A Republican candidate for Senate in Virginia over the weekend led a protest against the Red Hen restaurant in Lexington after it asked White House press secretary Sarah Sanders to leave last month.
“Leading Rally in Front of Red Hen in Lexington, VA!!” said a video of the rally streamed live to Stewart’s Facebook page above a link to donate to his campaign.
“We’re here to send a message to the Red Hen! We’re here to send a message to Virginia! And we’re here to send a message to the United States,” said Stewart outside the restaurant. “And that message is: We support President Trump!”
The crowd roared in approval, chanting “USA! USA! USA!” and “Build the wall! Build the wall! Build the wall!”
#Breaking Huge crowd of patriots arrives in Lexington with @CoreyStewartVA to protest Red Hen! pic.twitter.com/ld064iIKFm
— Jack Posobiec?? (@JackPosobiec) July 1, 2018
Heard @realDonaldTrump on Fox this morning talking about our rally outside the Red Hen yesterday with the Bikers for Trump!! pic.twitter.com/ODYir9ARYf
— Corey Stewart (@CoreyStewartVA) July 1, 2018
Stewart, who’s been questioned for months over his ties to the far-right, is known for his enthusiastic support of Trump and Southern heritage, including the Confederate flag and Civil War monuments, the Washington Post reported.
Some have been critical of the types of characters the rally drew.
‘Civility’ outside the Red Hen restaurant. pic.twitter.com/qo5sipnPe4
— Greg Hogben (@MyDaughtersArmy) June 27, 2018
“‘Civility’ outside the Red Hen restaurant,” tweeted author Greg Hogben with an image of a protester holding a sign reading: “LGBT: LET GOD BURN THEM!”
