New Haven GOP fundraiser focuses on future as tea party protests GOP fundraiser focuses on future as tea party protesters slam RINOs

Tea party supporters, including Zeqir Berisha of Waterbury, protest on College Street outside the Owl Shop Thursday in New Haven, where top GOP leaders met for a private fundraiser. Tea party supporters, including Zeqir Berisha of Waterbury, protest on College Street outside the Owl Shop Thursday in New Haven, where top GOP leaders met for a private fundraiser. Photo: Peter Casolino — New Haven Register Photo: Peter Casolino — New Haven Register Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close New Haven GOP fundraiser focuses on future as tea party protests 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

NEW HAVEN >> The Republican National Committee chairman told a smoky room packed with ambitious Republicans the mantra they’re hoping to make a reality in 2014.

They can “turn Connecticut red again, like Connecticut always was,” Reince Priebus said in the closed event, which brought about 170 Republicans to a private fundraiser Thursday night. They are going to be a party that doesn’t just show up every four years, but in every race.

While Priebus and Republicans from throughout the state and facets of politics spoke amongst themselves of strategies and policy, division in their party showed itself in the form of about 25 protesters gathered across the street.

Demonstrators rallied with American flags and signs, chanting in unison loudly across the street from The Owl Shop, where the fundraiser was held, against the party they said was infringing on their rights — though those inside the event paid no notice, the outside chants inaudible.

The actual event inside the shop was closed to the public, with a minimum $125 donation for the party’s federal political action committee.

The protesters were a mix of tea party conservatives, concerned with the direction of the Republican Party and angry with Republicans supporting increased gun control measures — breaking their oaths both as Republicans elected by the people, and the Constitution.

They chanted such slogans as “Gun grabbers must go,” “McKinney must go,” “Oath breakers must go,” “Defend the constitution” and “We want the bill repealed.”

Many gun-rights activists have targeted state Senate Minority Leader John McKinney of Fairfield, who is running for governor, for his work and vote on the gun control bill that passed the General Assembly last year.

Joe Visconti, a gubernatorial hopeful and staunch supporter of the tea party and gun rights, was on both sides of the event Thursday — standing with the protesters and also meeting with those inside the invent.

Visconti said the current Republican Party in Connecticut and nationally needed to work on the message and branding of the party itself — that it was experiencing a kind of identity crisis. The party won’t grow or win elections when it isn’t true to what its messaging is, he said.

“The Republican Party basically sold out on the Republican platform,” he said. “How can you trust Republicans if they don’t abide by their party platform?”

Votes on such things as gun control legislation show that members in the Republican Pparty say they are Republicans in name only — RINOs — as after they take their oath, they are willing to pander to whatever is most popular to stay in office and disobey the party’s traditional values, protesters said.

He said the conservative values of the tea party used to be the values of the Republican Party, but tea party members are now being left in the cold, being expected to support the party, but not receiving support from the party.

Zeqir Berisha has lived in this country for 44 years, but said the rhetoric and decisions of the current state of American affairs remind him too much of the communism he experienced in the former Soviet Union.

Protest organizers handed out “McKinney must Go” signs.

“When he took his oath, he promoted to uphold his oath and the Constitution, and when he voted for the gun bill, he basically turned around and violated the Constitution,” said Robert Vincent of Wallingford.

By the time McKinney exited the fundraiser, the protest had disbanded. He said he was there for the fundraiser for the federal PAC.

“There can be differing of opinions in a party, and that’s not a bad thing. But at the end of the day, there’s a lot to be agreed on and we unite when the time comes. There’s still a long way to go,” McKinney said.

Connecticut Republican Party Chairman Jerry Labriola Jr. echoed Priebus’ sentiment that the time for Connecticut Republicans is now.

“The message is clear: the Democrats cannot fix Connecticut’s economy and its time to turn to Republican candidates,” Labriola said.

Many inside the Owl Shop event, including Labriola, didn’t take issue with the protest across the street.

“I get their point, I get where they’re coming from. We agree on a lot of the same issues, not all. We embrace them, we embrace everyone,” said state Rep. John Frey R-Ridgefield, who organized the event. “They’re just regular people concerned about spending in their state — and I think everyone in the state should be concerned about that.”

As the event came to an end, Republicans posed for photos outside with Priebus, who didn’t answer questions as he was taken away to a waiting car.

Call Jennifer Swift at 203-789-5615. Have questions, feedback or ideas about our news coverage? Connect directly with the editors of the New Haven Register at AskTheRegister.com.