Protestors at Moore rally aim to send a message: Alabama not 100 percent behind candidate

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More than 70 women gathered at Oak Hollow Farms tonight, many cloaked in hoods and robes resembling characters from the television series, “The Handmaid’s Tale.”

Their goal, many said, was not to change the minds of voters entering the Roy Moore rally, but rather to assure the rest of the world that not all of Alabama is behind the twice-removed judge as he runs for the U.S. Senate.

“We want the rest of the nation to know that all of Alabama does not support Roy Moore,” said Ginger Poynter, of Daphne. “We believe the women.”

The women are part of a nationwide movement called The Handmaids' Resistance. Their protests, and costumes, are inspired by the television show, "The Handmaid's Tale," the story of a dystopia where women are silenced.

Tonya Trytten, of Fairhope, said she has long been involved in local politics and attended the protest because she was appalled that people would vote for Moore simply because he was a republican.

“I’m embarrassed for Alabama,” she said. “I want other people to know there are a lot of good people here who will not vote for him.”

As the crowd gathered inside the barn at Oak Hollow Farm, a handful of women stood outside with their heads bowed. Media members encircled the group and jostled for interviews and photos.

A man burst through the group and shouted, “Fake news!” He shook a stack of papers in the air and told the crowd he had proof that CNN paid for protestors to appear at rallies.

Moments later a man with a “staff” button told the women the rally was a private function and that they were causing a scene and had to leave. The women asked why and he told them again they were causing a scene and needed to leave or it would be turned over to the authorities.

The man shouting fake news, later identified as Romeo Ryan, of Birmingham, was not asked to leave.

Officers led the women to the end of the driveway at Oak Hollow where their numbers grew. There were reports later in the evening of protestors being removed from inside the barn. Those protestors did not appear to be part of the organized gathering of women.

Ryan said he follows “Brother Moore” to rallies all over Alabama. He said the judge reminds him of Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Lincoln.

“No other politician today that I’ve heard talks about the Lord and the Constitution like they did, only Brother Moore,” Ryan said. He added that he did not have proof that the women at tonight’s Moore rally were hired to appear there.

“I don’t know them,” he said.

At the end of the road leading to Oak Hollow the women chanted, “We want a senator not a predator” and “Shame, Shame.” Many cars honked in support as they passed the women.

One man jumped out of his truck and attempted to confront the group. Nearby officers urged him to move on.

Poynter said she does not believe the protest will change any hearts in the voting booth.

“I believe people would come out and vote for him if he was caught today having sex with a 14-year-old girl,” she said. “This protest is to let the rest of the world know that not all of Alabama is ignorant.”