It’s shaping up to be the closest thing Alabama’s seen to a Republican-led town hall lately — only, there won’t be one.

U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, will speak at a private, closed-door luncheon hosted by the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, but the event is expected to spark public demonstrations.

While Moore keeps things behind closed doors, nearly 90 people are expected to gather outside for what the Baldwin County Democratic Party is calling a “peaceful” protest. In return, the Baldwin County Republican Party has organized a dueling “America First” rally.

In the heart of Foley, officials anticipate a politically charged afternoon. And despite tensions, local officials are urging calm.

“We expect all citizens to be respectful in their activities of expressing their rights under the law,” said Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich.

Dueling rallies

The dueling events come as public town halls have largely vanished from Republican calendars across the country, following a wave of heated and even chaotic moments.

Just this week, GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley was met with jeers in Iowa. And in Georgia on Tuesday, a town hall with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene ended with several arrests and two people being stunned by a Taser.

Alabama Republicans have largely avoided the public since President Donald Trump was sworn into office in January. The most vocal demand for a public town hall has come from North Alabama where U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, R-Huntsville, has opted for telephone town halls and not in-person events.

Strong’s 5th congressional district trails only a handful of congressional districts in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia for having the most federal government workers. With the aggressive action taken by the Trump Administration to downsize the federal workforce, worried North Alabama residents and activist groups have been critical of Strong for being a no-show.

In Baldwin County, a Republican stronghold experiencing rapid growth, Democratic supporters are planning to voice their opposition to the Trump Administration and the lack of congressional support.

“We want him to stand up for our rights as Americans,” said Robyn Monaghan, chair of the Baldwin County Democratic Party who organized the rally.

Monaghan said the party will pass around a microphone to allow people to hear stories about how the Trump agenda’s policies have affected them and “destroyed quality of life for people you know.”

She said she was surprised to learn that the Baldwin County GOP was participating in a counter event at the same time and at the same location.

“I was not aware of that,” Monaghan said after informed about the Republican rally, adding that she was not informed about the GOP rally while “working closely with the Foley Police Department” over planning.

“We’re making sure it’s lawful, peaceful, and respectful,” Monaghan said.

Kathy Morelock, chair of the Baldwin County Republican Party, said their “America First” rally is intended to show support of Moore’s commitment to advance Trump’s agenda.

Moore, a member of the conservative U.S. House Freedom Caucus, boasts a 99% rating with the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), a testament to his conservative credentials.

He was elected to represent the 1st congressional district that includes Baldwin County and the conservative Wiregrass region, last year. The district ranks in the Top 10 for being the most conservative in the U.S. House.

“Like most Americans, we are in favor of securing our border, cutting wasteful spending, ferreting out and eliminating fraud and abuse, reducing taxes, protecting women’s sports, and a host of other priorities that put our citizens, our children and our country first,” Morelock said.

Keeping peace

The rallies are expected to begin between 10 to 11 a.m. and last until 1:30 p.m.

David Wilson, executive director of public safety with the City of Foley, said police will be available to ensure the activities outside the Civic Center are peaceful.

“Anytime you have a political official come to an event, you always stand the chance of somebody making some type of protest,” Wilson said. “On this particular event, we do expect some protesters and have talked with and coordinated with these organizations so that everything stays orderly.”

Foley Police Chief Thurston Bullock said there are no plans to keep the two groups separated from each other in two different areas.

“We ask each side to be respectful of each other’s views and demonstrate peacefully,” Bullock said. “Disorder of any type will not be tolerated in order to keep this event safe for all involved.”

Bullock said that Foley City Hall, which is next to the Civic Center, will remain open and that “citizens will be coming and going to conduct business, and that cannot be interrupted in the process of demonstrating.”

Parking is also limited on and around the vicinity.