The presence of former Virginia Senator George Allen at the Fairfax County Republican Committee’s fourth annual “unity rally” in Alexandria Saturday outraged some in the audience.
The rally, held at Edison High School, was designed to reach out to minorities in anticipation of the Nov. 4 presidential election between Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama. Allen’s bid for re-election in 2006 was derailed, in part, by allegations he used a racial slur in referring to a campaign worker of opponent Jim Webb.
Just prior to Allen’s taking the stage, Victoria Leavelle and Nancy Hwa stood up, blowing whistles and shouting “George Allen is a racist!” before being escorted out of the auditorium amidst boos and shouts of “USA! USA!”
“You pick George Allen to be one of your spokespeople? What are you thinking?” Hwa said afterward, calling the choice “offensive.”
Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez was one of many other prominent Republican figures — including John McCain’s brother Joe McCain, Rep. Frank Wolf and former Virginia governor John Gilmore — to speak at the event, arguing that John McCain understands the interests of minorities.
“We can all tell where we stand with someone who … understands diversity,” said Gutierrez, who was born in Cuba. “He respects our community and believes in our community. He’s always been with us — always, always, always.”
Norman Atkins of the Holmes Run Acres Civic Association in Falls Church, who was in the audience, said he thought the turnout for the event was good and that he enjoyed Joe McCain’s speech.
“McCain’s little brother is a powerful spokesman,” he said.
Banners in the school’s auditorium indicated representation from Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, Chinese and Hispanic Republican organizations in Virginia.
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