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People from both sides of the political spectrum meet in downtown Chattanooga to discuss the one thing they agree on...seceding from the Union.
It's the 2nd North American Secessionists Convention.
They say the Federal Government is destroying State's rights and personal freedoms and it's time for that to stop.
By definition to "secede" is to withdraw formally from membership in an organization, association or alliance.
The 2nd North American Secessionists Convention says that's a fundamental right, and it's as American as apple pie.
Michael Hill, PhD of The League of the South says, "In 1776 the thirteen American colonies seceded from the British Empire, and if they hadn't done that there would be no country today."
Ten different groups from across the US are part of this convention.
Hill says the idea of secession draws people from all political, ethnic and economic backgrounds.
He says it's the ultimate weapon against tyranny and not having the freedom to secede basically amounts to slavery.
Secessionists say it's not about a divided America... it's about restoring State's rights.
Cory Burnell of the Christian Exodus says, "What constitutes free speech in the local community in terms of pornography and what happens in local schools those certainly should be determined at the state and local level. 10th Amendment reserves those rights for the States and the people. However the Federal Courts haven't seen it that way."
Even a former Republican candidate governor in Georgia believes in secession.
Ray McBerry says an independent Georgia would be safer and stronger.
McBerry says, "Georgians care more about the protection of our borders than most of the bureaucrats in Washington D.C. do. We also care much more about the loss of jobs in Georgia to foreign outsourcing."
Hill says secession may not be viable for the immediate future.
But he says for those who are looking for something better is might be the right choice.
Hill says, "People are looking for a solution. They don't want to continue riding in a big ship that has holes in the sides and is going down under the waves."
The convention is not open to the general public.
However, the Annual League of the South Convention is Friday and Saturday at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
Many of the same ideas will be discussed and the public is welcome.
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