Bryan Graham Profile picture
Sep 20, 2020 12 tweets 5 min read Read on X
So, I had a weird day yesterday (a thread). At 11:45 am, a convoy of dozens of vehicles (mostly motorcycles and pickup trucks) started circling the parking lot at the only open early polling location in the largest jurisdiction in VA. They had Trump flags, signs, US flags, etc.
This is actually the thing I took the most issue with. They circled the lot for at least 20 minutes revving engines, blaring horns, using bullhorns, and yelling out their windows right next to voters in line. I'd never seen anything like that at a poll. It was ominous.
This apparently was a "Trump Train" that started in Prince William Co. and ended at Fairfax. Here's a link to the video from the start of the event: facebook.com/watch/?v=69661…
When they were done circling the lot, they parked and approached the entrance. This was initially a smaller group that was more directly confronting the line about race before starting a "4 more years" chant. Here is the tail end of that:
This is when the election officials quickly decided to move the line inside the building. I thank the County for its rapid response to the situation. People from the line were yelling back at them. It was just overall not a good situation.
As more Trump supporters arrived at the entrance, they ended up blocking the sidewalk that is the path from the visitor parking lot at the center. They also took down one of our large sample ballot A-frame signs in this mess. No masks.
At this point, the County officials told them that they needed to move from the sidewalk. When they didn't immediately do so, the County called the police. I think that plus additional building security led them to start moving away. This is around then:
This is also when I noticed voters asking for escorts through the group. I know the Co. Executive Bryan Hill walked some people through, we had some volunteers helping, and eventually building security took it over.
The group eventually complied and left the sidewalk and with additional security quickly dissipated around 1 pm.
I've lived in Fairfax County for 15 years, been involved as an election officer, a Democratic precinct captain, District, and now County Chair. I've never seen anything like this. I would never ask our volunteers to do anything like this.
None of this story is meant to provoke fear. Yes, electioneering is allowed in Virginia, but large groups chanting at voters, and circling convoys of vehicles, is not normal. I only mention any of it so we can be prepared. Trump supporters do not want you to vote.
Resolve to #Vote; early if you can. If you're here in Fairfax Co. go to FfxVotes.org for voter into. Everywhere else go to iwillvote.com. And if you want to support our efforts in VA's largest county, give at ffxde.ms/donate

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