150 demand senator show proof State of the State protesters were paid

Chanting "Bailey, can you hear us?" and "We pay you," over 150 protesters filled the halls of the statehouse demanding evidence from a Republican lawmaker who said protesters at Gov. Bill Haslam’s State of the State speech were paid to be there.

State Sen. Paul Bailey, R-Sparta, sent out a tweet shortly after the speech on Jan. 30 saying that “several of the protesters admitted” to having been paid to be at the Capitol. The governor's annual address drew hundreds of protesters outside the House chamber as they spoke out about President Donald Trump, gun legislation, Black Lives Matter and women’s health. The loosely organized demonstrators reminded lawmakers "We are watching" to hold them accountable.

Link to tweet

Later in the week when pressed by fellow lawmakers and media to provide additional proof, Bailey doubled down on his claim but declined to provide his source or any additional evidence.

Link to tweet

Claims of paid protesters have been used by conservative outlets nationwide to discredit demonstrations. On Friday, Trump sent out a tweet saying that “professional anarchists, thugs and paid protesters” were behind protests at the University of California-Berkeley last week.

Link to tweet

Read more: http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2017/02/06/150-demand-senator-show-proof-state-state-protesters-were-paid/97556640/