Today, The Unity Express team went to Little Rock, Arkansas to express condolences to the Arkansas Democratic Party on behalf of all Georgia Democrats. The Arkansas Democratic Party lost their fearless leader, Senator Bill Gwatney, by a single violent act of assassination. Yesterday, Senator Bill Gwatney was buried and the State of Arkansas lost a strong fighter for democratic values and beliefs.
Our intentions were to purchase flowers and a card and drop them off to the Party HQ's staff. When we arrived it was quite different. We were greeted at the front door by Donell Meadows (Party staff member), Bill Gwatney's brother, and Bill Gwatney's mother. This was the first time Bill's family had been to the HQ since the attack and we were the first visitors to pay our respect at the HQ.
It felt like we were at a wake. The way we all stood in single file line and hugged his mother and the way she hugged on so tight to each of us. His brother was visibly shaken by our encounter and was very grateful that we came all the way from Georgia to give support to their family. It was an emotional experience that we will never forget.
Stopping at the Arkansas Party started out as small gesture but ended up being so deeply more. We were proud to be Georgia Democrats. That’s what's this trip is about - caring, loving, and sharing with Democrats as one big united family.
We'll be updating our main site later tonight. We'll be in Dallas in an about an hour to hang out with some Dallas Young Democrats.
5 Responses to “Paying respect as Georgia Democrats”
Thanks for this Bernita & thanks for visiting and paying your respects Guys. I know it means more than you can know. It's just an irredeemably sad tragedy for all of us Dems , especially in the South. JMP
You make all Georgia Democrats proud with your visit in Little Rock HQ. In fact, with the whole trip. Thank you.
I'll 2nd Catherine... I'm really proud to have you all representing me across the South. It was fortuitous that you were there when the family first visited, especially as Young Democrats. The Arkansas party embraces their YDs with a fervor not seen anywhere else in the nation, and I know we in GA have borrowed more than a few ideas from Gary (their Timmy) and the gang there. Love reading your trip blog!
I'll 2nd Catherine... I'm really proud to have you all representing me across the South. It was fortuitous that you were there when the family first visited, especially as Young Democrats. The Arkansas party embraces their YDs with a fervor not seen anywhere else in the nation, and I know we in GA have borrowed more than a few ideas from Gary (their Timmy) and the gang there. Love reading your trip blog!
Way to go guys, thank you!