Cleburne County Commissioner Sparks Controversy Ahead of Trump Protest
As Alabama gears up for protests against former President Donald Trump this Saturday, Cleburne County Commissioner Mark Truett has stirred controversy with provocative social media posts. In a Facebook message, he advised friends to arm themselves with pepper spray, suggesting they visit a local store for aerosol hot sauce if “cordless hole punchers” weren’t suitable for them.
Truett’s comments included links to pepper spray products and a map detailing protest locations, leading some, like Jim Sterling from 50501 Calhoun County, to deem the post threatening and potentially inciting violence. Sterling noted that Truett was actively informing his network about the protest preparations and the tools to confront dissenting groups, which he perceived as a menacing call to arms.
In defense of his comments, Truett stated that he advocates for peace on both sides and is primarily concerned for participants’ safety, especially following aggressive past protests. He clarified that “cordless hole puncher” is a euphemism for a gun, a term he felt was necessary to avoid censorship on Facebook. He described firearms as “subcutaneous heavy metal injection devices,” further indicating the veiled references to guns.
Despite his claims of neutrality, the unease surrounding Truett’s messages prompted distress among some community members. One comment referenced unrest in Los Angeles, indicating a perception that southern responses to dissent would be markedly different.
The escalating tensions in Alabama surrounding the upcoming protests have raised questions about the implications of political discourse on social media and community safety as different factions prepare to gather.
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