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GOP club vows to have non-Republicans arrested if they attend meeting

By Lightning Reports, Published: April 18, 2025

The leader of the Henderson County Republican Men’s Club is threatening to have police arrest "anyone who is not a registered Republican" if they try to attend or protest outside of a club meeting where U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards is scheduled to speak.

Edwards agreed to be the guest speaker at the Men’s Club at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at American Legion Post 77, 214 Fourth Ave. W., the club announced last week. In an updated announcement he issued Friday, club president Bruce Hatfield assured club members that disruption would not be tolerated.

“Regarding security for this event, the Legion is private property," he said. "Anyone who is not a registered Republican for this event will be arrested. We contacted the Hendersonville Police Department requesting an officer to be present at our event. They responded that we would have to pay for two off-duty officers a minimum of three hours each — over $50/hour. We refused to be intimidated, and will have the police department on speed dial should any disruptor attempt to trespass (on) the private property and this restricted event.”

Hatfield said in an interview Friday that "we pay taxes for this kind of thing" and confirmed that the club refused to pay for off-duty officers.
"If they try to get on Legion property, that's private property," he said of any protesters. "If they're across the street, there's nothing we can do. We won't tolerate any disruption during Chuck's presentation."
Citing the raucous crowd at Edwards's town hall meeting last month in Asheville, Hatfield said: "We've gotta take a stand. We're not gonna let that happen this time."
 
Elected to the state Senate in 2016, Edwards served three terms before defeating incumbent Madison Cawthorn in a Republican primary and winning the 11th Congressional District seat in 2022. As a freshman, he was selected to serve on both the Appropriations and Budget committees, a rare assignment for a first-termer. Since Hurricane Helene struck last Sept. 27, Edwards has been the highest profile member of Congress fighting for disaster relief in Western North Carolina.
 
All registered Republicans are invited to attend the Men's Club meeting, the club says. Membership signup is available at the meeting. Annual dues are $30 for men, $15 for women. A breakfast buffet is available for $13 cash payable at the door.  Because a large attendance is expected for the meeting, those planning to attend should register by contacting Hatfield at noirs@aol.com or 828-329-4971 by noon  Monday, May 5.