Under georgia constitution local governments have the power to control local issues. this policy is called public safety home rule infrastructure

The policy of "home rule" means that the goverment of a certain zone (or colony, or state, or country) is in the hands -or in the power- of its own citizens. In the case of a state, this means the local government can control certain issues, below the federal level. For example, issues related to: public health, safety, welfare.

i also think he is correct. i believe they came to washington to protest their rights.