On Friday evening and Saturday morning, March 19-20, leaders from approximately twenty patriotic organizations met in Jefferson City, MO. Meetings such as this represent the growing momentum of conservative, grassroots groups around the state. The Franklin County Patriots was one of several organizations that attended from the east side of the state. Other group leaders came from areas of the state such as Joplin, Kansas City, St. Louis, Poplar Bluff, Warrensburg, Farmington, and other communities.
The purpose of the meeting was to unite a sampling of similar organizations to discuss common core values shared by thousands of such groups around the country. The Franklin County Patriots were asked to make a presentation on the founding and effectiveness of their organization. Co-founder Jedidiah Smith gave several key factors that have helped to produce the rapidly growing organizations. Following their presentation, Jeff Merrick from Knob Noster, MO, gave a report on the great success of the newly formed Johnson County Patriots. The group from Knob Noster is seeking to implement the model developed by the Franklin County Patriots.
Like most citizens action groups of this nature, the majority of those attending the meeting were non-partisan in their philosophy. Their allegiance is not to a political party but to principles of small federal government, lower taxes, and governing according to the Constitution.
The meeting of the organization leaders in Jefferson City was timed to coordinate with a candidate forum held on March 20. Every candidate that has filed for the United States Senate Race in Missouri, from all the registered parties, was invited to participate in this forum. This candidate forum was co-sponsored by sixty patriotic organizations from throughout the state of Missouri.
