A veterans rally at the State House on Tuesday in Montgomery to oppose a bill restructuring the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) is still moving forward as planned despite alleged threats of arrest, according to one rally organizer.
Troy Carico, an Army veteran and rally organizer, told 1819 News on Monday afternoon, "Someone representing themself as a representative of the Governor's office" called another rally organizer, threatening to arrest veterans who attended the rally.
Carico said the call came from the number of Jimmetta Gourdine, chief of security with the Alabama Senate.
"She did a merge call with Denise McLarie with the governor's office to pass that information along to us. She is the point of contact that initiated the call. (McLarie) said if you attempt to come here tomorrow…she quantified that for us (she said) I have at least seven armed units that will apprehend you and arrest you," Carico said.
No one responded to a voicemail left by 1819 News with the phone number of the person who allegedly made the threat.
A spokeswoman for Gov. Kay Ivey denied to 1819 News anyone with the governor's office made such a threat. No Denise McLarie is listed on the governor's website as a member of Ivey's staff.
Carico said a rally organizer spoke with Gourdine later on Monday. She said the event was cleared to go on and that she had no knowledge of an earlier call from her number in which someone alleged attendees would be arrested.
"We'll facilitate what we need to do to make this work. We're going to be there," Carico said.
Carico called questions about organizers' lack of a permit to hold the rally a "red herring" because the legislation passed quickly through the State Senate.
"You need a 21-day permit normally to have a rally or anything outside there. We were within the 21 days because the damn Senate ramrodded the bill through," Carico said.
The bill shifts the ADVA commissioner's hiring and firing responsibility to the governor. The role currently answers to the State Board of Veterans Affairs (SBVA). The bill also turns the SBVA into an advisory board.
The legislation still has to pass the House before it can be signed into law by Ivey.
Ivey has maintained the bill will "give our veterans an even stronger voice."
Former ADVA commissioner Kent Davis has said the bill is "retaliation" for his ethics complaint against a member of Ivey's cabinet last year.
The rally will start at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the State House. Speakers include Major General Mike Sumrall, Davis, Pete Riehm, and Shannon McDaniel of the Hunter Whitley Butterfly Initiative.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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