Over 1,200 grassroots activists packed into a ballroom at the Gwinnett Place Marriott this past Saturday to hear from nationally syndicated radio personality and Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity, Faith and Freedom Coalition chairman Ralph Reed, six gubernatorial candidates, members of Congress, and other national headliners, including Lt. Colonel Oliver North and Jon Voight.

The major purpose behind the Freedom Rally was to formally launch the Georgia state affiliate of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, a new grassroots venture that is sweeping the country, forming chapters from coast to coast.  Reed also unveiled VoterTrak, the organization’s new online organizational tool, which will be used over the next decade to build a database of 10 million conservative voters.

Sean Hannity, who was in town for the Atlanta stop of his Freedom Concert tour, said to the enthused crowd: “I have a message for Barack Obama: No you can’t.”

The crowd waved American flags, sang patriotic songs, and held aloft signs that read: “Faith” and “Freedom.”  The activists spilled out into the lobby and filled the ballroom to capacity.

Reed spoke about the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s strategy for building a grassroots organization in all 50 states, focused on contacting elected officials on timely issues and legislation, registering voters, and identifying other voters who support conservative causes and candidates.  Every attendee at the rally was asked to commit to identify 25-50 voters utilizing FFC’s proprietary software, VoterTrak.

“Because you are taking a stand and opposing Obamacare, the pundits and Washington politicians have smeared you, called you names, and accused you of being evil and un-American,” proclaimed Reed to cheers.  “But I’ve got some news for them.  We will not be intimidated, we will not be silent, and we will not go away.”  Reed also pledged to “offer a bold, conservative alternative to the Obama agenda” and “build bridges to those who have not always felt welcome in our ranks: Hispanics, African-Americans, women, young people, and seniors.”

Jack St. Martin, chief operating officer of FFC, announced that the group started 42 local and online chapters in Georgia, and also had activists from North Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, Florida, and South Carolina in attendance who had expressed an interest in building FFC in their states.  A grassroots workshop attended by over 100 FFC activists took place after the rally to train volunteers and leaders.

After the rally and grassroots training workshop, hundreds of the attendees headed to the Gwinnett Arena for the Freedom Concert.

Great Photos From The Event

Sean Hannity Addresses The Freedom Rally Crowd