since January
- Human trafficking skyrocketing
- Heartbeat Bill not making it through the Senate
- No accountability of government schools
- Corona virus being incentivized and used to promote political agendas
- Inaccurate numbers and falsified death certificates
- Added regulations and stress on small businesses
“The trickle down effects of pulling the legs out from under the economy will actually do more harm in the long run than the virus itself,” said Jones.
Erik Corcoran of SC We the People, inside SC State Capitol.
Also among them was Erik Corcoran, founder of We the People SC. Corcoran led the crowd of citizens inside the statehouse in prayer, and then led them in singing God Bless America.
The group was warned after singing that if they sang or chanted again they would be arrested and subject to stiff fines. Stutts commented that the irony is that “if we looted, beat the crap out of people and burn things down like BLM and Antifa do with their “peaceful protests,” they’d probably let us go!”
Corcoran commented that it is important to “challenge everything”. He said that “when we challenge [state legislators] with honor, dignity and respect, and with passion” things happen.
Chad Caton
We the People founder, Corcoran, an Irishman who became a US citizen, said “it’s phone calls, email’s, and it’s showing up to speak with the legislators that gets things done. It all matters!” He said that “too often people get a lie in their head that they can’t be effective.” He said, “all of our activism counts.” He continued that “this country was built on patriots who fought for their freedom.”
Stutts iterated that many state legislators are supportive, but it will take pressure on them all to pass relief from unconstitutional executive orders and business close downs. Stutts said “all but a few legislators avoided the citizens. The message came through loud and clear that they really don’t care what we think.”
“People are going to write about 2020 like they write about other big historical events,” Corcoran said, of the movement to restore Constitutionally guaranteed freedoms throughout SC and the country. The Irishman said at the statehouse that “it is the commitment, and passion of the people that will convince the state officials to open up the state and remove the call for mask wearing.”
Chad Caton, Horry County resident and talk show host said it’s important that citizens “show up, stand up and speak up.” He concluded that “It’s our Republic and we’re fighting for it in Columbia, South Carolina.”
Stutts concluded “we are united as one voice.”
Michael Reed is Editor of The Standard.
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