U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions headed to Macon, sparking protest rally

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions will visit Macon on Thursday, and protestors are expected outside.

The former Alabama senator is reportedly going to meet with law enforcement officers downtown at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia. He will “deliver remarks on efforts to combat violent crime in America,” according to a news release. He also will address the media.

Georgia Women (And Those Who Stand With Us) plans to protest beginning at 8:30 a.m. at 300 Mulberry Street near the federal courthouse and Gateway Plaza.

“Middle Georgia is a very diverse area, and we have worked hard to develop a community with love and respect for all,” said Claire Cox, who is organizing the rally. “We feel the policies of the administration enforced by Jeff Sessions go against that.”

Cox said President Donald Trump’s zero-tolerance immigration policy that has resulted in children being separated from parents at the U.S. border and the new Department of Justice Religious Liberty Task Force launched last week are her two main concerns.

The task force is aimed at protecting religious beliefs, but critics are concerned about it favoring the rights of Christians over other faiths, the Associated Press reported.

“The Religious Liberty Task Force grows out of ... driving religions apart and driving people apart more than it has the desire to make our community a better place,” Cox said.

She plans to have faith leaders at Thursday’s protest. Speakers will be featured as the protestors are expected to stay throughout Sessions’ visit.

“This will be a peaceful demonstration,” she said.

Not many details of Sessions’ itinerary have been released. In addition to the Macon visit, Sessions was expected Wednesday evening at Lake Oconee.

Security is expected to be tight as Sessions travels through Middle Georgia.

This story was originally published August 8, 2018 at 9:54 AM.